WSOP Winter Circuit Update: Battle for Final Ring Draws Closer

January 11th, 2021 | by Greg Shaun

The GGPoker WSOP Winter Online Circuit series is nearing its conclusion and, as expected, the list of winners is growing.

The WSOPC Winter series on GGPoker is nearing its conclusion as players vie for the final Circuit ring. (Image: WSOP)

All eyes are currently on the $1,700 main event which concludes later today. Ahead of the final champion being crowned, some of poker’s biggest names have been collecting Circuit rings.

Michael Addamo, Samuli Siplia, and David Comeron were among the big winners last week. However, the man that stood out the most was Niklas Astedt.

Astedt Wins Mano a Mano Showdown

Astedt won the $10,000 heads-up No Limit Hold’em event on January 10 following a dominant performance against Mirza Muhovic.

A total of 94 entrants took part in the $1 million guaranteed event. Eight walked away with a prize but it was Astedt who put on the most impressive display.

He not only beat Timothy Adams, Luke Reeves, and Guillaume Nolet on route to the final, he won the title in just under three hours.

Astedt took the lead early but, with large stacks and long levels, he knew it wasn’t going to be a quick finish. As such, he continually pressured Muhovic into making a mistake.

That almost happened on a number of occasions but Muhovic survived multiple times. Eventually, however, something had to give.

Muhovic limped on the button with A♣ 6♣ and Astedt raised with pocket tens. Muhovic three-bet all-in and Astedt called.

The 3♠ 8♦ J♣ 7♦ J♠ board didn’t help Muhovic and, with that, he was out in second place and Astedt became a WSOPC champion.

WSOP Winter Circuit Finale Set

While Astedt was picking up a Circuit ring, Joseph Cheong was making his presence felt in the $1,700 main event. He won’t start the January 11 final table with the chip lead.

However, he has one of the most impressive résumés of the final nine. With $14.6 million in career earnings, and a WSOP bracelet to his name, he’ll be the one to watch.

Lithuania’s Paulis Plausinaitis will start out in front but his position is far from secure. As well as Cheong, Plausinaitis will have to fight of tough pros such as Artem Prostak and Joni Jouhkimainen.

The eventual winner, whoever it may be, will walk away with the WSOPC Winter main event title and $1.2 million.

Whatever the outcome, the final table will mark the end of another successful collaboration between GGPoker and the WSOP.

The two companies have made the most of global lockdowns. Moreover, they’ve helped players to compete for major titles from the comfort of their own homes.