Uber Driver Wins WSOP Gold!

The 2nd of the event of the WSOP is finished and in the record books. Many expected, and anticipated the 2016 Colossus II to be one of the biggest events at the WSOP. With the smallest buy in of any WSOP gold bracelet tournament, records were bound to be set. Last year marked the first Colossus tournament and set the record for largest tournament ever. With a $1 million guaranteed first place prize, many thought this year would break that record. While over 21,000 players entered, it fell short of setting that record and became the 2nd largest tournament in poker history. It did however break the record when 3,245 players made the money. This is the largest number of players ever to make the money in a tournament. Eight of those would go on to collect prizes of 6 figures or more. An unlikely player - Benjamin Keeline would go on to win the event and the much needed million in cash. Just a few months prior to the tournament, Keeline was self admittedly “flat broke.” He began driving for Uber – a cab type service that allows anyone with a car to make money as a taxi. He would save up enough for 2 buy ins into the Colossus and crossed his fingers. Those fingers weren't crossed tight enough when he busted rather quickly with his first entry. Taking the last of his buy in money for poker, he entered once again and found himself in dire straits by the end of his day 1. Losing with pocket Kings to Pocket Aces, he was down to a single $500 chip. With antes at $500 and blinds at 1,500/3,000, he was all but finished. He would need to win 109 million in chips to win the tournament. In epic fashion, Keeline made his comeback and would go on to win the event. His final hand was nothing short of dramatic after he thought his opponent caught a miracle two pair on the river. At first, you could the look of despair on his face, but a second glance at the board, he realized the final card gave him a flush and the victory. Keeline wore his heart on his sleeve and didn't hold back from any emotions. An obvious shaken man cried while being interviewed by ESPN. No one will hold that against him though given his miracle run and storied past. This wasn't the first event he has won, and his skills are obvious. In 2011, he won a WSOP circuit event. His total earnings before winning the Colossus II, he had over $400,000 in live tournament winnings. Now we can make the $1.4 million in live tournament winnings.