Incredibly, it was not Jones' first Main Event victory in the Smokey Mountains. North Carolina's Ryan Jones took it down for a career-best $302,131 and his third Circuit ring after defeating heads-up opponent Jonathan Lewis, who is turn took home $186,733. The $1,700 Main Event drew a huge field of 1,205 runners for a prize pool of $1,663,301. Earlier in the series, Spencer Smith won his third and fourth rings, denying Lowery a 14th ring in the process. Hawkins wasn't the only big winner at WSOPC Harrah's Cherokee, which ran May 4-15. Jones Wins Cherokee Main Event a Second Time It may only be a matter of time before Hawkins adds a 16th ring to further close the gap, or before Reichard wins a 15th to do the opposite. Hawkins, a controversial figure in poker, won his 14th ring at WSOPC Choctaw in 2020 and has had several close calls since then, including a fourth-place finish in Event #11: 400 No-Limit Hold'em at this very stop. Hawkins now re-takes the lead after a heads-up victory against fellow Floridian Toby Boas ($33,744), while other players who made deep runs include Cherokee regular Irene Carey (4th - $16,327) and bracelet winner Will Givens (7th - $6,877).

Ari Engel won a 12th ring in March to tie Vornicu, while Daniel Lowery picked up a staggering three rings and Reichard won two rings to reach respective totals of 13 and 14. Multiple players went on surges this year to close the gap.

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