The win gave him his first WSOPC ring and a $162,000 payday
Alex Lipkin claimed his first WSOP Circuit gold ring after winning the Main Event at Graton Casino and Resort on February 24. His victory not only brought him the title but also the biggest payday of his poker career, earning $162,520.
Lipkin remained a strong contender throughout the tournament, consistently maintaining a position near the top of the chip counts. Reflecting on his deep run, he admitted that while he had some past success in WSOP events, he still considers himself an amateur. He emphasized that the experience has boosted his confidence but acknowledged that one win does not define a great player.
The $1,700 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event attracted 558 entries across two starting flights, generating a final prize pool of $845,370—well above the guaranteed $500,000. A total of 85 players made the money, securing a minimum payout of $3,429. Among those who had deep runs were Lily Kiletto, who finished in 10th place, and two-time bracelet winner Marco Johnson, who took third.
Lipkin entered the final table second in chips and wasted no time making moves. He eliminated Saad Aljoher in ninth place and continued his run by knocking out Alan Capurro in eighth. As play progressed, Yoh Lee, Antonio Ma, Brendan Buckner, and Brett Murray all hit the rail, leaving three players to battle for the title.
Michael Lin, who eliminated Johnson in third, carried a significant chip lead into heads-up play. Lipkin managed to fight back, securing a crucial double-up to even the stacks. After adjusting his strategy to become more aggressive, he turned the match in his favor. The final hand saw Lin move all in with pocket eights, only to run into Lipkin’s pocket queens. The board offered no help, and Lin was eliminated in second place, collecting $108,149 for his efforts.
With this win, Lipkin cemented his name in the WSOP Circuit history books, proving that persistence and smart play can lead to big results. Meanwhile, the WSOP Circuit continues, with the next stop at Horseshoe Baltimore in Maryland, where the Main Event runs from February 27 to March 3.
