2024 World Series of Poker® Circuit Event at Turning Stone Concludes with Record- Breaking $6.2 Million Paid in Total Winnings
New York’s only World Series of Poker® (WSOP) tournament once again exceeded expectations and attracted even more players to the region than the previous two events. The 12-day WSOP Tournament series at Turning Stone resulted in nearly 16,000 entries and attracted people from 38 states and Canada to Central New York, paying more than $6.2 million in total winnings, more than double the minimum guarantee. The thrilling championship event crowned Ethan Bennett from Brooklyn, NY the ultimate WSOP Main Event Champion, taking home nearly $300,000 and his first WSOP Gold Ring.
Oneida Indian Nation Homelands (March 27, 2024) – The 12-day World Series of Poker® (WSOP) Circuit Event at Turning Stone wrapped up this week and was once again a huge success, surpassing last year’s record-breaking performance. Highlights from this year’s tournament include:
2024 WSOP at Turning Stone By the Numbers:
$6.2 million in cash winnings paid out, more than double the minimum guarantee (vs. $5.4 million in 2023).
More than 16,000 total entries in the WSOP at Turning Stone (vs. 14,658 in 2023).
Several thousand players traveled to Central New York from 38 states and four providences of Canada.
18 WSOP Gold Rings awarded, the ultimate trophy of the Circuit Event (vs. 16 in 2023).
18 WSOP Circuit Winners to compete in the $1 million Tournament of Champions this summer.
The three-day championship main event came down to a thrilling nail-biter finale that ultimately crowned Ethan Bennett from Brooklyn, NY, the WSOP Main Event Champion. Bennett was in a back and forth finish at the final table with two female players – Kathrine Brandt Weir (Ladera Ranch, CA) and Cindy Spier (Newton, MA) – who placed second and third, respectively. Winning a total of $298,546 in the Main Event, Bennett earned his first WSOP Gold Ring, the ultimate trophy of the World Series of Poker Circuit event, and a trip to WSOP’s $1 million Tournament of Champions this summer.
WSOP at Turning Stone Notable Winners
WSOP Circuit winners receive cash winnings, a coveted WSOP Ring – the trophy of the WSOP Circuit event – and a chance to compete in the $1 million Tournament of Champions this summer.
WSOP Main Event Winner: Ethan Bennett, Brooklyn, NY Won $298,546 $298,546 and his first WSOP Gold Ring and earned a seat in the $1 million Tournament of Champions.
Going head-to-head with Bennett at the final table were two female players – Kathrine Brandt Weir from Ladera Ranch, CA and Cindy Spier from Newton, MA. Weir earned second place in the Main Event and took home $184,521. Spier placed third and took home $137,178.
Total payout for the Main Event was $1.8 million, exceeding the minimum guarantee.
One WSOP Winner from Central New York: Edward Lupinski, Ilion, NY Won $17,211 in the WSOP tournament at Turning Stone, his first WSOP Gold Ring and earned a seat in the Tournament of Champions this summer.
Five WSOP Gold Ring Winners from Western New York: Collectively Won $254,057 Budwey Salhab from Getzville, NY (near Buffalo): Won $123,316, his first WSOP Gold Ring and a seat in the $1 million Tournament of Champions.
Leonid Kaplin from East Amherst, NY (near Buffalo): won $38,712 and beat out last year’s WSPOP Main Event champion and professional poker player Shaun Deeb, earned his first WSOP Gold Ring and a seat in the $1 million Tournament of Champions.
Travell Thomas from Orchard Park, NY (near Buffalo) won $33,800, his first WSOP Gold Ring and a seat in the $1 million Tournament of Champions.
Michael Rellinger from Tonawanda, NY (near Buffalo) won $30,150, his first WSOP Gold Ring and a seat in the $1 million Tournament of Champions.
Shane Friedlander from Kerhonkson, NY (near Rochester) won $28,080, his first WSOP Gold Ring and a seat in the Tournament of Champions. Friedlander’s total WSOP earnings are $41,389.
About Turning Stone Resort Casino
A renowned, award-winning destination resort in Upstate New York, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino features world-class amenities including five hotels, two luxurious spas, five golf courses, more than 20 dining options, a 125,000 square foot Las Vegas-style gaming floor, TS Sports, a state-of-the-art sports betting lounge, The Showroom, an intimate concert venue, a 5,000 seat arena, and several nightlife venues, including NY Rec & Social Club. Conveniently located 30 miles east of Syracuse at NYS Thruway exit 33, Turning Stone was named the #1 Best Gaming Resort in New York by Casino Player Magazine and the #1 Best Overall Dining in 2023. Turning Stone has also earned the prestigious Forbes Four Star Award for The Lodge, Wildflowers restaurant, TS Steakhouse, and Skʌ:nʌ́: Spa, and, for more than a decade, the AAA Four Diamond Award for The Lodge, The Tower Hotel, and Wildflowers restaurant.
For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or (800) 771-7711.
Media Contact:
Kelly Abdo, Director of Public Relations Turning Stone Enterprises 315.366.9291 kelly.abdo@turningstone.com
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