Charlie Carrel: Living His Main Event Dream

For most young poker players, the World Series of Poker Main Event is what drew them to the game. ESPN broadcasts of past Main Events have been watched over and over, countless times, with the dream of someday getting to compete in the world’s biggest event. British High Roller Charlie Carrel, who opened the day at the PokerGO and ESPN feature table, is one of those players and as he progresses through Day 5 of this year’s event, those memories are starting to come back.

“I’m pretty sure this is what I’ve always dreamt of. I remember watching when I first started playing poker and thinking, ‘One day, one day I’ll play the Main Event.’” Carrel said on the most recent break. “Then like, as I play the Main Event, ‘One day I’ll run deep.’ and hopefully I’ll be like, ‘Oh, remember that time I said I’d final table the Main Event?’ Got ‘em!”

Carrel is still has some ways to go before he makes those past dreams a reality. There are under 200 players remaining in the Main Event but as a player that entered Day 5 with a very comfortable stack, Carrel is on the cusp of making good on those childhood dreams.

“It’s the anticipation of a good thing,” Carrel said about his Day 5 position, before adding, “It’s like getting ready to feel potentially really good or disappointed.”

Judging by past performances, most would peg Carrel as on his way to the former feeling. Over the last few years, Carrel has traveled the world and left most in his wake. The British crusher burst onto the scene in 2015, winning the EPT 11 Grand Finale High Roller for $1.2 million and then opened the year with a runner-up finish in the PokerStars Championship Bahamas $100,000 Super High Roller for another seven-figure result.

This summer has been more of the same, with Carrel opening his WSOP account with a deep run in the $111,111 High Roller for One Drop and then following that with a podium finish in the $10,000 Heads Up Championship. Despite those impressive results, Carrel is focused on the now.

“My friends are always telling me to take a step back, to look what you’ve done.” Carrel said, before continuing with a smile, “But I want to win another one.”

If the rest of the Main Event goes as planned, Carrel will be adding another massive result to his already lengthy tournament resume but his run hasn’t begun to feel real just yet.

“For this event, I’d say it will start to feel real at the final two tables.” Carrel said, adding, “I’ve watched every episode of WSOP multiple times and to actually be in it would be kind of relatable.”

After opening the day on the PokerGO and ESPN feature table, Carrel is now part of one of those ESPN episodes. Those episodes, if Carrel continues his run, will get watched over and over again by the next up and coming star but for now, this rising star is hoping to continue to play his way through the Main Event.