Derek Sein-Lwin experienced a poker dream come true, capturing the grand prize of $281,514 at the Cherokee WSOP Circuit Main Event. It was his first WSOP Circuit ring, a monumental achievement for the rising player.
The 2025 World Series of Poker concluded with Sein-Lwin’s victory, a culmination of a thrilling series that awarded a total of 18 coveted WSOP Circuit rings. The final event, held at Harrah’s Cherokee in North Carolina, drew an impressive field of 1,190 players.
Sein-Lwin wasn’t just lucky; he dominated. He seized the chip lead early on Day 2 and maintained his commanding position through Day 3, showcasing a relentless and skillful approach to the game.
“The hands were just coming right,” Sein-Lwin confessed after his win, a hint of disbelief still in his voice. “I kept on getting Aces and even Primos in general. I think I got Aces two or three times in the beginning, I got Kings once, I got Ace Kings…it’s just a dream come true.”
His impressive win dwarfed the earnings of his competitors. Patrick Plott secured second place with a substantial $187,676, while Vladyslav Shovkovyi rounded out the top three, taking home $131,070.
The final table payouts were significant across the board, rewarding the dedication and skill of each player. Rohit Kwatra claimed fourth place with $93,884, followed by Jacob Ferro at $68,001, Sanjay Gehi at $50,059, Chico Pho at $37,463, Eric Yanovsky at $28,510, and Ricardo Eyzaguirre at $22,069.
Sein-Lwin’s victory stands as the largest single payout of the entire Cherokee event, surpassing even the impressive wins in other tournaments. Marshall White won $135,620 in the $400 No-Limit Hold’em Mini-Main, and Charles Phillips took $127,911 in the $400 No-Limit Hold’em Monster Stack, but neither matched Sein-Lwin’s triumph.
This year’s WSOP Circuit series demonstrated a commitment to escalating prize pools, building on the momentum of a record-breaking announcement for the Paradise 2025 event earlier in the year. The series continues to redefine the landscape of competitive poker.
