The turnout for the event pushed the prize pool to more than $3 million
The World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) reached new heights in Montreal this month, as the Playground Poker Club hosted a record-breaking main event. The $1,800 buy-in tournament drew 1,978 entries, creating a prize pool of more than $3.2 million— the largest ever for a WSOPC event.
Ontario’s Jacob Hobday emerged as the champion, turning a $55 satellite entry into a career-defining payday of $446,400 and his second WSOPC gold ring. For Hobday, the victory was life-changing. His previous best score was around $44.000, making this win more than seven times larger than any result he’d had before.
The road to the title wasn’t easy. Hobday entered the final table near the bottom of the chip counts, sitting second-to-last. Despite the tough spot, he steadily worked his way up, beginning with a crucial knockout of Dustin Melanson in sixth place. He kept the momentum going by eliminating William Blais in fifth and then Feizal Satchu in fourth, which pushed him into the chip lead.
By the time the field was down to three, Hobday had full control of the table. He dispatched Jorge Pacheco in third, setting up the heads-up duel with Adrian Ottorino. Hobday’s lead proved decisive. On the final hand, Ottorino moved all in with A♥5♥, only to run into Hobday’s pocket deuces. A set on the flop sealed the championship, leaving Ottorino to claim $289,440 for second place.
The result not only marked Hobday’s biggest win but also solidified Playground’s place in poker history with the largest WSOPC prize pool to date. For many in attendance, it showcased both the strength of the Canadian poker scene and the growing international appeal of the WSOP Circuit.
