David Kruger Wins WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Tunica Main Event for $198,657

David Kruger

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

PlacePlayerHometownPrize
1David KrugerSlater, MO$198,657
2Russ HeadLindale, GA$122,918
3Matthew LawrenceClarksville, TN$90,156
4Jeremy DreweryArlington, TN$67,045
5Ryan TepenBowling Green, MO$50,533
6Chris TrotterChattanooga, TN$38,595
7Orlando RomeroAmarillo, TX$29,865
8Ben Thomas-$23,411
9Christian RodriguezBoynton 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 23, 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: AA
Head: 88

Head was looking for an eight, but he was left wanting as the board ran out a clean J65510. 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:

EventWinnerEntriesPrize
#1 $365 No-Limit Hold’emJohnny McNally276$19,875
#2 $365 Pot-Limit OmahaRomeo White138$11,589
#3 $365 No-Limit Hold’emRobb Idsinga430$28,379
#4 $365 No-Limit Hold’em ReentryJosh Turner1,346$71,665.
#5 $365 No-Limit Hold’emAndrew Brinkley245$18,010
#6 $365 No-Limit Hold’emKevin Davis264$20,895
#7 $365 No-Limit Hold’emRobert Hankins235$17,621.
#8 $365 No-Limit Hold’em Monster StackKyle Cartwright457$29,484
#9 $580 No-Limit Hold’emDavid Sutton249$30,504
#10 $1,675 Main EventDavid Kruger646$198,657
#11 $365 No-Limit Hold’emJanet Fitzgerald189$14,739
#12 $365 No-Limit Hold’em TurboVincent Moscati107$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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  • David Kruger tops field of 646 entrants to win WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Tunica Main Event for $198,657.

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