William Oertling outlasted 1,755 entries to win the event
The Beau Rivage Heater series in Biloxi, Mississippi, concluded with a dramatic $1,200 buy-in, $1 million guaranteed main event, crowning 23-year-old William Oertling as the champion. The event, which ran from January 3-13 at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, drew an impressive 1,755 entries, pushing the prize pool to nearly $1.85 million. Oertling, a Louisiana native, walked away with $216,888, the largest cash of his young career.
Earlier in the series, Oertling participated in the $300 buy-in “Rookies” event, restricted to players with less than $25,000 in tournament earnings. Although he didn’t cash in that event, the experience didn’t deter him. Shortly after, he took a shot at the marquee main event and emerged victorious after a competitive field filled with both rising talent and seasoned players.
Reflecting on his journey, Oertling remarked to GulfCoastPoker.net, “I fired one bullet in the rookies event. I had about $20k in cashes, so right under, and yeah I busted it, but it seems like it was all worth it.”
Before this win, Oertling’s career highlights included a pair of $5,000 cashes in Las Vegas just weeks earlier. His triumph at Beau Rivage earned him 1,080 points in the Card Player Player of the Year race, placing him third in the early 2025 standings. The win also marked just the tenth cash of his career, signaling a breakout moment for the young player.
The tournament featured strong performances from notable names, including Gabriel Andrade, John Dolan, and Andrew Dykeman. Cody Stanford added another impressive run to his resume, finishing third for $168,923 after a second-place finish in another $1 million guaranteed event earlier in the series.

Editor at the Big Blind, is a rising star in gambling journalism with a decade of experience, focusing on clear and accessible communication for a diverse audience.