Connecticut’s Soheb Porbandarwala showcased his poker prowess once again, clinching his 12th World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) ring with an impressive victory at the prestigious WSOPC Horseshoe Hammond Main Event. The culmination of intense competition and strategic gameplay, Porbandarwala’s triumph earned him a substantial prize of $257,725, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable force in the poker world.
Spanning from February 29th to March 11th, the WSOP Hammond stop held in the vibrant Chicago area was a riveting spectacle, featuring over a dozen ring events that collectively generated an impressive $4.1 million in prize pools. Among the highlights of the series were the $400 opening event, which boasted five starting flights, and the exhilarating $2,200 High Roller tournament that marked the grand finale.
Porbandarwala’s journey to victory was marked by resilience and skill, particularly evident from Day 2 onwards, where he navigated through a field of seasoned contenders with precision and composure. The final table was a battleground of talent, featuring notable players such as Adam Greenberg (4th – $90,360), Richard Bai (5th – $69,039), and Brian Altman (8th – $32,639), each vying for their share of glory.
In addition to the remarkable victory of Soheb Porbandarwala, other players also etched their names in WSOP history by securing coveted Circuit rings during the Hammond stop. Thomas Hahne from Illinois emerged victorious in Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold’em, claiming a substantial prize of $119,757. New Jersey’s Evan Pantano triumphed in Event #5: $400 Monster Stack, pocketing $49,194, while Chicago’s George Ceko emerged victorious in Event #7: $400 No-Limit Hold’em, seizing a prize of $39,006 along with a $1,700 seat into the Hammond Main Event.
The series was not without its share of near-misses and triumphs. Michael Moncek, a four-time ring winner and two-time bracelet winner, narrowly missed clinching his seventh WSOP hardware, finishing as the runner-up in Event #14: $400 No-Limit Hold’em 8-Handed. Meanwhile, Kevin Eyster, a veteran grinder, added another accolade to his illustrious career by securing his fifth ring in Event #15: $2,200 High Roller.
With the conclusion of the Hammond stop, attention now turns to the upcoming WSOP Circuit event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in New York, scheduled to take place from March 14th to March 25th. Concurrently, the WSOPC Tulsa stop continues to captivate poker enthusiasts until March 18th, promising more exhilarating action and memorable poker moments.
Ed Acteson is a highly experienced iGaming writer with 15 years experience working in the betting industry as a trader, odds compiler and content writer. He is a specialist in sportsbook and casino content.
He has written for a range of gambling websites, including the Colossus Bets blog and We Love Betting and has a degree in Film Studies from the University of Kent.
