Local poker pro Eric Bunch, boasting lifetime tournament earnings exceeding $2 million, entered the Tulsa series with a bang. He triumphed in the opening event and continued the winning streak alongside his wife, Lauren, forming an unstoppable pair.
Beyond their four rings, the couple showcased their family dominance in the $400 Big O event, with both reaching the final table. Lauren impressively took 4th place, while Eric finished 7th.
The most bizarre and entertaining twist came after Eric's third victory. Despite the series running until September 7, where more titles were within reach, Eric decided to fly home for a pickleball tournament. The rest of the festival and the quest for additional rings were left solely to Lauren.
Eric's First Strike
The festival's opening event drew 220 entries, with Eric Bunch claiming his third career WSOPC ring and a prize of $16,939.
Final Table Results for Event #1: $400 The Opener Double Stack
|
Place |
Player |
Country |
Prize |
|
1. |
Eric Bunch |
USA |
$16,939 |
|
2. |
Michael Varnell |
USA |
$10,976 |
|
3. |
Donald Reeves |
USA |
$7,335 |
|
4. |
Preston Roberts |
USA |
$5,056 |
|
5. |
Chris Hooper |
USA |
$3,599 |
|
6. |
Michael Budde |
USA |
$2,647 |
|
7. |
Deven Taylor |
USA |
$2,015 |
|
8. |
Russell Thorpe |
USA |
$1,588 |
|
9. |
Igor Golovin |
USA |
$1,299 |
Lauren Answers with Her Third Ring
In the third event of the series, Lauren Bunch stepped into the spotlight. Competing in a $400 PLO tournament, which attracted 90 entries, she delivered a flawless performance, earning her third career ring and a prize of $8,245.
Final Table Results for Event #3: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha
|
Place |
Player |
Country |
Prize |
|
1. |
Lauren Bunch |
USA |
$8,245 |
|
2. |
Sean Lindsey |
USA |
$5,265 |
|
3. |
Michael Varnell |
USA |
$3,513 |
|
4. |
David Brown |
USA |
$2,451 |
|
5. |
William Berry |
USA |
$1,792 |
|
6. |
Michael Perrone |
USA |
$1,376 |
|
7. |
Joe Williams |
USA |
$1,113 |
|
8. |
David Cadaoas |
USA |
$950 |
|
9. |
Joshua Brower |
USA |
$860 |
Eric's Second Gold
Eric continued his winning ways in the following event, navigating through a massive field of 895 entries to win the Mini Main Event and a remarkable $46,800.
Final Table Results for Event #4: $400 Mini Main Event
|
Place |
Player |
Country |
Prize |
|
1. |
Eric Bunch |
USA |
$46,800 |
|
2. |
Jonathan Braker |
USA |
$31,202 |
|
3. |
Anthony Teal |
USA |
$21,507 |
|
4. |
Naga Valiveti |
USA |
$15,148 |
|
5. |
Bobby Nair |
USA |
$10,906 |
|
6. |
Matthew Perlman |
USA |
$8,838 |
|
7. |
Jeffrey McMillen |
USA |
$6,052 |
|
8. |
Zach Christ |
USA |
$4,669 |
|
9. |
William Scarsdale |
USA |
$3,690 |
Eric's Hattrick Closure
Eric's incredible festival success was capped in the event dedicated to players over 40. Dominating a field of 422 entries, he pocketed $27,205 and raised his ring tally to five.
Final Table Results for Event #9: $400 40-40-40 NLH
|
Place |
Player |
Country |
Prize |
|
1. |
Eric Bunch |
USA |
$27,205 |
|
2. |
Bobby Scissom |
USA |
$18,104 |
|
3. |
Joseph Ferguson |
USA |
$12,590 |
|
4. |
Daniel Hughes |
USA |
$8,929 |
|
5. |
Lynn Koehn |
USA |
$6,460 |
|
6. |
Kiet Tran |
USA |
$4,770 |
|
7. |
Ronald Hines |
USA |
$3,597 |
|
8. |
Andrew Sterkel |
USA |
$2,770 |
|
9. |
Brian Swafford |
USA |
$2,180 |
Sources: WSOP Live, X