In an extraordinary finale at the WSOP Circuit Thunder Valley Main Event, Travis Egbert claimed his third WSOP Circuit ring after an intense five-hour heads-up battle against Xiong Thao. This victory came after three days of grueling competition and a final table showdown that tested both players’ endurance and mental toughness.
An Epic Heads-Up Showdown
The tournament, featuring 812 entries, created a massive prize pool of $1,230,180. Travis Egbert, from the United States, secured the largest cash prize of his poker career, walking away with $214,565. Meanwhile, Xiong Thao, who finished second, earned $142,540, marking a personal career-high.
What seemed like a quick heads-up match turned into an unexpected marathon. Egbert entered the final battle with a commanding 4-to-1 chip lead after dominating the final table. However, despite his initial advantage, the heads-up stretched on for five more hours, pushing both players to their limits. Reflecting on the victory, Egbert said: “It was frustrating and mentally exhausting because he put up an incredible fight.”
Final Table Standout Players
Before clinching the title, Egbert also had to face some tough competition, including seasoned player Brock Wilson and actor Kirk Acevedo, famous for his role in the iconic series Band of Brothers. Both were among the final table participants, but Egbert’s resilience saw him through to the top. With this win, Egbert adds his third WSOPC ring to his trophy case, having previously won a $400 event earlier this year and a $3,250 High Roller event, both at Thunder Valley Casino in California.
WSOP Circuit Main Event – Thunder Valley Casino
- Buy-in: $1,700
- Entries: 812
- Prize Pool: $1,230,180
Final Table Payouts:
- Travis Egbert (USA) – $214,565
- Xiong Thao (USA) – $142,540
- Gregory Pincombe (USA) – $100,065
- Brock Wilson (USA) – $71,070
- Thomas Morris (USA) – $51,905
- Kirk Acevedo (USA) – $38,380
- Jared Smith (USA) – $28,640
- Colton Blomberg (USA) – $21,800
- Michael Rossitto (USA) – $16,875
