McKeehen Takes Down Event #1 for Second Gold Ring
The final stop of the 2012/2013 World Series of Poker Circuit kicked off in New Orleans on Thursday, May 9, 2013. The city has been the last stop on the schedule every season dating back to 2005, and it’s no surprise to see pros and amateurs turn out in full force to chase last-minute points toward the National Championship. That was evidenced in Event #1 $365 No-Limit Hold’em, which drew 367 players and created a prize pool of $110,100.
The event attracted some big names including two-time gold bracelet winner and gold ring winner Howard “Tahoe” Andrew, who cashed for the 18th time on the WSOP Circuit. Others who cashed in the event were Bossier City Casino Champion Quan Nguyen, two-time gold ring winner Tripp Kirk and gold ring winners Josh Pender and Joshua Evans.
Another ring winner in the event was 21-year-old poker pro Joseph McKeehen, of North Wales, Pennsylvania. You may recall McKeehen as the Caesars Atlantic City Main Event champion from back in March, a victory that earned him his first ring, $174,000 in prize money and a seat into the National Championship. On Friday, May 10, McKeehen won his second gold ring this season.
McKeehen, who recently graduated from Arcadia University in Pennsylvania, made it to the final table as the chip leader and never looked back. One by one his opponents fell until he was heads up again Randall Lefere of Houston, Texas. In what would be the final hand, the players got the chips in on the turn and both had a pair of aces. Lefere had the better kicked, but McKeehen got lucky and caught two pair on the river to clinch victory in less than three hours.
McKeehen claimed his second ring of the season and $24,219 in prize money.
WSOP Circuit Harrah’s New Orleans Ring Event #1 No-Limit Hold’em
| Buy-in | Entrants | Prize Pool |
|---|---|---|
| $300+$65 | 367 | $110,100 |
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joseph McKeehen | North Wales, PA | $24,219 |
| 2 | Randall Lefevre | Houston, TX | $14,968 |
| 3 | Richard Pope | Alvin, TX | $10,937 |
| 4 | Justin Booth | Dallas, GA | $8,121 |
| 5 | Thomas Lynch | Weldon Spring, MO | $6,124 |
| 6 | Ryan Pinell | Chauvin, LA | $4,687 |
| 7 | Jody Spears | Philadelphia, PA | $3,640 |
| 8 | David Melius | New Orleans, LA | $2,867 |
| 9 | Brandon Guillory | Opelousas, LA | $2,290 |