Nick Pupillo Wins WSOPC Thunder Valley Main Event For $170,286, High Roller Goes to JC Tran

Thunder Valley Casino and resort in Lincoln, California hosted its inaugural WSOP Circuit event and it was Nick Pupillo who walked off with the Main Event ring and $170,286 to top off a fantastic September for the Illinois man.

Pupillo had broken through the $1million lifetime tournament earnings barrier in Atlantic City earlier this month with a 2nd place in the Deepstack worth over $200k and he continued his fine form in Thunder Valley, seeing off 527 other hopefuls in the $1675 buy-in Main Event.

The 25-year old, who now lives in Arizona, told reporters afterwards that:

“It feels great. It’s been a while, I think 2016, since I won a tournament. So it feels awesome.”

Having previously been addicted to the mind-drug Adderall, a now-sober Pupillo explained:

“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my career. I struggled with, like, money management and stuff like that, but things are turning around. Better now,” adding that, “Just getting good rest and staying sober and stuff like that is very important.”

The final table saw Pupillo bide his time as others hit the rails and forced the pace, eventually finding himself heads-up with Dann Turner and when the end came it was dramatic, Pupillo’s A6 being outflopped by Turner’s seemingly dominated A5, until the river appeared – another 6 sealing the deal.

Aside from the Circuit ring and the big payday, Pupillo earned himself an entry in the invitation-only WSOP Global Championship $1 million freeroll.

Here are the final table results:

Tran takes down High Roller

The final event of the Thunder Valley stop saw JC Tran scoop the top prize in the High Roller event, the Californian adding to his haul of titles when he defeated Will Givens heads-up.

The $43,500 cash is mere pocket change for the man who has won almost $13million in tournament play over the years, but it’s his 2nd Circuit ring and now matches his two WSOP Bracelets and two WPT titles.

Here are the final table results: