North Wales Man Has $60 Million Lead Heading Into Poker World Series

It started out just as a hobby.

When North Wales’ Joe McKeehen was 16-years-old, he began playing poker just for fun on the Internet and with his friends.

“We never played for money or anything,” he said. “I saw it on TV and decided that it was something I wanted to try. As the years went on, I felt like I was pretty good so I just kept playing.”

He was right.

And a few years later, he sits atop the standings as the overall chip leader heading into the final table of the prestigious World Series of Poker. He has over $60 million in chips to his name, comprising more than a third of all the chips in play.

He’ll face off against the rest of the “November Nine” players for the world championship in Las Vegas on November 8.

A La Salle High School and Arcadia University graduate with a Mathematics degree, McKeehen is straightforward and nonchalant about his success. Money was what initially lured him to continue competing.

“When I decided to become a professional I thought it was because I could make a lot of money in a small amount of time compared to someone working a job out of college,” he said.

But he also sought the thrill of victory.

“My favorite part of the game is winning. Anyone that answers this question with any other answer is probably lying. The goal is generally to win as much as you can,” he added.

McKeehen’s success in the summer’s preliminary rounds of the tournament led to his recent sponsorship deal with 888poker, a New Jersey-based online gaming site.

His mindset heading into the final table is clear. He has no complex ritual or winning formula leading up to an event. There is no secret.

”I don’t do anything to prepare. I see what time I want to arrive at, and I make sure I’m there at that time. It’s just poker.”

“Hopefully, I’ll be world champion.”

The final table begins at 2:30 p.m. EST, at the Penn and Teller Theater at Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, on November 8.