A comeback for the ages: down to a big blind twice, Chang rallied through the largest-ever WSOP Circuit Main Event in Texas to pocket $433,670 and his second ring.
Austin, Texas — In what may go down as one of the most dramatic stories of the 2026 WSOP Circuit, Eric “Slick Ric” Chang staged a stunning comeback to win the record‑setting $1,700 Main Event at Texas Card House Social in Austin. Overcoming two near-busts, he bested a gargantuan field of 2,090 entries to claim the $433,670 top prize and a second WSOP Circuit ring.
The Biggest WSOP Circuit Main Event Ever
This fall’s Main Event at TCH Social shattered previous attendance records, drawing an unprecedented 2,090 entries across three starting flights — the largest field ever for a $1,700 buy‑in WSOP Circuit Main Event. The result was a staggering $3,166,350 prize pool, far exceeding the $2 million guarantee. Both WSOP.com and Card Player confirm the scale and significance of this milestone for the tour.
A Monumental Comeback
Chang’s path to victory was anything but straightforward. According to reporting by Card Player, he was perilously short-stacked not once but twice, down to a single big blind during earlier stages. “I said from Day 2 that if I doubled, I’m going to win this tournament,” Chang admitted in an interview with Poker.Org’s Mike Patrick. “And we somehow sun‑runned our way here… It’s a dream come true.” The win also doubles as the biggest live-cash of his career by more than eight times.
High Drama at the Final Table
The nine-handed final table unfolded like a roller coaster. Brant Jolly opened proceedings from the brink of elimination but ultimately bowed out in ninth for $40,100. Longtime Texas stalwart Kim Stone was sent home eighth for $51,540, followed by Simon Britton (seventh, $66,960), Taylor Fortini (sixth, $87,200), and Eric Tang (fifth, $116,580), as chronicled by PokerNews.
The action only intensified. A heartbreaking cooler saw Chang lose a massive four-handed pot when his queen-high flush fell to Anil Jivani’s ace-high flush — a swing that could have derailed the eventual champion. But Chang hung tough, and when heads-up play began, the chips were nearly even. After about an hour of heads-up battle, Chang finally pulled ahead and sealed the victory with A‑9 holding against A‑5, as detailed by both WSOP.com and Card Player.
A Rising Star—and a Star-Studded Field
Adding to the event’s allure was the presence of 2026 WSOP Main Event champion Lucas Jumalon, who entered the final day with a significant chip lead among the last 18 players. Packed with expectation, his run ultimately ended in 14th place for $19,030 — a deep finish, but not another title. WSOP.com highlights Jumalon’s continued dominance and his ability to threaten the felt across events.
Texas Card House’s Continuing WSOP Success
This tournament was the second WSOP Circuit Main Event held at Texas Card House Austin in 2026. The first, in May, featured 1,709 entries and paid $368,545 to champion Thomas Brabham. The attendance for the September event surged by more than 22%, signaling the explosive growth of Texas poker tournaments and the popularity of the WSOP Circuit in the Lone Star State, as WSOP.com details.
What It All Means
- For Chang, this title cements a breakthrough year—not just as a second ring winner, but now with a landmark, record-claiming bracelet that resonates across the circuit.
- For the WSOP Circuit and Texas Card House, the event underscores the explosive appetite for high-stakes, well-backed tournaments in the region.
- For the poker community, it’s a reminder that no stack is safe until the final card is dealt. Chang’s sun-run and unwavering composure under pressure are now legendary.
In a year already defined by an upward trajectory for the WSOP Circuit, Eric “Slick Ric” Chang’s improbable victory in Austin raises the bar yet again. From near elimination to ring winner, his story is the kind of high-stakes drama that poker thrives on.
Sources
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