Curtis King Captures WSOP Circuit Main Event Title at Harrah's Cherokee
Written by Eden Keller · Aug 20, 2026

Curtis King Captures WSOP Circuit Main Event Title at Harrah's Cherokee

Curtis King from West Virginia emerged victorious in the WSOP Circuit Main Event at Harrah's Cherokee in North Carolina after outlasting a field of 1,681 entries in the $1,700 No-Limit Hold'em tournament, and he collected $363,703 along with his first WSOP Circuit ring as the largest payout of his career.
The event produced a total prize pool of $2,307,380 which exceeded the $2 million guarantee, and this outcome reflected strong participation across multiple starting flights that fed into the final stages at the North Carolina venue.
Tournament Field and Structure
Participants navigated a standard WSOP Circuit format with the $1,700 buy-in drawing 1,681 total entries, and the resulting prize pool surpassed expectations while distributing payouts to the top finishers according to the published payout structure. Data from the series shows consistent growth in Circuit events at Harrah's Cherokee, and observers note the location continues to attract players from neighboring states including West Virginia where King resides.
Play progressed through multiple days with survivors advancing from initial flights into the money bubble and then into the final table, while the structure maintained standard blind levels and ante progression typical of Circuit Main Events. Those who reached the later stages encountered increasing pressure as shorter stacks forced confrontations, and the field size contributed to a demanding path for anyone seeking the title.
Final Table Payouts and Key Results
Toby Boas finished in second place for $242,423 after a heads-up battle that concluded the event, and Ryan D'Angelo secured third place with $172,763 as the remaining players divided the bulk of the prize pool among the top positions. Additional payouts extended down the final table with each elimination carrying significant pay jumps that reflected the overall pool size.
King's victory marked the largest cash of his documented career and delivered the first WSOP Circuit ring for the West Virginia player, and the result positioned him among recent Circuit champions who have used these events as stepping stones toward larger stages. The final table featured a mix of regional regulars and travelers who had navigated the large field, and their performances highlighted the competitive depth present at Harrah's Cherokee.

According to official reports the series continues its annual rotation through various properties, and Harrah's Cherokee hosted this Main Event as part of the broader Circuit schedule that runs across multiple months. Figures released by the WSOP indicate the prize pool exceeded the guarantee by more than $307,000, and that surplus directly increased the payouts for everyone who cashed including those who reached the final day.
Event Context Within WSOP Circuit
The WSOP Circuit operates as a series of regional tournaments that award rings and points toward a season-ending Player of the Year race, and the Harrah's Cherokee stop added another data point to the ongoing calendar. King's win contributes to the list of champions who have taken down Circuit Main Events in recent cycles, while the total entry count of 1,681 demonstrates sustained interest from the player base.
Travelers from multiple states converged on the North Carolina property for the duration of the event, and the combination of live poker action with the surrounding amenities at Harrah's Cherokee supported the multi-day format. Those who advanced deep received recognition for their performance, and the payout distribution rewarded consistent play across the varying stack depths encountered on the final day.
Conclusion
Curtis King's triumph at Harrah's Cherokee stands as a notable result within the current WSOP Circuit season, and the details surrounding the 1,681-entry field, the $2,307,380 prize pool, and the top-three payouts provide a clear record of the event's scope. Additional information appears on the official WSOP site through the linked report titled Curtis King Victorious in Harrah's Cherokee WSOP Circuit Main Event, and future Circuit stops will continue to build on similar structures and participation levels.