The day began with nine players and was very quickly reduced to seven as Brian Foley's short stack was knocked out in the first few hands and Dong Meng followed him out the door in 8th when his queens ran into kings. Paredes would stay steady on Day 2 where he was never a huge stack but still was able to fight his way to the final table and then from there execute his strategy, which he said included staying wary of one particular player at the final table who he considered dangerous and ultimately taking control three-handed after rising up from being the short stack at five-handed play. But a long wait line at the cash tables sent him back for another try in the Main Event, which would ultimately become a fateful decision. Paredes's path to the title was a bit unusual as he re-entered late on Day 1A after not initially planning to do so after his bust earlier in the day. And I figured out what that was and now here I am' he said in reference to his recent good run of results. I saw the same guys always winning here in Thunder Valley and I thought they have to be doing something. But I am a lot better now than I used to be.

This victory gives Paredes his largest victory of his poker career so far, his previous highest score being for $78,604 as the runner up in a WSOP NLH/Omaha mix event in October. But to finally get it done at the Main Event is a huge relief and excitement'. Vegas, Reno, everywhere, except here, which doesn't make any sense because it's only an hour and half away. 'I have won a lot of tournaments but I have never won one here.

Victor Paredes of Modesto, CA, emerged as the winner to earn his first ring, $169,294 and to get 'get the monkey off of his back' by getting a win at what he considers his home casino. (January 24 2022) - The final day of the World Series of Poker Circuit at Thunder Valley Main Event has come to its conclusion after about nine hours of final table play. Victor Paredes takes down $1,700 Main Event to earn his first WSOP gold ring coupled with $169,294.

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