Previewing the 2011-2012 World Series of Poker Circuit Harrah's Rincon

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Mar 24, 2012 5 min read Last updated Apr 04, 2012

Harrah’s Rincon is one of the most popular World Series of Poker Circuit stops each and every year. The California poker crowd is apt to make the trip to the 662-room property north of San Diego, and Las Vegas locals often make the four-hour drive.

This year, Rincon marked the 14th out of 17 stops of the 2011-2012 World Series of Poker Circuit season and began on March 15. With 12 rings up for grabs and two spots being awarded to the $1 million WSOP Circuit National Championship (July 6 through 7 with the final table being played out July 11), not to mention the 100 guaranteed seats reserved for the top 100 point earners on the Circuit, Rincon was generating a lot of excitement, especially during Event #2: $565 No-Limit Hold’em.

That event drew 155 players and created a prize pool of $75,175, but it wasn’t until the last day of play, which began with 12 players, that all eyes turned to Alexandru Masek, a local part-time poker player from San Diego who was making a push for the final table. The four-time WSOP Circuit ring winner was looking to capture his record-tying fifth ring. Masek, a 27-year-old law school graduate, made the unofficial final table of ten with an above-average count, but the deck soon turned against him and he was eliminated in tenth place.

One man who did have some luck was Dean Buchanan, a 22-year-old professional poker player from Kirkland, Washington. The young pro navigated the final table all the way down to heads-up play where he ran into John Piotrowski. Their battle lasted three hours, but when the final hand fell, Buchanan ended up with all the chips and took home $19,934.

Here's a look at the WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon events completed thus far:

WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon Ring Event #1: No-Limit Hold’em

WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon Event #2: No-Limit Hold'em

WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon Event #3: H.O.R.S.E.

WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon Ring Event #4: No-Limit Hold’em Re-Entry

WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon Event #5: No-Limit Hold'em Turbo

WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon Ring Event #6: No-Limit Hold’em

WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon Ring Event #7: No-Limit Hold’em

WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon Ring Event #8: No-Limit Hold’em

WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon Ring Event #9: No-Limit Hold’em

WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon Ring Event #10: No-Limit Hold’em

With several events yet to be determined, the race for the WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon Casino Champion is undecided. Whoever captures that title, along with the eventual winner of the Main Event, will automatically qualify for the Second Annual $1 Million National Championship. That event is limited to 100 players, and so far only a handful of players have qualified:

National Championship Qualifiers

In addition to the qualifiers, players who earn enough points on the National Leaderboard will be able to buy-in to the National Championship:

WSOPC National Leaderboard Top Ten*

*Leading up to the WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Rincon stop.

Don’t miss your chance to qualify for the National Championship. There are still plenty of opportunities to play, including any of the remaining stops on the WSOP Circuit schedule.

Remaining 2011-2012 WSOPC Schedule

*Photos courtesy of Eric Harkins and ImageMasters.

Get all the latest PokerNews updates on your social media outlets. Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook today! In the meantime, see who qualifies for the National Championship this week by following our Live Reporting Team’s coverage from the Harrah’s Rincon.

PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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