Couden wins first WSOP bracelet

Joey Couden won his first career World Series of Poker bracelet late Thursday night. Couden took first place in Event #53: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha 8 or Better, earning $244,370.

Couden bested a star-studded final tablet that included some of the biggest names in poker, including Daniel Negreanu, Mike Matusow, Eli Elezra and Bruno Fitoussi. Couden, a relative unknown by comparison, didn't let the star power intimidate him. Rather, he enjoyed the opportunity to play with the game's best. "It was a great experience," he said. "It was just a lot of fun, getting to hang out with Matusow and Eli and Bruno. They’re such great personalities."

This is Couden's eighth cash of the 2018 WSOP, and he's already had some deep runs. Three of his previous finishes were in the top 18. He said that in years past, coming close to winning but falling short would have bothered him, and maybe even thrown him off his game. But now he has a different perspective. "As long as I don’t make big mistakes, I feel fine about where I bust."