Texas grinder Winston Djonli won the WSOP Circuit Choctaw 2026 Main Event for $232,680, capping off a remarkable two-month heater. The victory at Choctaw Casino Resort marks Djonli’s first Circuit ring and his biggest career score, as his lifetime earnings jumped from around $72,000 in November 2025 to over $453,000.
The WSOP Circuit Choctaw 2026 Main Event attracted 922 entries with a $1,700 buy-in, generating a prize pool of $1.25 million and surpassing the $1 million guarantee. Djonli defeated Matthew Barnett heads-up at the final table.
Djonli’s Two-Month Run
Before this win, Djonli was relatively unknown on the tournament circuit with just $72,000 in recorded earnings. That changed in late November 2025 when he finished 13th in a $1,200 buy-in event on the Texas Card House Trailblazer Poker Tour for $7,060—a career-best at the time.
The momentum continued into December. Djonli cashed the $10,000 WPT World Championship in Las Vegas for $25,000, then followed it up with a runner-up finish in a $3,000 event that paid $115,682. Those results set the stage for his breakthrough Circuit win in January.
In just over two months, Djonli has added more than $380,000 to his tournament resume—a textbook example of what a hot streak looks like on the live circuit.
WSOP Circuit Choctaw Main Event Final Table
The final table featured a mix of experienced circuit regulars and lesser-known grinders, with Djonli emerging as the champion after heads-up play against Matthew Barnett.
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Winston Djonli | $232,680 |
| 2nd | Matthew Barnett | $155,010 |
| 3rd | Venkat Nagabha | $107,360 |
| 4th | Chris Vickrey | $75,700 |
| 5th | Kenneth Lemer | $54,360 |
| 6th | Dustin Schoonover | $39,770 |
| 7th | Jeremy Kennon | $29,650 |
| 8th | Todd Tucker | $22,540 |
| 9th | Alejandro Reynoso | $17,470 |
Choctaw Circuit Series Highlights
The WSOP Circuit stop at Choctaw ran from January 8-19, 2026, and featured 18 ring events that paid out over $2 million combined. Beyond the Main Event, several other tournaments drew strong fields and solid prize pools.
William Hesser kicked off the series by winning Event #1: $500 Monster Stack for $41,310 from a field of 545 players. The event generated a $177,320 prize pool—one of the largest of the stop outside the Main Event.
Jason Royman took down Event #13: $500 No-Limit Hold’em for $38,800, while Daxton Alexander won the $400 Monster Stack (Event #16) for $27,660 from a field of 428 entries.
The series also featured specialty events including a $250 Ladies Event won by Cammie Allen for $7,920. That final table included content creator Ashley Frank, adding some recognizable faces to the stop.
Other Notable Ring Winners
- Gregg Merkow – Event #4: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack ($21,990)
- Glen Goldsmith – Event #3: $500 Big O ($16,530)
- Eric Bunch – Event #15: $400 No-Limit Hold’em ($18,880)
- Jeffrey Whittle – Event #8: $250 Seniors ($23,310)
- Srinivasa Vadlamudi – Event #18: $400 No-Limit Hold’em ($20,530)
What Makes WSOP Circuit Stops Valuable
WSOP Circuit events remain one of the best options for mid-stakes grinders looking to build bankrolls and gain tournament experience. The Choctaw stop is a perfect example of why these series work.
The $1,700 Main Event buy-in is affordable enough to attract recreational players while still offering six-figure payouts at the top. The 922-player field shows strong local and regional participation, which typically means softer competition compared to high-stakes tour stops.
For players like Djonli, Circuit stops provide opportunities to turn modest investments into career-changing scores. His $1,700 entry became a $232,680 payday—a 137x return that illustrates the value proposition these events offer.
Beyond the Main Event, side events with $400-$500 buy-ins give grinders multiple opportunities to fire throughout the series. With 18 ring events spread over nearly two weeks, players can maximize volume while managing bankroll variance across lower buy-in tournaments.
Next WSOP Circuit Stops
The WSOP Circuit continues throughout 2026 with stops scheduled across the United States and international venues. Upcoming domestic stops include destinations in Florida, Pennsylvania, and California, each featuring similar structures with Main Events in the $1,500-$2,000 range.
For grinders evaluating where to play, Circuit stops offer consistent value: proven structures, accessible buy-ins, and prize pools that regularly exceed guarantees. The combination makes them a staple of the live tournament calendar for players building their resumes and bankrolls—track upcoming stops and live results on our WSOP Hub.
