Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010 | 12:30 a.m.
Main Event Payouts
- Jonathan Duhamel (1st) — $8,944,138
- John Racener (2nd) — $5,545,855
- Joseph Cheong (3rd) — $4,129,979
- Filippo Candio (4th) — $3,092,497
- Michael Mizrachi (5th) — $2,332,960
- John Dolan (6th) — $1,772,939
- Jason Senti (7th) — $1,356,708
- Matthew Jarvis (8th) — $1,045,738
- Soi Nguyen (9th) — $811,823
Sun Coverage
- World Series of Poker Live Blog: Duhamel takes world championship bracelet
- John Racener snuck into heads-up play with patient approach at World Series of Poker
- Biggest hand in World Series of Poker history sets up final two
- Live Blog: Duhamel and Racener will play for poker immortality
- 2010 World Series of Poker
Jonathan Duhamel wrapped a Canadian flag around his shoulders and yelled in a manner he usually only unleashes when his beloved Montreal Canadiens score a goal at the Bell Centre in his hometown.
The 22-year-old Duhamel won the World Series of Poker Main Event bracelet and the $8,944,138 first-place prize Monday night at the Rio, beating 24-year-old John Racener in a 43-hand heads-up session.
“It is life-changing,” Duhamel said. “I don’t know how much, but it’s a dream for me.”
At the beginning of this summer’s World Series of Poker, Duhamel had career tournament earnings of about $40,000. He made more than 220 times that Monday night.
Duhamel was primarily an online cash game professional before this summer. He brought enough money to buy into 17 events at the World Series of Poker and hoped for the best in his first prolonged foray into tournament poker.
“I was just coming to the Series looking to make a big score,” Duhamel said. “But I didn’t expect anything like this.”
A renowned group of poker pros watched on as Duhamel became the first Canadian and first French-speaking champion in the 41-year history of the event. Eleven-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth and Poker Hall of Fame inductee Dan Harrington were just two of the names in the crowd.
Last year’s champion, Joe Cada, presented Duhamel with his golden bracelet moments before his friends and family swallowed him up into a sea of celebration.
“I love playing poker so much,” Duhamel said.
It’s safe to say Ace of spades, Jack of hearts will forever be a no-limit hold’em starting hand with a special place in Duhamel’s heart. Those were the cards he won the tournament with.
He pushed all-in before the flop. At more than a 180 million chip disadvantage, Racener was practically forced to call with King of diamonds, eight of diamonds.
The five community cards the dealer spread out did nothing to help Racener’s hand improve. Racener, from Port Richey, Fla., earned $5.5 million for his second place finish.
“I couldn’t get anything going,” Racener said.
The combination of a 6-to-1 chip disadvantage and dealing with Duhamel’s aggression proved too much for Racener. He started the match with 30 million chips and despite doubling up once with pocket Queens, Duhamel never let him eclipse the 40 million mark.
“I didn’t pick up any hands except those Queens,” Racener said. “The next biggest hand I had was Ace-Deuce.”
Racener was understandably somber after the defeat. The poker pro, who had $1.5 million in career earnings before the World Series of Poker, said from the beginning of the final table that first place was his only goal.
Racener, already a regular on the tournament poker circuit, plans to only be around more now after his Main Event run. Playing more poker was also the first thing Duhamel mentioned when asked how he would spend his fortune.
“I’m going to try to be the best ambassador I can be for poker,” Duhamel said. “I’m going to try to put poker where it deserves to be.”
Duhamel did mention one other item he plans to purchase with his winnings — Montreal Canadiens season tickets.
Carnival lasts all year at the Rio. With a float occasionally passing overhead and dropping beads while feathered dancers fire up the gamblers below, the Rio tries to keep its 120,000-square foot casino jumping with excitement. Special Brazilian mixed-drinks are also served throughout the casino. The hotel suites tend to be larger than similar priced rooms on the Strip and many offer excellent views with floor to ceiling windows.
The Rio offers some quality shows like "Penn & Teller" and "Chippendales." Many come to the Rio for the nightlife at the VooDoo Lounge, located on the 51st floor, or McFadden's Irish Pub on the casino level.
Others come for a bit relaxation at the Rio Spa or pool area and still others come to shop at the hotel's 60,000 square feet of shops. In each of these endeavors, the Rio attempts to make the experience a bit more fun and spontaneous.
The Rio also offers guests a variety of dining choices from all-American food at the All-American Bar & Grille to Gaylord India Restaurant for something a little spicier and even Carnival World Buffet for the indecisive.
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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