The World Series of Poker Circuit is in full-swing right now.

The circuit began its 2021-22 campaign on Thanksgiving Day, November 25th, at Harrah's Cherokee in North Carolina. Since that day, the circuit has gone full-force throughout the country, allowing amateur poker players across the United States to compete for their chance to play in the WSOP's Tournament of Champions.

As part of its crusade across the country, the tour stopped at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY, and crowned three champions in the process.

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The entire event was scheduled to run at Turning Stone from March 17th through March 28th, and three first-time winners have already been crowned, including two from New York. Each participant was competing for cash, a WSOP gold ring, and the ultimate prize, which is a chance to play in the Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas.

Joe Rice of Waterford, NY (Facebook / Turning Stone Resort Casino)
Joe Rice of Waterford, NY (Facebook / Turning Stone Resort Casino)
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Waterford, New York native Joe Rice was one of the three winners that were crowned last week. As outlined by The Saratogian in their article on the event, Rice won over $27,000 in prize money, and walked away with a cool $133,900 in cash winnings. This, of course, comes in addition to the ring (pictured) and the trip to Las Vegas.

Chad of Cincinnati, OH (Facebook / Turning Stone Resort Casino)
Chad Roederscheimer of Cincinnati, OH (Facebook / Turning Stone Resort Casino)
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Pictured above is the second winner, Chad Roederscheimer, who hails from Cincinnati, Ohio. Chad will also be heading to Vegas, after reaching the six-figure mark in prize money. His total winnings added up to a whopping $702,570.

Also crowned a champion at Turning Stone was Tom Frank, another Empire State native, this time hailing from Ilion, New York. Tom is also headed to Las Vegas to compete in the circuit-ending tournament, after walking away with $163,980 in cash winnings.

The World Series of Poker Circuit continues its run through the beginning of July, with stops both in the United States, as well as in Canada, and overseas in France, Senegal and beyond. There, poker players from all walks of life will have the chance to compete for similar cash prizes as the three champions at Turning Stone, and head to Las Vegas in July, as well.

The finale itself will take place on July 18th through the 20th in Las Vegas, and is a $1,000,000 free roll tournament that pits the World Series of Poker's bracelet and ring winners against one another for cash and other prizes.

So, when the Tournament of Champions starts in July, Capital Region poker fanatics will have a few reasons to pay attention.

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