The World Series of Poker Circuit recently wrapped up nearly two weeks of tournament action at Horseshoe Council Bluffs, with 18 gold rings awarded and several of the Circuit’s most accomplished players adding to their career totals.
But it was a player with no hardware that won the Main Event.
Connor Hayward took down the $1,700 Main Event for a career-best $76,797 payday, finishing on top of a field of 232 entries who created a $351,480 prize pool.
He defeated John Ypma heads-up for the title. Ypma, who won his first Circuit ring from at Texas Card House Social Austin earlier this year, earned $50,593 for his runner-up finish, while Matthew Riffel took third place for $34,304.
Hayward, like everyone who wins a Circuit this year, also received a $5,000 WSOP Paradise package, which pays their way into the $2,750 WSOP Circuit Championship Mystery Bounty and covers a stay at Baha Mar in the Bahamas.
2026 WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Council Bluffs $1,700 Main Event Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connor Hayward | $76,797 |
| 2 | John Ypma | $50,593 |
| 3 | Matthew Riffel | $34,304 |
| 4 | Jake Flores | $23,961 |
| 5 | Nick Barksdale | $17,257 |
| 6 | Nicholas Stille | $12,828 |
| 7 | Robert Wilson | $9,852 |
| 8 | Kevin Berhelsen | $7,826 |
| 9 | Ryan Brown | $6,438 |
Engel and Lowery each win 21st
Winners at Horseshoe Council Bluffs include two men who already have plenty of rings, Dan Lowery and Ari Engel.
They both won their 21st ring there, good for second on the all-time list, five behind Maurice Hawkins.
Lowery pulled ahead of Engel in Event #7: $400 Big O for $8,607. Engel finished third in that event.
Then a few days later, Engel finished on top of a small 68 entry field in Event #9, a $400 No-Limit Hold’em affair, earning $6,613 and joining Lowery at 21 career rings.
