WSOP-C Tulsa

WSOPC Tulsa Main Event Champion John Dollinger

A new WSOP Circuit Main Event champion has been crowned here in Tulsa. John Dollinger was the last player standing from a field 487 to win his second WSOP Circuit ring and the top prize of $147,178. Today’s win is Dollinger’s best WSOP cash to date, surpassing a runner-up finish in the WSOPC Harrah’s New Orleans Main Event back in 2016.

Dollinger came into the final table in third place. His final table included two Circuit ring winners from this series, with Event #11 winner Andy Robinson falling in seventh place before Dollinger defeated Event #9: $400 Double Stack winner Russell Brooks heads up.

Russell Brooks

“It does feel really good” Dollinger mentioned following the victory. “I haven’t won an event in nine years. It’s my first time in Tulsa. I flew in Friday and came just to play one tournament, and I already booked my flight going back tonight. So I kind of just planned on winning, and came out here and won it. It feels good.”

Dollinger recently played in the WSOPC Circuit in Graton, where he was frustrated with how things went.

“When there were 50 players left in Graton I was chip leader, and then I went out around 40^th place. And the reason I busted was sort of my fault, because I talked someone into calling me. The guy who knocked me out went on to win the tournament and I told him I would win the next one.”

When asked what helped him prepare for the Main Event, Dollinger cited his competitive nature.

“I’m very competitive. A few times I’ve got second place and I’m not even happy. I love winning,  I love competing and there’s nothing more competitive than poker. Everyone has the same deck and we all start with the same stack. Doesn’t matter where you’re from, a check is a check, a bet is a bet. It’s kind of a universal game.”

Before closing out the winner’s interview Dollinger touched on his own personal growth.

“I’d like the world to know that I’m sober. And I’m staying sober. This is the new version of me. I’m very excited about the future, honestly.”

WSOP Circuit Tulsa Main Event Final Table Results

1. John Dollinger - $147,178
2. Russell Brooks - $98,109
3. Iman Alsaden - $67,346
4. James Jewell - $47,149
5. Yordanos Mebrahtu - $33,679
6. Kiran Suresh - $24,555
7. Andy Robinson - $18,282
8. Marvin Donaldson - $13,906
9. Matt Riffel - $10,811
10. Eric Bunch - $8,594

Russell Brooks

John Dollinger opened to 275,000 from the button and Russell Brooks defended from the big blind.

The flop came and Dollinger checked. Brooks bet 400,000 and Dollinger check-raised to 1,200,000. Brooks shoved for just over 4,00,000 and Dollinger called with a covering stack.

Russell Brooks:
John Dollinger:

Both players had top pair but Dollinger had his opponent dominated with a higher kicker. Brooks was drawing dead on the turn and after the river Dollinger took down the final pot of the day.

• John Dollinger - 19,400,000
• Russell Brooks - Eliminated

Russell Brooks opened to 285,000 from the button and John Dollinger defended from the big blind.

The flop came and Dollinger check-called a 150,000 continuation bet from Brooks.

Dollinger check-called another bet from Brooks on the turn, this time for 400,000. On the river Dollinger checked, Brooks bet 700,000 and Dollinger folded.

• Russell Brooks - 4,800,000
• John Dollinger - 14,600,000

John Dollinger

Russell Brooks opened from the button and John Dollinger defended from the big blind.

The flop came and Dollinger check-called a 155,000 continuation bet from Brooks.

Dollinger check-called another bet from Brooks on the turn, this time for 335,000. 

On the river Brooks checked and Dollinger bet 1,700,000. Brooks check-raised to 4,000,000 and Dollinger called.

Brooks had for second pair and a blocker to the nut-straight. Dollinger showed a set with to win the pot and significantly extend his lead over Brooks.

• John Dollinger - 15,400,000
• Russell Brooks - 4,000,000