Winston Djonli Conquers WSOP Circuit Choctaw, Skyrockets Career Earnings

Imagine a lone gunslinger in the wild west of Texas, named Winston Djonli, whose bullets were his poker cards, and his duels were fought not in dusty streets but across the green baize of poker tables. As the calendar pages turned to November 2025, this card-slinging hero had already amassed a treasure chest worth $72,000 from his poker conquests. Yet, as the winter winds began to howl, Djonli embarked on a legendary journey that would see his treasure chest swell to a staggering $453,479 over a mere two months, a tale that would be whispered in poker rooms and casinos far and wide, especially those echoing the triumphs of the WSOP Circuit Choctaw.

Our tale begins as the leaves were falling in late November, with Djonli entering a competition where he displayed his prowess. With a stake of $1,200, he joined the fray and emerged 13th, pocketing $7,060, a sum that momentarily crowned him but was soon to be dwarfed by his future winnings. The saga continued in the glittering desert oasis of Las Vegas, where Djonli, with a bold $10,000 wager, battled at the WPT World Championship, walking away with $25,000 more in his pouch.

Yet, it was at a grand festival that our hero truly shone, finishing as the runner-up in a duel that saw him richer by $115,682. However, all these feats were merely a prelude to his crowning glory at the WSOPC Choctaw Main Event, where Djonli triumphed over all, claiming a king’s ransom of $232,680.

The WSOP Circuit Choctaw was no ordinary gathering. Held at the Choctaw Casino Resort, this event was a magnet for poker aficionados, with 18 ring events that attracted hundreds, all vying for a share of the spoils from a prize pool for the Main Event that soared to $1.2 million.

In the climactic showdown at the WSOP Circuit Choctaw, Djonli faced off against Matthew Barnett, outmanoeuvring him to claim victory. The final table was a gathering of formidable opponents, including Venkat Nagabha, Chris Vickrey, and Kenneth Lemer, who finished third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

The festival kicked off with William Hesser claiming the first victory and concluded with Srinivasa Vadlamudi’s triumph. Amidst these contests, Jason Royman emerged as a notable victor, securing a sizable pot for himself.

Other distinguished gunslingers who left their mark included Gregg Merkow, Eric Bunch, and Cammie Allen, each earning their Circuit rings, with Allen shining in the $250 Ladies Event.

This chronicle of Winston Djonli’s remarkable journey, from a respectable gunslinger to a legendary figure in the poker world, serves as a testament to skill, determination, and the allure of the game. It’s a story that will be etched in the annals of poker history, celebrated by those who understand the thrill of the game and remembered every time cards are dealt and stakes are raised, particularly through the epic tales emerging from the WSOP Circuit Choctaw.

*The saga of Djonli and the WSOP Circuit Choctaw was captured for posterity by the lens of the WSOP Circuit and penned by Connor Richards, a sage chronicler of poker tales, whose contributions to the poker narrative have been invaluable.