Hopefully, today will be a much quieter day at The World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOP Circuit) Main Event at Harrah's Cherokee.
It took an unexpected turn on Sunday as chaos erupted when an unidentified man caused a scene by flipping over three poker tables in what seemed to be a fit of rage.
The disturbance occurred just as players were clearing out for a break, with 65 participants remaining in the tournament. Without warning, the unidentified man entered the tournament area and proceeded to flip over poker tables along with their chip stacks before security could intervene.
WSOP Circuit Incident Caught on Video
This startling event was captured on video by World Poker Tour (WPT) Executive Tournament Director Matt Savage, who posted it on his X account
Tournament directors biggest nightmare! pic.twitter.com/CEMG8scQVv
— Matt Savage (@SavagePoker) February 23, 2025
The footage shows the man flipping what appears to be the last table. As bystanders attempted to pitch in and clean up the scattered chips, they were instructed to leave them untouched to avoid any risk of disqualification. You can also see security escorting the man out of the tournament area.
Savage wrote in the post’s description: “Tournament directors biggest nightmare.”
Despite speculation from the video and social media, the identity of the man remains unknown. His disruptive actions have baffled many in the poker community who are now seeking answers.
Another video that was posted on X shows the aftermath of the man’s path of destruction.
Wild times at @HarrahsCherokee@WSOPC $1700 main day2
At the end of 10/25k a guy takes a running start and crab 🦀 scuttles under tables flipping them and all chips
He gets 3 tables flipped before stopped (65 left ) pic.twitter.com/V2f8NvA4IM
— @rEaLrUeTaMa (@realruetama) February 23, 2025
This one was posted by four-time Circuit ring winner David Moses. In addition to showing the overturned tables in the Harrah's ballroom, you can also see players looking on in disbelief.
Impact on the $1,700 Buy-In Main Event
The table-flipping incident occurred on Day 2 of the $1,700 buy-in Main Event.
Once the scene settled down and order was restored, tournament staff had to review surveillance footage to verify the accurate stack sizes for each player. They paused the Main Event for a short time so they could diligently cross-reference the security footage to reconstruct the stacks precisely before play can continue.
This unexpected chaos at the WSOP Circuit Main Event has certainly left its mark, and may be one for the record books. This appears to be the first time something like this has happened at a WSOP event.
World Series of Poker Circuit Moves to Baltimore Next
The World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) is a series of poker tournaments held annually at various locations across the United States and, occasionally, internationally. Established in 2005, the WSOPC aims to bring the excitement and prestige of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) to a broader audience, allowing more players to participate in high-stakes poker events without having to travel to the WSOP's main venue in Las Vegas. The WSOP schedule was recently announced.
The event in North Carolina began on February 13 and ends today, but the World Series of Poker Circuit has a busy schedule ahead
The tour will stop at Horseshoe Baltimore in Maryland from February 20 to March 3, 2025. Then, the action moves to Horseshoe Hammond in Indiana from February 27 to March 10, 2025. Finally, the Circuit will head to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from March 5 to March 17, 2025.
