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Greg Merson, left, stacks chips after winning a pot during the World Series of Poker Main Event final table at the Rio on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. Jesse Sylvia is at right.
Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012 | 10:09 a.m.
Three young poker players -- all in their 20s -- sit down this evening and fight for the top $8.53 million 2012 World Series of Poker prize and the prestigious title at the Rio.
Part-time Las Vegas resident Jesse Sylvia, 24, is in 2nd with 62 million chips. Jake Balsiger, 21, from Tempe, Ariz., would become the youngest Main Event champion in history if he can jump from 3rd with 46 million chips. The leader is Greg Merson, 24, from Maryland with 88 million chips.
Second place receives $5,295,149, and 3rd takes home $3,799,073. Follow the full reporting of Monday’s near eight hours of play, which saw six players eliminated, at our Las Vegas Sun Sports colleague Case Keefer’s live blog at LasVegasSun.com.
Our other Las Vegas player, Jeremy Ausmus, 33, busted out in 5th place and walked away with a cool $2,155,313.
Watch the final action today live on ESPN starting at 6 p.m. PT from the Rio. Three hours earlier, the Final Three players meet with media to discuss strategy -- and their dreams of victory -- before the Hall of Fame induction ceremony honoring Eric Drache and Sailor Roberts.
We’ll have a report of tonight’s winning plays here at Vegas DeLuxe on Wednesday.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.
Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
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.
WSOP should stop this BS- Main Event winner should have been chosen 3 months ago.
WHO CARES!