The most recent WSOP event at Harrah’s Cherokee attracted a significant turnout, with 1,659 players entering the $1,700 no-limit hold’em main event. Surpassing the $1.5 million guarantee, the event generated a final prize pool of $2,513,385. Tyler Barnes, a resident of North Carolina, emerged victorious after several days of intense play, claiming the top prize of $383,856. Barnes dominated the final table, securing every elimination on his path to victory.
This marked Barnes’ second WSOPC gold ring triumph, representing his largest tournament win to date. Prior to this accomplishment, his most significant cash prize was $39,051, earned from winning a $600 buy-in event at the same venue during a 2022 WSOPC stop, where he claimed his first ring.
In addition to the substantial cash prize and the prestigious title, Barnes also earned 1,080 Card Player Player of the Year points, propelling him into the top 40 in the 2024 POY race standings sponsored by Global Poker.
Reflecting on his victory, Barnes expressed gratitude to Ryan D’Angelo for his coaching and support throughout the tournament. D’Angelo, a decorated bracelet winner, was among the talented field of players who competed alongside Barnes, finishing in 12th place for $31,876.
Numerous notable players reached the final table, including Andrew Moreno, the 2021 Wynn Millions main event champion, who held the chip lead at the outset. Barnes’ strategic prowess became evident as he systematically eliminated opponents, including Rubin Chappell, Christopher Mo, and David Yue.
A pivotal hand against Moreno solidified Barnes’ position, with his pocket kings prevailing over Moreno’s pocket jacks, sending Moreno to a sixth-place finish with an $80,857 payout.
The subsequent eliminations saw Barnes continuing his dominance, culminating in a final showdown against Zak Gilbert. In a dramatic conclusion, Barnes completed a straight on the river to clinch the victory, relegating Gilbert to second place with a payout of $237,256.
WSOPC Cherokee Main Event Final Table Results
| PLACE | PLAYER | HOMETOWN | PRIZE (IN USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler Barnes | Pinehurst, NC | $383,856 | |
| 2 | Zachary Gilbert | Hillsborough, NC | $237,256 | |
| 3 | Maurice Hawkins | West Palm Beach, FL | $178,870 | |
| 4 | Michael Wang | Las Vegas, NV | $136,052 | |
| 5 | Adam Hendrix | Anchorage, AK | $104,413 |
