Just six of the initial 637 players returned to play today in the World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event at Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, Illinois, and each one of them had locked up $29,674 for their efforts over the past two days of play. However, it would all come down to Monday's final table and all eyes rested on the $175,684 and the WSOPC ring that would be awarded to a winner.
The tournament was just one card away from going longer than four hours as Steve Buell found himself all in and behind with top pair and top kicker against Matthew Lubawski's overpair. The river eight gave the full house to Buell for his third WSOPC ring — the first in a Main Event.
"I've had some close calls before," Buell said about WSOPC Main Events. "My deepest was third in Council Bluffs, Josh (Reichard) got me." Buell also finished in 12th place in this very event in 2024. He bettered both of these finishes today, and this win marks another important milestone for Buell. "It is also my biggest live score. I had my first six-figure score this summer in the $10K Super Turbo Bounty, but this one definitely feels better."
Steve Buell and his loyal rail celebrate his third WSOPC ring. "I had played with the entire field yesterday a decent amount, I looked up everyone on Hendon Mob. I had the most experience of the field and having the second-biggest chip stack helps. When the chip leader was eliminated early, I got a lot of those chips and then after that, I felt pretty confident the rest of the way."
Buell finally gets the Big One
With tournament results dating back to 2009, Buell has consistently played in tournaments of all stakes and sizes over the past 15 years to put himself into ninth place on Wisconsin's all-time money list.
"Lot of variance working in my favor now. It's been so close with a lot of Circuit mains, MSPTs, and other big tournaments. I've been getting a lot of sevenths, a lot of fourths, and it just feels great to close one out. A big one no less."
From 2022 onward, the Wisconsin original has been steadily amassing more cashes every single year with 2024 being a career-best $350,305 over the course of the year. With this massive score now, Buell has set the stage for another massive year and the summer has yet to begin.
Matthew Lubawski couldn't stop Buell, but he came close. "On top of the cards going my way, I have a lot of good friends around the game that you can talk hands with. Shoutout to the Lumberjacks."
Buell had a strong rail today cheering him on, affectionately giving him the nickname 'The Suamico Steamroller' at the final table. When he won the final hand, they were joyfully surrounding him and celebrating their friend's accomplishment.
Having already locked up his seat to the 2025 WSOPC back in Council Bluffs, Buell has not changed his plan as far as what he is going to do.
"May 15th? I'll be there," the new champion said. With that, he and his friends went up to Wisconsin to celebrate the night away.
WSOPC Grand Victoria Main Event final table results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Buell | $175,864 |
| 2 | Matthew Lubawski | $117,241 |
| 3 | Derek Hanauer | $80,803 |
| 4 | Jason Flock | $56,753 |
| 5 | Ian Greendale | $40,637 |
| 6 | Steve Wrangler | $29,674 |
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