Greg Merson Wins World Poker Championship

On the morning of the 31st October 2012 Mr Greg Merson became the WSOP Main Event winner taking away $8,531,853, the Event bracelet and the kudos that comes with being the world champion. The final heads up session lasted almost 18 hours, not far from the record, and it was surprising Greg had the strength to smile for the photos, mind you, knowing you have just pocketed that sort of money would probably help a little. He left Jesse Sylvia in second place and Jake Balsiger in third. The 24 year old from Maryland also won the WSOP player of the year award which is based on points accumulated over the course of all 68 events, pipping none other than Phil Hellmuth to the post.

How it all Went Down.

The $10,000 buy in Main Event hit a total of 6,598 entrants making it the 5th largest live event in history. The players came from all walks of life, of course there were many pros as always, once in a life time players, wealthy players who deep down knew they had no chance but at least they can say they tried and a large amount of players who had qualified via online satellites that were held at most online rooms. So way back in July, in the heat of the desert the players took to the tables. As always days 1 and 2 saw players dropping like flies and a few famous faces went out too. After reaching the final table, the nine players had to wait a nerve jangling 103 days to re-start and with so much money up for grabs that must have felt like a lifetime. Merson is known as a cash player and has been in some long hard games but says that nothing can prepare you for anything like this. Eventually we get down to the final three of Merson, Sylvia and Balsinger and the game turns into more of a test of mental and physical endurance rather than a game of poker. It becomes deadlocked with no one wanting to make a move whilst under that much stress. Then when play got down to two and the sun started to rise over Las Vegas Merson takes the final and the winning pot with a lowly King high. The relief was visible on Mersons' face and it was an extremely touching moment as the tears rolled down his face as he placed the Bracelet on his mothers wrist.