Ryan Awwad's poker resume includes multiple five and six-figure scores and a wide list of accomplishments, but one key title had eluded him until Sunday at Thunder Valley Casino Resort: WSOP Circuit champion.
The popular local tournament grinder had made 11 WSOP Circuit final tables before his latest appearance in the single-day $400 No-Limit Hold ‘em, but had yet to make it to heads-up play.
'I'm pretty delirious right now'
After a day that went almost 16 hours — including over an hour of heads-up play — Awwad could finally claim a Circuit ring of his own on his 12th final table. The 42-year-old newly crowned champion was alerted to the exact number in that dubious streak after his win.
“I knew it had been a lot, and Dan (Thunder Valley in-house reporter Dan Ross) also reminded me that none of them had gotten heads-up, so although I have all those final tables, I’m one-for-one heads up.”
While Awwad and his heads-up opponent John Grisler were visibly tired as they battled for the ring, the $19,950 first prize and the 2025 WSOP Tournament of Champions seat, Awwad did appear the fresher of the two combatants by the end.
“I’m pretty delirious right now, it’s getting late, quiet in here, hearing all the noises, plus I’m playing at this table that’s been squeaking for 16 hours too so it’s been a long night and I’m ready to get some rest.”
Two decades in the making
Awwad wasn't the only player getting off the schneid at Thunder Valley. William ‘Skip’ Ferguson — known as “The Pirate” for his aggressive play and prowess in stealing pots — finally one the big one after 22 years in the game.
He needed a lot of help, starting with an incredible Day 1 spin-up in Event #1: $400 The Opener to survive.
“I was running really good up until Level 10. I ran into one hand and it knocked me down to 2,000 in chips. Three hands later I tripled up, two hands later, doubled up, they moved me to another table and I tripled up again and then I ended up bagging 210,000 chips.”
Essentially freerolling after that incredible comeback, destiny was then with the 66-year-old who shed a long-standing monkey off his back (or parrot off his shoulder), as he couldn’t miss on Sunday either.
“I went on a crazy run, no matter what cards I played. I got it in bad three times and ended up with full houses all three times.”
'My dad is gonna freak out!'
Ferguson’s run was capped by winning a flip with a pair of sevens accompanied by a “yes” and a handclap.
“Words can’t describe it. Total elation. I’ve been studying this game for 22 years and it finally came to fruition. Everything that I’ve studied for and did, and practiced, and learned from the pros works.”
Ferguson is hoping to play the Main Event later in the series, but not before heading home to share the win with his parents whom he takes care of.
Asked what their son winning the ring and a career-best $66,782 would mean to them, the champ lit up and said, “Oh, my dad is gonna freak out! He’s gonna love it because I’ve got him watching (poker). He loves Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth. We watch poker together all the time. When I show him this he’s gonna freak.”
The Northern California casino features one of the biggest stops on the WSOPC schedule with a $1,700 Main Event that offers a $1,000,000 guarantee — and it's set to kick off on Thursday with the first of three opening flights.
Check out PokerOrg's Instant Live coverage all weekend long for the latest updates live from the floor of the Main Event.
