The 2020 WSOP Online handed out two bracelets in High Roller events over the last two evenings. Michael 'miguelfiesta' Lech outlasted a field of 649 players to snag a bracelet and $164,248.92 in cash by winning Event #13 $1500 NL High Roller Freezeout. Joe McKeehen won his third-career bracelet with a victory in Event #14 $3,200 High Roller by fading a field of 496 entrants to win $352,985. The 2015 WSOP Main Event Champion added online bling to his growing collections of WSOP bracelets and rings.
High Rollers are always fun because of the higher stakes and the stacked fields. It's cool when someone who normally doesn't play bigger stakes takes down a High Roller (who doesn't love an underdog?). At the same time, it's always extra special when a pro wins a High Roller because those events are loaded with talented players and a special breed of pro that doesn't back down at the intensified stakes.
The World Series of Poker Online hosted two more events and both were of the High Roller variety. You'll recognize one of the winners: Joe McKeehen. The 2015 World Series of Poker Main Event champion banked over $10 million in WSOP earnings heading into the pandemic-induced virtual series at the WSOP.com.
High Balla week kicked off with 2020 WSOP Online Event #13 $1500 High Roller Freezeout, which attracted 649 players and a prize pool worth a little short of $925K.
Stanton Tentnowski bubbled the final table in tenth place. The final table of nine included Michael 'miguelfiesta' Lech, William 'SlaweelRyam' Romaine, Sean 'SPS8710' Seifert, Chun Lin 'Bingooo' Mo, Paul 'ToTheMoon' Dewald, Connor '666666' Drinan, Chris 'pokeher2014' Fuchs, Megan 'wolverine17' Milburn, and Michael 'wsopmd' Dolle.
Michael 'miguelfiesta' Lech survived a difficult final table that also included Connor '666666' Drinan. Drinan saw his run end when he busted in sixth place. Drinan had a bracelet prop bet with Kid Poker at play in this event, but he missed out on a six-figure bonus when he fell short of the victory.
Only the top 99 places paid out in Event #13. Ryan Depaulo, the self-professed degen who won a bracelet over the weekend by playing from his car, busted in 23rd place in the High Roller.
Other notables who went deep and cashed in Event #13 High Roller included... Wendy Freedman, Luke Donato, Will Givens, Simon Deadman, Danny Wong, Daniel Negreanu, Kou Vang, David Prociak, Jason Somerville, Max Pescatori, Philip Yeh, JJ Liu, Jon Turner, Joe Gallagher, Dan Lupo, Anthony Zinno, Dan Martin, Jesus Ferguson, Zack Epstein, Vinny Pahuja, Mike Marone, Chris Moorman, Matt Stone, Justin Liberto, Aaron Massey, Pierce McKeller, Dan Park, and Steve McManus.
WSOP Online Event #14 $3,200 High Roller attracted 368 original entrants who fired away at 128 additional entries to create a total field of 496 players. The prize pool passed over $1.5 million and only the top 63 places paid out. Jesus Ferguson bubbled this event.
The final table for WSOP Online Event #14 included... Joe 'fanofdapoker' McKeehen, Frank 'thewholefunk' Funaro, Roland 'prngls12' Israelashvili, 'Jaydestar17', 'SoccerDJ', Clayton 'nevarlucky' Maguire, Nathan 'innate9' Russler, and David 'newjerz05' Jackson.
McKeehen banked $352,985 for the online win. Funaro won $219K for a runner-up finish. Not too shabby, eh?
Other notables who went deep in WSOP Online Event #14 and cashed included... Maria Konnikova, Ryan Depaulo, and Ryan Laplante.
McKeehen did not exactly come out of nowhere when he won the big one at the 2015 WSOP for almost $7.7 million. The pro from Pennsylvania added a second piece of bling to his collection when he won a 10K Limit event for a $311K score at the 2017 WSOP. And now he added a piece of online bling to his expansive trophy case.
McKeehen is now a triple bracelet winner before his 30th birthday, which put him in a unique club.
Approximately 50 players in WSOP history won 4 or more bracelets. There's another large group of 50 or so that won three bracelets. Four bracelets seems to be the current demarcation line. At least 25 players won 5 or more bling, while the four-timer club is just short of 25 players. McKeehen put himself in a perfect spot to level up to the four-timer squad. Can he do it before he turns 30?
2020 WSOP Online Results
- Event #13 $,1500 NL High Roller Freezeout: Michael 'miguelfiesta' Lech $164,248.92
- Event #14 $3,200 High Roller: Joe 'fanofdapoker' McKeehen $352,985
