Sam Washburn Wins 2018 WSOP Circuit Tunica Main Event

Sam Washburn has won the 2018 World Series of Poker Circuit Tunica $1,675 no-limit hold’em main event. The 57-year-old retired power plant instrument technician from Yellville, Arkansas outlasted a field of 597 to secure his first tournament title and the top prize of $188,068.

At the final table Washburn overcame a number of tough opponents in Scott Stewart, Kyle Cartwright, Jake Bazeley and Nick Pupillo, who collectively combine for over $8.3 million in live tournament earnings, 15 WSOPC gold rings, and a WSOP bracelet.

“I wasn’t intimidated. I have played with a lot of pros in cash for years over in Oklahoma, so playing with the pros doesn’t intimidate me. I know they’re good, I know they push and that they are very aggressive,” Washburn told WSOP reporters.

Washburn eliminated Pupllo in eight place ($21,958) and Cartwright in 5th ($47,488) to take a lead into four-handed action.Scott Stewart eliminated Jim Naifeh in 4th place ($63,115) and Henry Nguyen in 3rd ($85,055) to take a 3.5-to-1 lead into heads-up play. Washburn doubled up on the first hand to even things out, and shortly afterward won the key pot of the tournament when his J10 won an all-in preflop battle against Stewart’s AK. Stewart was left with less than a big blind after Washburn made a straight on the turn and was eliminated soon after, earning $116,316 as the runner-up finisher.

Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded at this final table: