Updated on 22 Feb 26 by
Barry Carter
Poker Expert

Joe McKeehen wins the 2015 WSOP Main Event

The World Series of Poker concludes with one of the most dominant final table performances in recent memory.

WSOP leader Joe McKeehen
Joseph McKeehen

He came to the final table with a commanding lead, and not once did he give it up. Not since Jamie Gold in 2006 has a WSOP Main Event been won so decisively.

The 24-year-old bested a field of 6,420 to win the title and $7,683,346 - the biggest tournament prize of the year. 

McKeehen was quick to point out what a trouble-free final table it was for him:

It was very smooth. Just the way the cards came out -- it wasn’t like I had many tough decisions. It was definitely easier than facing adversity, or having to come back from behind.

This year's final table was getting a reputation for being one of the slowest in WSOP history, after just 143 hands in the first two days. However, McKeehen made short work of the third and final day, dispatching of Neil Blumenfield then Joshua Beckley in just two hours. 

The former Ice Cream truck worker from Philadelphia wowed everyone with his play before and after the final table (He also won a Wynn Poker Classic event during the four month break). However, he has also impressed everyone with his good-natured and respectful demeanour, and it looks like we may have another excellent Main Event champion flying the flag for poker.

WSOP Main Event Final Table
Position Player Prize
1st Joseph McKeehen $7,683,346
2nd Joshua Beckley $4,470,896
3rd Neil Blumenfield $3,398,298
4th Max Steinberg $2,615,361
5th Zvi Stern $1,911,423
6th Thomas Cannuli $1,426,283
7th Pierre Neuville $1,203,293
8th Federico Butteroni $1,097,056
9th Patrick Chan $1,001,020
Number of entrants: 1 (6,420)

Did you watch the final? What did you think of our new champion? Let us know in the comments.

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Poker Expert

Barry Carter is the editor of PokerStrategy.com and the co-author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 & 2, Poker Satellite Strategy, PKO Poker Strategy, Endgame Poker Strategy, GTO Poker Simplified, Mystery Bounty Poker Strategy and Beyond GTO. In 2025, he won the Global Poker Awards for Best Book and Twitter Personality of the Year.