Youngest Ever WSOP Champ

Earlier today, Joseph Cada, at just 21 years of age, became the youngest poker player ever to win the Main Event of the World Series of Poker (WSOP).

However, the $8.5 million in prize money that Cada ultimately took home didn't come easily. Cada had to overcome fellow American player, Darvin Moon, in a gruelling final table which in itself smashed another record in the history of the WSOP, that is, the longest ever US Main Event final table.

In the wee hours of this morning after more than 14 hours of play and 364 hands of heads-up Texas Hold'em poker, only Cada and Moon remained at the table. Other fellow American players including Eric Buchman, Steven Begleiter, Jeff Shulman, Joseph Cada, Kevin Schaffel and Phil Ivey, together with Antoine Saout of France and the UK's James Akenhead had fallen by the wayside. In the final three hours, only Cada and Moon were left standing. At one point, Cada only held 1 per cent of the chips in play and was very nearly eliminated. However, Cada held his nerve under pressure and fought back.

Ultimately, Cada defeated Moon with pocket nines against QJ in what is certainly to become one of the most memorable moments in the WSOP's history. WSOP President and Commissioner, Jeffrey Pollack was rightly quoted as saying that, "this has been the most exciting Main Event Final Table I've ever witnessed."

Peter Eastgate was the previous record holder who won the 2008 WSOP when he was 22 years old. And the only other table that has been longer than this year's WSOP final table was the 2008 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event.