Labor Day weekend in New Orleans brought more than music and parades—it crowned a new WSOP Circuit champion. Mississippi native Yousef Saleh outlasted a 510-player field in the $1,700 Main Event at Caesars New Orleans, securing the title, $149,268 in prize money, and his second career Circuit ring. The victory also earned him a seat in the prestigious World Series of Poker Paradise (WSOPP) in the Bahamas this December.
For Saleh, the triumph marks a career-best score, easily surpassing his previous top cash of $61,261. According to The Hendon Mob, his live earnings before the event totaled around $437,000. The win now pushes him well over the half-million mark and adds another chapter to his WSOP Circuit story—his first ring dates back to 2019 in Biloxi.
Road to Victory
The $772,650 prize pool showcased the growing popularity of the WSOP Circuit stop in New Orleans. Six hopefuls advanced to the final day at the newly remodeled Caesars property near the iconic French Quarter. The eliminations came quickly, with Andrew Yurchak bowing out in sixth place for $24,100, followed by Samuel Rosen in fifth ($33,161).
Alexander Jones secured $46,704 for his fourth-place finish before Saleh sent Andrew Dykeman to the rail in third ($67,291). That set up the final heads-up clash against Louisiana’s Kane Keller, an up-and-coming player with just $35,000 in prior live earnings. Keller fought hard but eventually fell short, pocketing $99,135 for his runner-up finish.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yousef Saleh | $149,268 |
| 2 | Kane Keller | $99,135 |
| 3 | Andrew Dykeman | $67,291 |
| 4 | Alexander Jones | $46,704 |
| 5 | Samuel Rosen | $33,161 |
| 6 | Andrew Yurchak | $24,100 |
| 7 | Josh Pridgen | $17,938 |
| 8 | Luke Martin | $13,681 |
| 9 | Brandon Butler | $10,699 |
Closing the Series
The New Orleans festival wrapped up with James Morris taking down the $400 Double Stack Closer for $14,348. Meanwhile, Circuit legend Maurice Hawkins—already holding a record 21 rings—narrowly missed adding another, falling short to Heath Pender in Event #16.
With his latest title, Yousef Saleh cements himself as a serious force on the WSOP Circuit, proving that perseverance and experience can turn a Labor Day weekend into a career-defining milestone.
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