Maxwell Guo Wins Record WSOPC Cherokee Main Event

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Fri Feb 27, 2026, 8:00 am ET

Read Time: 3 minutes

Maxwell Guo Wins Record WSOPC Cherokee Main Event

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The 2026 WSOP Circuit Harrah's Cherokee Main Event concluded with a stunning breakout performance as Maxwell Guo captured his first gold ring and a massive $386,231 top prize. An Atlanta-based cash game specialist with only two previous tournament cashes to his name, Guo displayed the poise of a veteran to outlast a record-setting field of 1,824 entries. 

The tournament's success, resulting in a prize pool of $2.76 million, further reinforced the event's growing reputation among players who frequent US online poker sites and live tournament circuits alike.

Maxwell Guo Goes Through The Gauntlet

Guo didn't have an easy path to the winner's circle. To claim the title, he had to navigate a final table featuring some of the circuit's most dangerous personalities:

  • Toby Boas: A Cherokee specialist with multiple deep runs at this venue and a WSOP bracelet runner-up finish. He entered the final table as the chip leader and the odds-on favorite.
  • Nicholas Rigby: Known to fans of US online poker sites and televised high-stakes games for his "Dirty Diaper" (3-2 offsuit) antics, Rigby brought a chaotic, high-pressure style to the table.
  • Jesse Jones: The hottest player of the series, having already won the $600 Mini Main earlier in the week. He was hunting for a historic "double" in the same series.
  • Peter Ng: A resilient competitor who started the final day with the lead and eventually forced Guo into a tense heads-up battle.

The Defining Moment: The Trap with Aces

The turning point of the tournament occurred during five-handed play in a massive confrontation between the two biggest stacks: Guo and Toby Boas.

Holding Pocket Aces in position, Guo chose to play his hand deceptively "slow" against the aggressive Boas. After Boas' three-bet pre-flop, Guo merely called. He then check-called a King-high flop and checked back a blank turn. 

When a third nine landed on the river, Boas fired a final bet, only for Guo to spring the trap with a massive check-raise. Boas paid it off, and in one hand, Guo snatched the chip lead and the momentum, leaving the most experienced player at the table crippled.

Closing the Deal

After dispatching Nicholas Rigby in 6th and Andy Robinson in 5th, Guo found himself in a "flip" for the tournament's fate against the surging Jesse Jones. Guo's pocket threes were in trouble against Jones' pocket eights, but a three on the turn delivered a knockout blow to Jones in 3rd place ($184,167).

Heads-up play against Peter Ng was a battle of attrition. Although Ng managed an early double-up, Guo's cash-game background shone through in the final hand. 

On a board of 8-4-3 with two hearts, Ng committed his stack with Pocket Queens, but Guo was sitting on the nut-flush draw with King-high hearts. 

The heart spiked on the turn, ending the match and crowning Guo as the champion of the largest Cherokee Main Event in history.

WSOPC Cherokee Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Payout POY Points
1st Maxwell Guo $386,231 1,080
2nd Peter Ng $257,398 900
3rd Jesse Jones $184,167 720
4th Toby Boas $133,478 540
5th Andy Robinson $98,011 450
6th Nicholas Rigby $72,925 360
7th David Walker $54,991 270
8th David Sathue $42,032 180
9th Nitis Udornpim $32,575 90
Guo's victory is a testament to the bridge between high-stakes cash games and tournament glory. As more players transition from US online poker sites to the live felt, Maxwell Guo has proven that with the right strategy and a bit of "run-good," a newcomer can indeed steal the show.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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