Oklahoma’s own Robert Shuptrine edges out national competition to win 2026 Hard Rock Tulsa Main Event of World Series of Poker

TULSA, Okla. - The 2026 World Series of Poker circuit stop concluded at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa and a new circuit champion has been named. Robert Shuptrine, a Coweta, Okla. native and regular in the Tulsa poker scene, won first place at the Main Event table on Monday. He will represent Hard Rock Tulsa at the 2026 WSOP Paradise at Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Shuptrine, coming off a poker hiatus, beat out a Circuit Main Event field of 478 on Monday to earn $142,758, his first WSOP Circuit ring and a seat at the 2026 WSOP Paradise. He previously placed 44th at the Hard Rock Tulsa Main Event in 2019.

Shuptrine placed 11th after Day 1 of the Main Event. On Day 2, he pulled into the chiplead and eliminated three of the final table players. With just four players remaining on Day 3, Shuptrine took only two hours to secure the win. He shared the final table with runner-up Christopher Stewart and a prize of $95,254. Christy Cranford came in third with $64,890 and John Reynolds placed fourth with $45,153.

WSOP Circuit Events are a series of poker tournaments hosted throughout the United States and the world, beginning in early August each year and culminating the following summer, with the WSOP Paradise event where the victor earns a WSOP gold bracelet.

For more information on WSOP, visit www.WSOP.com.

With more than 2,300 electronic games, signature restaurants and nationally acclaimed live entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa is Oklahoma's unrivaled leader for world-class gaming and hospitality. Located on I-44 east of the Tulsa metro, Hard Rock has been owned and operated by Cherokee Nation Entertainment since 1993. Its reputation is backed by national and regional recognition, earning 24 wins in CasinoPlayer Magazine's 2025 "Best of Gaming Awards" and a record 18 wins in Tulsa World's 2025 "Best in the World" awards. Information on upcoming shows at Hard Rock Live, Track 5., Riff's and Amp Bar is available online at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com or by calling (918) 384-ROCK 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. To explore upcoming events, resort amenities or special offers, connect with us on Facebook, X and Instagram. More information about One Star Rewards® is available at www.onestarrewards.com.