Kevin MacPhee Clinches WSOPE Main Event Title

October 26th, 2015 | by Kaycee James

Kevin MacPhee takes down the WSOPE Main Event title and banks just short of $1 million. (Image: PokerStars.com)

The latest incarnation of the World Series of Poker Europe’s (WSOPE) Main Event came to a conclusion on Sunday, and when the chip rifling was over, a victorious Kevin MacPhee stood smiling in the spotlight.

In 2013, the last time the WSOPE Main Event was played, the organizers welcomed 375 entrants, but this year the total number of buy-ins was down slightly.

Regardless of the downswing, 313 entrants still anted up €10,450 ($11,555) to fight for a coveted bracelet and produced some enthralling poker in the lead up to Sunday’s finale.

An All-Star WSOPE Cast

In fact, thanks to the more intimate nature of the WSOPE Main Event in comparison to the WSOP Main Event, a higher concentration of pros make it deep, and this year was no exception.

Erik Seidel, JC Alvarado and Andrew Lichtenberger, were all present during Sunday’s final table and all intent on preventing MacPhee from claiming his first WSOPE title.

Despite holding a healthy chip stack at the start of play, the selection of world class players on display meant that literally anyone could walk away with the title.

Fortunately, for MacPhee, taking on some of the toughest players in the world live and online is like second nature and, far from being star struck, he managed to thrive against his toughest foes.

After helping contribute to the demise of Seidel, Alvarado and Lichtenberger, MacPhee eventually found himself heads-up with Spain’s David Lopez.

MacPhee Weathers Storm to Win Bracelet

Taking a 2:1 chip lead in the final showdown, MacPhee was forced to weather some early storms, before he could scoop the final pot and lift the winner’s trophy.

Stealing the momentum back Lopez, MacPhee gradually wore down his Spanish opponent and clinched the title after his Ad 4d caught a lucky card on the turn to beat Lopez’s kings.

Despite the rail, which included MacPhee’s girlfriend, calling out for an ace, the 7c 5h 2h 3c Js board was enough to give MacPhee an unbeatable straight and secure him the remainder of Lopez’s chips.

As his friends and fans rushed the stage, an overjoyed MacPhee posed for the cameras with his latest piece of poker silverware and a cash haul worth €883,000 ($976,781).