Turning Stone Resort and Casino has been a good luck charm for the player
Danielle Moran made a memorable return to the poker scene by winning her first WSOP Circuit (WSOPC) ring at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Despite stepping away from the game for nearly a decade, she dominated Event #12: $400 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em, securing the title, $10,839 in prize money, and a seat in the Tournament of Champions in May.
Moran’s last major tournament victory came nearly ten years ago at the Empire State Hold ’em Championships. Since then, her focus has shifted to her family and wedding photography business. She recently welcomed a baby girl and has been balancing life with three other children. Her only recorded cash in the last decade was a 79th-place finish at the WSOPC New York Main Event in 2022, and she hadn’t played in three years before this tournament.
The final table featured a tough lineup, but Moran and Kendra Trammel controlled the action early, holding nearly 60% of the chips in play. They eliminated several competitors, including Sydney Padula, Katie Klass, Corie Singer, Jessica Kinsey, and Megan Chapman, before reaching four-handed play. Lynn Burke exited in fourth, followed by Georgette Kirschenbaum in third, setting up a heads-up battle between Moran and Trammel with nearly even stacks.
Moran secured the victory after an intense back-and-forth match, celebrating the moment with her family. She expressed excitement and surprise at the win, mentioning that she might be able to make the trip to Los Angeles for the Tournament of Champions.
Her biggest fan, however, might be her son, who had a special request. “I don’t care about the money; I just want to bring the ring to school,” he told her. It looks like he’ll get his wish.
