Joe McKeehen wins 2021 SHRPO $25k High Roller for $550,000

Joe McKeehen, the 2015 WSOP Main Event winner, added another title to his growing belt of victories by taking down the 2021 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Big 4 High Roller this week, a win worth $550,990.

It is the third win of the year for the Philadelphia pro, McKeehen overcoming a field of 91 entries to the $25,500-buy-in event, which saw Brandon Adams in the money and the likes of David Peters and Joseph Cheong at the final table.

Nine players had returned for the final day’s play and McKeehen headed them in the chip count, telling reporters afterwards: “I came in with a lot of chips and had a lot of hands early. I made some nice hands, won some pots and kind of just stayed afloat from that point on.”

By the time Joseph Cheong departed in 6th spot, losing an ace over ace battle at the hands of Mckeehen, the remaining five players had guaranteed themselves 6-figure paydays.

David Peters, himself having an annus mirabilis with three US Poker Open wins and a WSOP online bracelet just a few weeks ago, couldn’t add another win, falling in the following hand…

♠ ♣ ♥ ♦

Peters: A♠ A♥
Elias: K♣ 7♣
Flop: 6♣ 4♣ 2♥
Turn: K♠
River: 8♣

Peters’ check/call on all three streets saw him out in 5th spot for $128,120 and he was followed to the rail by Jake Daniels and Thomas Boivin, both victims of pocket kings, leaving Darren Elias heads-up against McKeehen.

With more than $1million in the kitty, the players decided a deal was in order, taking $539,135 each and the remaining $11k or so to play for, along with the SHRPO Big 4 High Roller trophy.

Flips were chosen to decide the destination of the hardware and remaining pocket money, and after Mckeehen took the first hand to double-up, it was Elias at risk in the second hand…

♠ ♣ ♥ ♦

McKeehen: J♣ 3♦
Elias: 5♣ 3♣
Flop: Q♦ 7♦ 6♠
Turn: 10♦
River: K♥

That was enough for Joe Mckeehen to take the win, stating afterwards: “I got to three-handed and had some chips. I got a little lucky and that was that.”

Final results

The victory extends his career tournament earnings to $18,234,454. With “only” $7,683,346 of that coming from his epic 2015 WSOP win, McKeehen continues to prove himself as one of the finest players of the modern-day WSOP Main Event winners.