In a recent event at the WSOP Circuit Grand Victoria Casino stop, Roland Israelashvili from Forest Hills, New York made history by becoming the twelfth player ever to win nine or more gold rings on the World Series of Poker Circuit. After defeating a field of 270 entries in a $400 buy-in no-limit hold’em event, the 65-year-old poker player won $20,227 and his ninth ring.
This win also helped Israelashvili maintain his position as the all-time cashes leader in WSOPC history, with a total of 211 in-the-money finishes. This impressive record is 33 more than any other WSOPC player.
With over $4.6 million in lifetime tournament earnings, including over $1 million from WSOPC events, Israelashvili now occupies seventh place on the WSOPC all-time money list, having increased his exact total on the tour to $1,021,446. He currently leads Joshua Turner, who is in eighth place, by a slim margin of $11,148. However, Maurice Hawkins remains the top earner with $2.2 million in WSOPC earnings, as well as the all-time rings leaderboard with 14 WSOPC titles.
Israelashvili’s latest victory marked the 33rd title of his career. Notable players who participated in the event included Allen Kessler, who finished in 14th place, and WSOP bracelet winner Benjamin Keeline, who finished as the runner-up and took home $12,501, falling just short of securing his second ring.
Here is a look at the payouts and Card Player Player of the Year points awarded at the final table:
Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
1 | Roland Israelashvili | $20,227 | 173 |
2 | Benjamin Keeline | $12,501 | 144 |
3 | Daniel Graffenius | $9,000 | 115 |
4 | Jefferson Guerreromontejo | $6,592 | 86 |
5 | Vanessa Villarica | $4,913 | 72 |
6 | James Stern | $3,728 | 58 |
7 | James Pillon | $2,880 | 43 |
8 | Patrick Walsh | $2,266 | 29 |
9 | Phu Nguyen | $2,266 | 14 |