One twenty-one year old won’t be asking his parents to borrow the car this summer, because he’ll be able to afford his own after winning a bracelet at the WSOP. Steven Kelly turned 21 on May 1st, making this year his first chance to play at the WSOP. At event #39, which was a $1,500 no limit holdem shootout event, Kelly claimed a modest prize, by WSOP standards, of $382,725.
Kelly has been playing Texas holdem since he was 15, playing at the free sites until he turned 18. He prefers to play ring games rather than tournaments, but has played some tournaments. Early on, he won a tournament with a $5 entry fee, bringing in $6000.
Kelly is a California resident, meaning that he’s been able to play at live events at tribal casinos since he turned 18, and Las Vegas law only allowed him to join the party once he turned 21. He’s the fifth youngest player to win a bracelet.
Kelly was interviewed after his win, and he said “I play mostly cash games online, but I have had some tournament wins online, but nothing over $100,000,” said Kelly. “This is definitely my biggest cash.”
The tournament was a serious tournament. Play started with close to 1,400 players, beginning with 140 tables. Among the players in the event were former gold bracelet winners J.C. Tran, Steve Hohn, Randy Holland, and Robert Mizrachi. Annette Obrestad, who holds the record for the youngest bracelet in the WSOP, not only played, but managed to cash in the tournament. Robert Mizrachi, who took 136th place for about $5,600 took 5th place at event #2 this year, with his brother Michael taking the bracelet. Mizrachi has cashed on events #31 and #43 as well, but has not seen anything higher than 5th place yet this WSOP.