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
    • Bennett from Brooklyn, NY won $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
    • Lupinski from 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