Bloomfield Township resident Alan Keating (right) made it in the money at the World Series of Poker main event.

Keating finished 102nd out of 6,358 players & women poker players and took home $58,570. His buy-in was $10,000.

Keating, 21, was the best Michigan finisher. Only 36 players remained after Saturday's play, which is being taped in Las Vegas and will air on ESPN starting Aug. 21. Play $500 match poker bonus.

"I'm disappointed," Keating said. "I really thought I could win, but I feel good about how far I came."

The no-limit Texas hold 'em main event was Keating's first big splash on poker's biggest stage. The 21-year-old has been playing the game since high school. He's now a marketing major at Michigan State.

Keating said he raised half of the buy-in by beating his buddies in the dorms and others and has played online poker. A friend of his, who will receive half of the prize money, put up the rest.

Keating was eliminated by 24-year-old poker pro Maria Ho, the last woman remaining in the field.

"I play a tight-aggressive style," he said. "I pick a spot and when I go in, I go all-in. I never limp into a hand."

Keating had put all his chips in against Ho with an unsuited ace and queen.

He was ahead of Ho, who had called his bet with an unsuited king and jack.

But luck took over, and the flop was jack, king, five, giving Ho two pair and Keating a straight draw. The turn and river produced a jack and five of clubs, eliminating Keating. Download poker wallpapers.

Keating had hoped to take the $8.25-million grand prize so he could "finish school and pay for college for the entire next generation of my family."

Keating sat at the same table as some big names, including former champions Carlos Mortensen and Huck Seed. He said the coolest person he met was Godsmack lead singer Sully Erna, the last celebrity eliminated.

Most of the pros such as Phil Hellmuth and Doyle Brunson busted out early. Only a few big names, such as Gus Hansen and former winners Scotty Nguyen and Seed, remained Saturday. Stay tuned to our poker blog for more updates.

Poker News Source: freep.com