Nolan Dalla

[New Orleans, LA] - The World Series of Poker uses a catchy slogan to promote its national tournament circuit. The popular slogan goes, "First the Ring, then the Bracelet." The routine is for poker players to gain valauble tournament experience at various WSOP Circuit stops around the country, and then later come to Las Vegas and play in the WSOP to compete for poker's ultimate prize - the gold bracelet.

Las Vegas, NV - The 2009-2010 World Series of Poker Circuit season is about to come to an end. This week's scheduled events taking place at Harrah's New Orleans will conclude the sixth successful year of WSOP Circuit events. The WSOP Circuit was initially launched in January 2005 in order to give as many players as possible an opportunity to participate in the world's biggest and most prestigious poker tournament series. WSOP Circuit events typically take place over two-week periods between October and May.

Bryan Devonshire scored a breakthrough victory by winning Rincon's 2010 WSOP circuit main event championship-a $5,000 (+$150) buy-in no-limit hold 'em tournament-in Valley Center, CA, located just outside San Diego. Top prize was $114,975 along with a $10,000 seat into July's WSOP main event.

"Devo," as he is known in poker circles, is a 28-year-old poker pro with live tournament winnings totaling more than $1.1 million.

[Las Vegas, NV] - If anyone has "paid his dues" in tournament poker, it's Everett Carlton. The 55-year-old owner of an insurance agency who once gambled for high-stakes on the golf course finally won his first major tournament victory tonight at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. Carlton has been playing in poker tournaments for the past five years. But until now, he had never won a major, despite coming close many times with 30 in-the-money finishes and several final table appearances.

The first World Series of Poker circuit tournament at Harrah's Rincon Casino and Resort was a complete sell out. The poker room was filled to capacity and 100 additional players later took seats as alternates.

Chris Farmer, a 25-year-old semi-pro poker player from San Diego, won it, collecting $24,415 in prize money for what was his first time to cash in a WSOP circuit tournament.

The first World Series of Poker circuit tournament at Harrah's Rincon Casino and Resort was a complete sell out. The poker room was filled to capacity and 100 additional players later took seats as alternates.

Chris Farmer, a 25-year-old semi-pro poker player from San Diego, won it, collecting $24,415 in prize money for what was his first time to cash in a WSOP circuit tournament.

Valley Center, CA - Bryan Devonshire has been playing in World Series of Poker-related events for nearly seven years. He has cashed six times. The first two times Devonshire finished in-the-money, he took second place on both occasions. The prize money Devonshire earned in those tournaments was impressive, but finishing second comes nowhere close to the thrill of actually winning. Even though Devonshire has earned more than $1 million in live poker tournaments since then, until the latest WSOP Circuit championship here in San Diego, he had not won anything associated with the WSOP.

Valley Center, CA - Bryan Devonshire has been playing in World Series of Poker-related events for nearly seven years. He has cashed six times. The first two times Devonshire finished in-the-money, he took second place on both occasions. The prize money Devonshire earned in those tournaments was impressive, but finishing second comes nowhere close to the thrill of actually winning. Even though Devonshire has earned more than $1 million in live poker tournaments since then, until the latest WSOP Circuit championship here in San Diego, he had not won anything associated with the WSOP.

Atlantic City, NJ - To win, all poker players must pay a price. More often than not, the price of victory is not measured by the size of the entry fee or the expenses of entering a poker tournament. For many poker players, the much greater sacrifice is the accompanying disappointment that comes with playing tournament poker full time. In between extraordinary moments of fulfillment manifested in tournament triumphs are torturous moments of defeat, disappointment, and despair.

Atlantic City, NJ - To win, all poker players must pay a price. More often than not, the price of victory is not measured by the size of the entry fee or the expenses of entering a poker tournament. For many poker players, the much greater sacrifice is the accompanying disappointment that comes with playing tournament poker full time. In between extraordinary moments of fulfillment manifested in tournament triumphs are torturous moments of defeat, disappointment, and despair.