When Event #18: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Double Stack at Harrah's Cherokee began, the players that made up the 468 entries it brought in knew that by night's end, someone would be in a room full of empty tables and stacked chairs.
Tonight, after 21 years in the game chasing a piece of WSOP hardware, David Dowdy sits behind the last stack of chips in the tournament as the winner of his first career circuit ring!
Dowdy is no stranger to the WSOP. He's got cashes dating back to 2009 and six final tables on his resume, but the hardware had always eluded him, including in a 2022 bracelet event where he fell just one spot shy of glory.
This one is perhaps extra special after getting heads up with the lead and losing a couple all-ins from ahead for the ring, cutting him all the way down to five big blinds. Preston McEwen was on the rail for Dowdy for the win and he came in handy as he Dowdy credited him with helping him not tilt when he lost those all-ins to be left with dust.
With McEwen on the rail down the stretch, Dowdy rallied back, retook the lead and got the rest of the chips in the middle holding a dominating hand that held up this time, locking the victory up for Dowdy who wore the relief and joy of the win all over his face.
Dowdy mentioned how good it felt to "finally get the monkey off his back" as he sat for pictures with his new piece of jewelry and, of course, Preston.
For his win, David takes home the ring, the 2025 WSOP Tournament of Champions seat and $29,268.
Final Table Payouts:
- 1. David Dowdy - $29,268
- 2. Daniel Martin - $19,519
- 3. Kenneth Stuart - $13,552
- 4. Jerry Robinson - $9,597
- 5. Cuba Levenberry - $6,935
- 6. John Korsedal - $5,116
- 7. Carlos Barbosa - $3,854
- 8. Michael Mestey - $2,966
- 9. Timothy Bishop - $2,334
- 10. Richard Fowlkes - $1,878
Congratulations to David Dowdy on his break through WSOP Circuit victory!