David Kruger Wins WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Tunica Main Event for $198,657
The 2015/2016 World Series of Poker Circuit Horseshoe Tunica Main Event attracted 646 entries – up from 457 the year before — which created a $969,000 prize pool. Of that, $198,657 was awarded to 54-year-old David Kruger of Slater, Missouri, who also captured his first circuit ring and a seat into the WSOP Global Casino Championship.
Kruger, who runs a waste management company, plays poker recreationally and has 11 in the money finishes on the WSOP Circuit, seven of which were final table appearances. Highlights on his poker résumé, which now includes $553,497 in lifetime earnings, are a win in the 2009 Spring Poker Classic Championship for $100,287, 33rd in the EPT4 Grand Final for $60,129, and fourth in the 2008 Aussie Millions Bounty Event for $36,427.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Kruger | Slater, MO | $198,657 |
| 2 | Russ Head | Lindale, GA | $122,918 |
| 3 | Matthew Lawrence | Clarksville, TN | $90,156 |
| 4 | Jeremy Drewery | Arlington, TN | $67,045 |
| 5 | Ryan Tepen | Bowling Green, MO | $50,533 |
| 6 | Chris Trotter | Chattanooga, TN | $38,595 |
| 7 | Orlando Romero | Amarillo, TX | $29,865 |
| 8 | Ben Thomas | - | $23,411 |
| 9 | Christian Rodriguez | Boynton Beach, FL | $18,585 |
Notable Finishes: Jessie Bryant (14th - $12,161), Hank Sitton (16th - $10,019), Sean Small (17th - $10,019), Eric Crain (31st - $4,535), Kyle Cartwright (35th - $4,012), and Chris Conrad (43rd - $3,585)
According to updates from the event, Kruger began the third and final day with the chip lead, but the final table saw his stack fluctuate. Still, he managed to make it to heads-up play against WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Southern Indianan Main Event winner Russ Head, albeit it at a chip disadvantage.
It was during that match that Kruger doubled into the lead after making a six-high straight flush holding the 2♣3♣, and then a short time later in Level 32 (60,000/120,000/20,000) the final hand of the tournament went down.
It began when Head raised to 300,000 and Kruger three-bet. Head moved all in for approximately 3.5 million and Kruger snap-called.
Kruger: A♥A♠
Head: 8♠8♣
Head was looking for an eight, but he was left wanting as the board ran out a clean J♠6♥5♠5♥10♣. Head had to settle for runner-up and a $122,918 consolation prize while Kruger became the latest WSOP Circuit Main Event champion.
Here is the list of gold ring winners from the Horseshoe Tunica:
| Event | Winner | Entries | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 $365 No-Limit Hold’em | Johnny McNally | 276 | $19,875 |
| #2 $365 Pot-Limit Omaha | Romeo White | 138 | $11,589 |
| #3 $365 No-Limit Hold’em | Robb Idsinga | 430 | $28,379 |
| #4 $365 No-Limit Hold’em Reentry | Josh Turner | 1,346 | $71,665. |
| #5 $365 No-Limit Hold’em | Andrew Brinkley | 245 | $18,010 |
| #6 $365 No-Limit Hold’em | Kevin Davis | 264 | $20,895 |
| #7 $365 No-Limit Hold’em | Robert Hankins | 235 | $17,621. |
| #8 $365 No-Limit Hold’em Monster Stack | Kyle Cartwright | 457 | $29,484 |
| #9 $580 No-Limit Hold’em | David Sutton | 249 | $30,504 |
| #10 $1,675 Main Event | David Kruger | 646 | $198,657 |
| #11 $365 No-Limit Hold’em | Janet Fitzgerald | 189 | $14,739 |
| #12 $365 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo | Vincent Moscati | 107 | $9,629 |
The 2015/2016 WSOP Circuit season continues Feb. 4-15 at the Palm Breach Kennel Club in Florida. PokerNews will bring you a recap of that Main Event upon its completion.
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