Winston Djonli Claims $232K Victory in WSOPC Million Dollar Main Event

From near-elimination to champion: How a lucky river card and relentless grit turned Winston Djonli’s underdog run into a $232,680 triumph. His five-year grind just paid off.

, and Administrator

2026 January 23 . 1:18 AM

1 min read

The image shows a man wearing a black hoodie and sunglasses, sitting at a table with poker chips in... — The image shows a man wearing a black hoodie and sunglasses, sitting at a table with poker chips in front of him. The background is dark, suggesting he is in the middle of a game of poker.

Winston Djonli Claims $232K Victory in WSOPC Million Dollar Main Event

Winston Djonli has won the $1,700 WSOPC Million Dollar Main Event at Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant, Oklahoma. The victory earned him his first WSOP Circuit Ring and a career-high payout of $232,680. His triumph came after a gruelling three-hour heads-up battle against Matthew Barnett.

Djonli entered Day 2 of the tournament as one of the chip leaders. Though he briefly lost ground, he began the final day fifth in chips, determined to climb back up.

A critical moment came when he went all-in against Chris Vickrey. A lucky seven on the river saved his tournament life, keeping his title hopes alive. By the final three, he faced Venkat Nagabhairava, who held nearly two-thirds of the chips, and Matthew Barnett. Nagabhairava was later eliminated in third place after a string of unfavourable hands. This left Djonli and Barnett to duel for the championship. Their intense match lasted over three hours before Djonli finally secured the win. The victory marks a major milestone for Djonli, who has spent the last five years playing low to mid-stakes tournaments around Austin, Texas. His previous best result was a runner-up finish in a $3,000 event, earning him $115,682—effectively doubling his lifetime winnings at the time.

Djonli’s win at the WSOPC Million Dollar Main Event brings his total career earnings to a new high. The $232,680 prize and his first WSOP Circuit Ring confirm his place among rising poker talents. His performance in Durant, Oklahoma, sets a strong foundation for his future in the game.