Self-confessed 'maths nerd' scoops World Series Poker pot

A self-confessed maths nerd and "average Joe" has won A$11 million after taking out the World Series of Poker tournament.

Joe McKeehen, 24, risked US$10,000 and beat out 6419 other players over three days of intense competition before winning the enormous cash prize yesterday, the Associated Press reports.

McKeehan may have looked unassuming in his trackies, compared to many of the other players in their tailored suits, but beneath the casual exterior he is ultra competitive, his mother Gina McKeehen said.

"He’s always been smart, he’s always been competitive," Mrs McKeehen, said, adding that from a young age he had also been obsessed with numbers.

Trips in the car as a toddler and young by would often involve Joe screaming out the numbers he saw on passing buses, Gina said.

"This was a thing to do, every bus we saw," she said.

McKeehen went on to major in mathematics at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania, graduating in 2013.

His senior year professor, Ned Wolff, told the Associated Press when he asked the class what they wanted to do with their degrees, McKeehen’s answer stood out.

"I want to play poker," Mr Wolff said he announced to laughs.

"But they’re not laughing now," Mr Wolff said.