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With 300+ on Offer Through The Year, Are WSOP Rings Still As Valuable?

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit is heating up with a fierce battle for the most Circuit rings won. This comes after a recent controversial win by Maurice Hawkins, who is tied for the record with 19 rings after a hand was misread.

Now, three other players are in a tight competition for the top spot. Ari Engel currently shares the lead with 19 rings. Daniel Lowery has 18, and Josh Reichard is close behind with 16. These three men are constantly competing against each other.

Reporters spoke with Engel, Lowery, and Reichard to understand what this competition is like and if the large number of WSOP Circuit events has made winning a ring less critical.

Reputation on the Felt

When these players join a WSOP Circuit event, they are well-known. But does their reputation help or hurt them?
Josh Reichard said that he used to know many players on the Circuit and could use that to his advantage. However, he feels that the Circuit has many new players now, and his reputation might not matter as much.

Ari Engel believes that having a reputation has both positive and negative aspects. He said that sometimes players are scared to play against him, while others are very eager to try and beat him.

Daniel Lowery feels that most players on the Circuit know him. He needs to figure out who is afraid of him and who is trying to challenge him. Knowing this helps him build bigger stacks of chips and go further in tournaments.

Money vs. Glory

While money is a motivator for all poker players, the pursuit of winning the most WSOP Circuit rings is a unique motivator. There isn’t a similar race for WSOP bracelets because Phil Hellmuth has a big lead with 17, compared to Phil Ivey’s 11. When asked how much they pay attention to each other’s results, the answers varied.

Reichard stated that the “ring race” means nothing to him anymore. He feels the WSOP Circuit has become less appealing. He only plays a couple of Circuit events each year.

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Engel admitted that he likes having extra goals to keep him motivated. The ring chase is one of those goals. He tries not to let it change how he plays, but if it’s a close call, he might choose to play a WSOP Circuit event.

Lowery said that he and Maurice Hawkins have been competing on the Circuit for years and have become friends. He also considers Josh Reichard and Ari Engel good friends and roots for them. While winning tournaments is exciting, being at the top of the Rings leaderboard would be “cool.”

Memories of Victory

Engel is the only one of the three with WSOP bracelets, having won four. Together, they have won 53 WSOP Circuit rings, creating many memorable moments.

Reichard couldn’t pick just one favourite win. He said each one is special for different reasons, especially when friends and family are there. Engel remembers his first ring as particularly special. Another memorable win was an online event where he felt like a big underdog but still managed to secure a victory.

Lowery joked that even winning a nightly tournament excites him. His first Circuit ring in New Orleans was very memorable because he had come close many times before. Winning the Choctaw Main Event was also special because many friends were there to support him.

Are WSOP Rings Losing Value?

There is a debate about whether the increasing number of WSOP events has made winning rings less meaningful. The players had different opinions on this.

Reichard believes that while winning any poker tournament remains meaningful, the value of rings and bracelets has decreased due to the increasing number of events. However, winning a WSOP bracelet remains a significant goal for him.

Engel somewhat agreed that rings might be losing value, especially with online Circuit events. However, he pointed out that many people still participate in these events, showing that they still desire to win.

Lowery feels that online events have changed the appeal of winning a ring or bracelet. He believes that online wins should be recognised separately to highlight those players’ achievements. Indians are not being left behind.

Indians Making Mark

Indians have also been making their mark on the poker circuit. In 2017, the first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet was awarded in the country.

Chennai-based Aditya Sushant teamed up with Nipun Java and grinded in the tag-team Event #10. The duo shipped the $1,000 Teams Event, and history was made. India won its first-ever gold bracelet, and Sushant amassed a prize money worth $75,318.

Nikita Luther. India’s first female WSOP bracelet winner had partnered with Germany’s Giuseppe Pantaleo and shipped Event #55 for $87,902.

Kartik Ved, meanwhile, was India’s first solo WSOP bracelet winner and overall, he was the third person to bring it home.

At the 2024 WSOP, Santhosh Suvarna demonstrated his prowess beyond the high-stakes play by winning the $250,000 Super High Roller event, securing his second WSOP bracelet.

The End Goal

Each of these players is aiming for the most Circuit event wins, even if it’s a personal competition. But what are their long-term goals? Will their success in WSOP Circuit events define their careers, or will it pave the way for even greater achievements?

Reichard hopes that his career won’t be defined only by Circuit rings. He plans to focus on other major poker tours in the future.

Engel sees the Circuit as a “minor league” in poker. While he is comfortable playing these events, his ultimate goal is to compete in higher-stakes tournaments.

Lowery has primarily played in small to mid-stakes events. He would feel he had met his goal if he could reach the top of the rings list. He also wants to travel more, play in more bracelet events, and help promote women in the poker industry.
The race for the most WSOP Circuit rings continues. Whether these rings become less significant over time remains to be seen. For now, Reichard, Lowery, and Engel are all striving to make their mark in poker history.

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