2019 World Series of Poker Circuit Horseshoe Southern Indiana

$1,700 Main Event
Day: 3
Event Info

2019 World Series of Poker Circuit Horseshoe Southern Indiana

Final Results
Winner
Thomas Alcorn
Winning Hand
a4
Prize
$117,322
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,700
Entries
357
Level Info
Level
33
Blinds
100,000 / 200,000
Ante
200,000
Players Info - Day 3
Entries
357
Players Left
1

$1,700 Main Event

Day 3 Completed

Thomas Alcorn Wins the 2019 WSOPC Horseshoe Southern Indiana Main Event For $117,322!

Level 33 : 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Thomas Alcorn
Thomas Alcorn

"Woo-hoo! And a little bit of yee-haw!" a jubliant Thomas Alcorn said after taking down the 2019 World Series of Poker Circuit Horseshoe Southern Indiana Main Event for $117,322 after besting a field of 357 entrants over the four-day event. Along with the cash, Alcorn received a beautiful WSOPC gold ring and an entry into the 2020 WSOPC Global Championship.

Alcorn, a native of Winder, Georgia with family back in Peewee Valley, Kentucky that was rooting him on all tournament, said his unorthodox style of play was the key to victory. "I play with the old style of poker that they had back in the 2000s. I do way less bluffs than all the players nowadays, and because all the players are used to each other doing that, I'm gonna get calls by weak hands when I'm betting a monster."

Alcorn has been on a tear on the WSOPC as of late, finishing in third place last month at the WSOPC Harrah's Cherokee Main Event for $126,188. Last week, he finished 11th at the WSOPC Seminole Coconut Creek Main Event for $14,537, and along with a 26th place at WSOPC Ameristar St. Charles Main Event for $4,006, Alcorn is four-for-four in cashing WSOPC Main Events in the last month, and now has his first WSOPC championship ring as the icing on the cash-laden cake.

Alcorn's journey to this moment almost didn't happen, as Alcorn retired from playing poker in 2003.

"I was just playing little side games once every few months, and Cherokee. I decided to get into the World Series there, and after I came in third, I took $20,000 of that money and said I was gonna follow the Circuit around. I promised my mom I wouldn't dig into my winnings, just the $20,000."

Final Table Results

PositionNameLocationPrize Money
1Thomas AlcornWinder, Georgia$117,322
2Robert JamesLouisville, Kentucky$72,512
3John GallaherLebanon, Tennesee$52,190
4Nick PupilloGilbert, Arizona$38,145
5Kenneth WareFrankfort, Kentucky$28,318
6Jesse CarterKnoxville, Tennesee$21,358
7Alan PercalMiami, Florida$16,370
8David WinrichNew Albany, Indiana$12,754
9Brett ApterSt. Petersburg, Florida$10,103

Final Table Action

The final nine players all hung around during the first level of play, despite a third of the field beginning with under twelve big blinds at the start of play. Robert James saw his chip lead evaporate after losing a few pots to Nick Pupillo, before doubling up Alcorn when Alcorn's king-jack flopped a king-high straight at the same time James's ace-queen found top pair, top kicker on the flop. It would be Level 27 (25,000/50,000/50,000) where more than half of the final table would hit the rail in quick succession.

First, WSOP Bracelet winner Brett Apter, who was coming off a seventh-place performance at the WSOPC Potawatomi Hotel and Casino Main Event, jammed his last nine-and-a-half big blinds with a suited ace-seven, and Alcorn called out of the big blind with a suited queen-ten. A ten on the turn ended Apter's hunt for a second ring, and Alcorn took the chip lead for the first time at the final table.

David Winrich, who couldn't get much going, jammed for six big blinds with pocket fours a short time later, and WSOP Bracelet winner Alan Percal three-bet jammed for seventeen big blinds with Big Slick. John Gallaher was waiting right behind them with kings, however, and Gallaher's cowboys held up, sending Winrich home in eighth, while Percal was left with under a single big blind, which he lost to James the very next hand.

One hand later, Pupillo raised on the button, and Jesse Carter, who earlier in the level lost a big hand to James when his queen-nine was outkicked by James's king-queen on a queen-high board, three-bet shoved for his last few big blinds with pocket threes. Kenneth Ware called in the big blind, and Pupillo came along as well. Ware's pocket nines found middle set on the flop and shoved for eleven big blind, and Pupillo, who flopped an open-ended straight draw with his king-ten, called, and drilled the straight on the turn to send both Carter and Ware to the rail in sixth and fifth place, respectively.

Even with the double knockout, it would be Pupillo, ranked 10th in the Global Poker Index and fresh off of winning his third WSOPC ring two weeks ago at WSOPC Potawatomi, that would exit in fourth. Pupillo bled down to his last ten big blinds and jammed over an open from James, who called with jack-ten of clubs. Pupillo's pocket fives got a huge sweat on a flop that gave James flush and straight draws to go with his overs, and James found a ten to deny Pupillo his fourth WSOPC ring. Pupillo now sits just $41,215 away from crossing the seven-figure threshold in lifetime WSOP tournament earnings.

Gallaher ground a short stack for some time three-handed, but finally succumbed after calling a raise in the big blind from James, then jamming the flop with ace-high and a gutshot. Unfortunately for him, James had aces, and ended up with a set, busting Gallaher, who also has three WSOPC rings, two spots shy of his fourth.

Heads-Up Action
Heads-Up Action

The Duel

James and Alcorn started heads-up play with similar stacks of over sixty big blinds, and the duo played a methodical, small-ball style that caused the match to extend to over five hours. James maintained a lead for much of the early levels, having him beat 2:1 in chips at one point in Level 30 (50,000/100,000/100,000), but by the end of the Level, the stacks were nearly square. The same process repeated itself in Level 31 (60,000/120,000/120,000); James pulled out to a lead, then Alcorn clawed back and evened things up by level's end.

Alcorn finally flipped the script in Level 32 (80,000/160,000/160,000) when he turned two pair with ten-four and won a nearly 5.5 million chip pot off of James, who had flopped nines-up. James was left with just under three million, but once again, by the time the level came to a close, the duo was separated by just a few big blinds. Alcorn got his last 3.5 million in preflop with deuces in Level 33 (100,000/200,000/200,000), and James called with queens, looking primed to win his second WSOPC ring, but the deuce on the river flipped the chip counts and kept the battle rolling.

The final two hands of the WSOPC Horseshoe Southern Indiana Main Event were all Alcorn, first flopping the nut straight and getting paid by James, who was trying to bluff catch with ace-high. The very next hand, James jammed for 1.93 million with pocket fives, and Alcorn called with ace-four suited. An ace in the window was all she wrote for James, and Alcorn earned his first WSOPC ring after a hard-fought, lengthy battle.

Alcorn had one last reason to smile after his victory today; a little bragging rights with Maurice Hawkins, the all-time leader in WSOPC rings with 13.

"The big reason I'm happy, though, Maurice Hawkins and I used to play at the Seminole Hard Rock all the time. We wound up making final tables a lot, but he remembered me, and he came up to me in one of the tournaments, and I said, 'Well, I'm gonna beat you today,' and he said, '13 rings!' So next time I see him, I'm going to go up to him with one of these and go, ha!"

Charlie Dawson Casino Champ

Charlie Dawson
Casino champ Charlie Dawson.

Real estate investor Charlie Dawson of Owensboro, Kentucky finished as the WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino Champ with 105 points. That was thanks to four cashes, three final table appearances, and a pair of runner-up finishes in Event #6: $400 Monster Stack for $20,965 and Event #5: $600 PLO for $6,538. All told, Dawson won $33,387 at the stop.

Here’s a look at all those who captured rings at the WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Southern Indiana stop:

TournamentEntriesPrize PoolWinnerPrize
Event #1: $400 NLH192$63,360William Watson$15,776
Event #2: $400 NLH825$272,250Aaron Gamino$48,320
Event #3: $250 Double Stack NLH485$97,000Ricky Doyle$19,447
Event #4: $400 NLH 6-Handed160$52,800Matthew Dunn$13,828
Event #5: $600 Pot-Limit Omaha Freezeout63$32,445Matt Sterling$10,578
Event #6: $400 Monster Stack506$166,980Chuck Breslin$33,922
Event #7: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha44$40,220Justin Geary$14,523
Event #8: $400 NLH Turbo111$36,629Robert Gray$10,296
Event #9: $400 NLH123$40,590Tim Garles$11,057
Event #10: $1,700 Main Event357$540,855Thomas Alcorn$117,322
Event #11: $400 NLH Turbo79$26,070Seth Frederici$8,068
Event #12$400 NLH Turbo70$23,100Richard Bolden
Event #13: $400 NLH153$50,275Matt Koch$13,310

Tags: Alan PercalBrett ApterDavid WinrichJesse CarterJohn GallaherKenneth WareMaurice HawkinsNick PupilloRobert JamesThomas Alcorn

Robert James Eliminated in 2nd Place ($72,512)

Level 33 : 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Robert James
Robert James

Robert James jammed for 1.93 million on the button, and Thomas Alcorn called in the big blind.

Robert James: {5-Clubs}{5-Hearts}
Thomas Alcorn: {a-Diamonds}{4-Diamonds}

"In the window!" James cried out when the {q-Hearts}{k-Clubs}{a-Spades} flop delivered Alcorn an ace. James found no five on the {8-Spades} turn or {a-Clubs} river, and Alcorn takes down the WSOPC Horseshoe Southern Indiana $1,700 Main Event after a five-hour marathon heads-up duel with James.

Stay tuned for a full recap of the day's action.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Thomas Alcorn us
Thomas Alcorn
10,710,000
2,010,000
2,010,000
Profile photo of Robert James us
Robert James
Busted
Day 2 Chip Leader

Tags: Robert JamesThomas Alcorn

Alcorn Gets Paid With the Nuts

Level 33 : 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante

Robert James limped in on the button, and Thomas Alcorn checked his option in the big blind.

Alcorn checked the {5-Spades}{8-Spades}{7-Diamonds} flop to James, who bet 200,000. Alcorn check-raised to 400,000, and James called.

Alcorn bet 400,000 on the {3-Hearts} turn, and James called.

The {q-Hearts} river saw Alcorn bet 700,000, and James went into the tank. After three minutes, he called. Alcorn said, "Flopped it," and turned over {9-Clubs}{6-Clubs} for the nuts.

"It was either that or a busted flush draw," James told Alcorn as he showed he called with {a-Hearts}{4-Spades}.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Thomas Alcorn us
Thomas Alcorn
8,700,000
3,900,000
3,900,000
Profile photo of Robert James us
Robert James
2,010,000
-3,900,000
-3,900,000
Day 2 Chip Leader

Tags: Robert JamesThomas Alcorn

Check Out Oddschecker US Today

Level 33 : 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Oddschecker US
Oddschecker US

If you're enjoying PokerNews live updates from this event, be sure to check out our sister site Oddschecker US, an all-inclusive sports betting portal offering odds, tips and offers from sports including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer.

Betting Highlights

  • Football: We've got all the best prices to take you from preseason to the Super Bowl. We've also got great picks and detailed analysis.
  • Basketball: NBA or college, whatever you like to bet we've got up-to-date lines, futures and a host of great picks.
  • Baseball: Nothing tells you that summer is near like baseball season beginning to hear up. America's pastime really is one of the best ways to enjoy the season.
  • Hockey: We've got the latest picks and the very best odds on the market.
  • Soccer: Oddschecker was founded in the UK so football, sorry, soccer, is in our blood. We've got you covered for the best action in the Premier League, La Liga, Champions League and our very own MLS.

Who we are

Launched in the UK in 1999, Oddschecker is now the leading odds comparison site, and a betting destination enjoyed by millions of users around the world. As a trusted betting affiliate we only partner with the best and most trusted brands in the industry and support real-time price updates, offers and promotions. We give you, the user, the power and control to find the best bet for you. And, don’t forget, our site is 100% free to use. We don’t take a cent from you. We simply ensure you get the opportunity to place the right bet at the best value.

What we offer

  • Sports Betting Odds: Real-time prices from all the top bookmakers. If a sportsbook has odds on an event, you’re likely to find them here. We've got every sport under the sun covered!
  • Betting Offers: All the best promotions, including great sign-up offers for new customers, and exciting promotions open to all punters.
  • Betting Tips: We help you pick winners by providing expert picks and previews from those in the know. Make sure you're always on the front foot with your betting and take advantage of our insights and stats.

Click here to check out Oddschecker US!

James Gets it in

Level 33 : 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante

Robert James raised to 400,000 on the button, and Thomas Alcorn called in the big blind.

Alcorn led out for 300,000 on the {5-Diamonds}{8-Hearts}{2-Spades} flop, and James raised to 900,000. Alcorn called.

Alcorn bet 300,000 again on the {9-Hearts} turn, and James called.

The {a-Clubs} fell on the river, and Alcorn again bet 300,000. James tanked for a minute before shoving for his last 2.43 million.

"I've already seen you do that multiple times with ten-jack," Alcorn said. He tanked for a minute, then folded.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Robert James us
Robert James
5,910,000
1,300,000
1,300,000
Day 2 Chip Leader
Profile photo of Thomas Alcorn us
Thomas Alcorn
4,800,000
-1,300,000
-1,300,000

Tags: Robert JamesThomas Alcorn

Back and Forth We Go

Level 33 : 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante

Robert James limped in on the button, and Thomas Alcorn checked his option in the big blind.

Alcorn checked the {2-Clubs}{9-Clubs}{j-Clubs} flop to James, who bet 300,000. Alcorn check-raised to 600,000 and James called.

Alcorn bet 400,000 on the {5-Diamonds} turn, and James called.

The {5-Hearts} fell on the river, and Alcorn bet 400,000. James tanked for two minutes before calling, and after Alcorn showed his {9-Diamonds}{7-Clubs}, James tabled {j-Spades}{3-Diamonds} for jacks-up and the winner.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Thomas Alcorn us
Thomas Alcorn
6,100,000
-1,400,000
-1,400,000
Profile photo of Robert James us
Robert James
4,610,000
1,400,000
1,400,000
Day 2 Chip Leader

Tags: Robert JamesThomas Alcorn

Alcorn Binks the River to Double Through James

Level 33 : 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Thomas Alcorn
Thomas Alcorn

Alcorn limped in on the button, and James raised to 500,000 in the big blind.

"All in," Alcorn said, three-bet shoving for 3.5 million. James tanked for two minutes, then called.

Thomas Alcorn: {2-Clubs}{2-Spades}
Robert James: {q-Hearts}{q-Diamonds}

"Need a deuce," Alcorn said.

The {3-Hearts}{4-Clubs}{6-Clubs} flop added a gutshot to Alcorn's outs, but the {8-Spades} turn was a brick. The {2-Diamonds} hit the river, and the marathon heads-up match will continue a little longer.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Thomas Alcorn us
Thomas Alcorn
7,500,000
2,900,000
2,900,000
Profile photo of Robert James us
Robert James
3,210,000
-2,900,000
-2,900,000
Day 2 Chip Leader

Tags: Robert JamesThomas Alcorn

"Makes Sense"

Level 33 : 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante

Thomas Alcorn limped in on the button, and Robert James checked his option in the big blind.

Both players checked the {k-Diamonds}{2-Diamonds}{j-Hearts} flop, and James bet 300,000 on the {q-Diamonds} turn. Alcorn called.

James check-called a bet of 300,000 from Alcorn on the {4-Hearts} river, and Alcorn tabled {q-Clubs}{5-Diamonds} for a pair of queens.

"Makes sense," James said before mucking.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Robert James us
Robert James
6,110,000
-800,000
-800,000
Day 2 Chip Leader
Profile photo of Thomas Alcorn us
Thomas Alcorn
4,600,000
800,000
800,000

Tags: Robert JamesThomas Alcorn

James Takes Two

Level 33 : 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante

Hand #1:

Robert James raised to 500,000 on the button, and Thomas Alcorn called in the big blind.

Alcorn checked the {j-Spades}{q-Spades}{8-Spades} flop to James, who bet 500,000. Alcorn folded.

Hand #2:

Thomas Alcorn limped in on the button, and Robert James checked his option in the big blind.

The {6-Diamonds}{3-Spades}{10-Clubs} flop was checked through, and James bet 300,000 on the {3-Diamonds} turn. Alcorn called.

James checked the {4-Diamonds} river, and Alcorn tossed a stack of 100,000 chips into the pot.

"How much is that?" James asked, and the dealer confirmed the bet as 600,000. James tanked for a minute before calling, and after Alcorn showed {a-Clubs}{5-Hearts} for ace-high, James won the pot with {q-Diamonds}{6-Spades} for a pair of sixes.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Robert James us
Robert James
6,910,000
1,200,000
1,200,000
Day 2 Chip Leader
Profile photo of Thomas Alcorn us
Thomas Alcorn
3,800,000
-1,200,000
-1,200,000

Tags: Robert JamesThomas Alcorn