World Series of Poker -- Steven Kelly Wins Event No. 39 ($1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout)

Steven Kelly entered the final day of event No. 39 ($1,500 no-limit hold’em shootout) with one of the slimmest poker résumé remaining.

However, early Thursday morning at the 2010 World Series of Poker, Kelly became one of the more accomplished.

His first major tournament score was two weeks ago in event No. 16 ($1,500 no-limit hold’em six handed). His second deep run resulted in a bracelet and $381,922 in prize money.

Kelly navigated through two ten-handed tables to reach the final 14 on the last day of play. Starting with the same number of chips as experienced pros J.C. Tran, Annette Obrestad and Jeff King wasn’t a problem for Kelly.

When all the chips were done being shuffled, Kelly had beaten King in a quick heads-up contest. King fell short once again at his fifth career WSOP final table.

21-year-old Obrestad’s first WSOP had the chance to be a historic one on Wednesday in the event.

The 2007 WSOP Europe Main Event Champion flirted with the chip lead early on, but lost a couple of crucial coin flips that rendered her short stacked. She eventually fizzled out in 11th place for her third, and by far the deepest, cash of the 2010 WSOP.

Here is a look at the final results:

1. Steven Kelly — $381,922
2. Jeff King — $236,819
3. Derric Haynie — $161,117
4. Dustin Dirksen — $112,214
5. Reagan Leman — $78,361
6. Brett Shaffer — $56,446
7. Paul Varano — $40,887
8. Michael Cooper — $30,119
9. Justin Scott — $22,575

Here are the elimination hands as featured in Card Player’s live updates:

Justin Scott Eliminated in 9th Place ($22,575)

Michael Cooper opened to 65,000 and Justin Scott moved all in for 200,000. Action was folded back to Cooper and he made the call. Cooper exposed the AJ and was racing against the 77 of Scott. The flop came J92 as Cooper hit a pair of jacks. The turn and river bricked for Scott and he was eliminated. Cooper was at 500,000 after the hand.

Michael Cooper Eliminated in 8th Place ($30,119)

Michael Cooper shoved for 343,000 and Dustin Dirksen moved all in over the top. Everyone else folded and Cooper tabled the AQ and was in great shape against the A10 of Dirksen. However, the flop came ten high, giving Dirksen a pair. The pair of tens held and Cooper was eliminated. Cooper was out in eighth and Dirksen was at 760,000 after the hand.

Paul Varano Eliminated in 7th Place ($40,887)

Paul Varano moved all in for 260,000 and Steven Kelly called from the small blind. Kelly exposed pocket aces and Varano tabled the AQ. The board ran out dry for Varano as it came 10447Q and he was gone. Kelly was up to 910,000 after the hand.

Brett Shaffer Eliminated in 6th Place ($56,446)

Brett Shaffer opened to 80,000 from the cutoff and Jeffrey King defended his big blind. The flop came J87 and King checked. Shaffer bet 150,000. King raised to put Shaffer all in. Shaffer called and tabled the A3 and was ahead of the Q9 of King. The K on the turn a brick for King. However, the Q on the river gave King the knockout. King was the chip leader with 2,740,000 after the hand.

Reagan Leman Eliminated in 5th Place ($78,361)

Reagan Leman open-shoved for just 600,000. Jeff King called in the small blind. Leman tabled A5 while King exposed the AQ. The board ran out Q9882 and Lehman was gone.

Dustin Dirksen Eliminated in 4th Place ($112,214)

Derric Haynie shoved from the small blind and Dustin Dirksen called 700,000 for his tournament life. Haynie tabled the Q10 while Dirksen exposed the A10. The flop came Q106 giving Haynie the huge advantage. The 7 on the turn and the K on the river sealed the victory for Haynie. Haynie was over 2,000,000 after the hand.

Derric Haynie Eliminated in 3rd Place ($161,117)

Steven Kelly bet 165,000 and Derric Haynie moved all in for 1,000,000. Kelly called and exposed pocket eights. Haynie tabled the QJ and was off to a race for his tournament life. However, the board offered no help to the over cards as it ran out A92AK, eliminating Haynie.

Jeff King Eliminated in 2nd Place ($236,819), Steven Kelly Wins Event No. 39 ($381,922)

Jeff King shoved for 1,500,000 and Steven Kelly called. King tabled the KQ and had live cards versus the A9 of Kelly. The board ran out J9323 and ace-high held to give Kelly the title.

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