WSOP Circuit Canada Returns Featuring Jonathan Duhamel

After two and a half years hiatus, WSOP Circuit Canada is set to make a comeback from April 20 to May 1, 2016. Casino de Montreal  will play a host for ten ring-awarding events spread across ten days, with two additional events being played online. Espacejeux, the only Canadian regulated online poker site, will offer its virtual felt to digital warriors looking to secure a WSOP ring from the comfort of their homes.

Jonathan Duhamel the face of WSOP Circuit Canada

Jonathan Duhamel is the only Canadian WSOP Main Event winner and, apart from Daniel Negreanu, probably the most recognizable face of Canadian poker community (unless you are Phil Ivey, that is). Duhamel outlasted the field of more than 7,300 players back in 2010, claiming the most coveted title in poker, together with the first prize of almost $9,000,000.

The victory propelled young Duhamel into stardom, opening doors for many future contracts. Until last year, he has been a member of PokerStars Team Pro, and now, Société des casinos du Québec (SCQ) has signed the 28-year old pro to be featured at the WSOP Circuit Canada events.

WSOP Circuit Canada back after two and a half years

The last WSOP Circuit Canada event took place back in November of 2013. Charles Sylvestre was the one claiming the gold ring at the Lac-Leamy Casino in Quebec, banking $122,435 for his efforts. After that, however, the WSOP Circuit was simply gone from Canada.

Reasons for this rather long hiatus have not been provided, but at least, WSOPc is now back in Montreal, and there is little doubt that it will attract a great number of players from Canada and the USA as well.

Duhamel’s role in WSOP Circuit Canada return

The SBQ are clearly intent to put the 2010 WSOP champion to good use. He is featured in the promotional videos and, apart from his participation in the event, Duhamel will also be a part of the ring award ceremonies for all twelve winners.

Francois Hanchay from Quebec’s Casinos expressed his content about the mutually beneficial partnership, expressing his pleasure that they were given an opportunity to organize the only World Series of Poker stop in Canada.

Duhamel, who claimed two more WSOP bracelets during the last year’s Series, is certainly well-deserving of his ambassador role as one of the most successful Canadian poker players and the only one who has bragging rights to the Main Event title.

WSOP Circuit Canada Schedule

The Main Event of the Montreal WSOPc stop will feature the customary $1,675 buy in. It will feature two starting flights, on April 28 and 29. Both starting days will have a cap of 300 entries (plus alternates), and the event will conclude on April 30.

Most other events will feature the buy-in of $365, with the exceptions of Event 4 ($1,125) and Event 5 ($580).

As for the online events, they will take place later, on May 7 and May 8, with buy-ins of $320 and $530 respectively. Both events will award winners with WSOPc rings, just like the regular, brick-and-mortar tournaments.

More information about the schedule, rules, and satellites can be found at the Casinos du Quebec pages.