It was only a matter of time before Wisconsin’s Josh Reichard joined Maurice Hawkins at the top of the all-time World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) Ring list, and he has done it. Reichard won a record-tying 14th Circuit ring, his second in the past year, by taking down the $1,700 buy-in WSOPC Grand Victoria Main Event in Chicago on April 17 for $253,073.
Reichard got through a field of 954 runners in the Main Event that created a prize pool of $1.5 million and defeated Arizona’s Jordan Lowery to win the record-tying ring and deny Lowery a first ring of his own. Others at the final table including Michigan’s Ariel Kotzen (3rd - $115,201) and Illinois natives Nicola DiTrapani (4th - $85,825), Ryan Julius (7th - $38,072) and George Dietz (9th - $23,513).
“It feels good, I’ve been on a good run lately,” Lowery told WSOP after his victory. “To be honest, I really don’t care too much about records but this one is kind of cool.”
| PLACE | PLAYER | COUNTRY | PRIZE (IN USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Reichard | Janesville, WI | $253,073 | |
| 2 | Jordan Lowery | Gilbert, AZ | $150,419 | |
| 3 | Ariel Kotzen | Huntington Woods, MI | $115,201 | |
| 4 | Nicola DiTrapani | Arlington Heights, IL | $85,825 | |
| 5 | Christopher Moon | Sterling Heights, MI | $64,688 | |
| 6 | Luke Graham | Palm City, FL | $49,332 | |
| 7 | Ryan Julius | Peoria, IL | $38,072 | |
| 8 | Marc Bernal | Oak Forest, IL | $29,738 | |
| 9 | George Dietz | Oak Park, IL | $23,513 |
Two Wisconsin Guys
Reichard came close to winning a 14th ring in February at the WSOPC Hammond stop, where he finished runner-up in two $400 buy-in events that brought him respective scores of $32,534 and $22,523. It’s only fitting that he saved the 14th ring for a much bigger score, one that ranks as the biggest cash of his career.
While he already had plenty of poker accolades to brag about, including a spot in the elusive Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Hall of Fame, the accomplishment is a special one for Reichard. He pointed out that he and all-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth (16 bracelets) both hail from The Badger State, a serendipitous occurrence that makes the victory all the more meaningful.
“On (the WSOP) website, there’re pictures of all the record holders and Phil Hellmuth holds the bracelet title and I thought it’d be cool if my picture was next to his because we are two Wisconsin guys,” he said. “I’m sure Maurice’s picture will stay on there right now, but that just keeps me motivated to get there one day.”
Will Reichard Pass Hawkins?
Now that Reichard has tied Hawkins in first on the all-time Circuit ring list, the question becomes whether he will be able to surpass the Florida grinder.
Hawkins won his 14th ring in January 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down live poker across the US. In the years since then, he has had several runner-up finishes to be denied a record-extending 15th ring.
Most recently, Hawkins finished second in the WSOPC Cherokee $2,200 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller in February for $44,205.
Meanwhile, Reichard himself has had his share of close calls since winning his 13th ring in the WSOPC Horseshoe Council Bluffs Main Event in September 2022.
Reichard told WSOP he has no plans on slowing down and will continue to grind in search of yet another Circuit ring.
“If someone is playing well and running well, they have confidence and things are just going their way but if they’re on a bad streak, it seems like they just can’t win a hand for months,” he said, “so I’m going to ride this wave while it’s high and see if I can get a little streak going.”
Lead photo courtesy WSOP