21 WSOP Winner

There are many ways to celebrate turning 21, and for Steven Kelly, it came in the form of winning his first World Series of Poker bracelet.

The 21-year-old from Camarillo, Ca. won the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Shootout at the WSOP this week, winning both a coveted WSOP bracelet and more than $380,000 cash.

Though Kelly turned 21 on May 1, he is not the youngest player ever to win a bracelet at the WSOP. He is in fact the fifth youngest. As with those players likely, Kelly has a good deal of poker playing experience under his belt.

Kelly said he began playing at the age of 15 and began playing online poker at the age of 18. Early on, he gained credibility with online players and some success. One of his first wins was a $5 buy-in that he turned into $6,000 in winnings.

“I play mostly cash games online, (and) I have had some tournament wins online, but nothing over $100,000,” said Kelly. “This is definitely my biggest cash.”

It was also one of his first live games, given that he only recently became able to play in live tournaments and games.

The event Kelly played in was Event #39 at the WSOP, currently being played at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas. It began Memorial Day weekend and ends mid-July.