By David Richardson

10/03/2008

                Well Phil Hellmuth did not get his wish to be the first American to take top prize at the World Series of Poker Main Event.  In one of the most grueling final tables of all time the players showed exemplary skill that kept the game going and going.  So how did the final table stack up?

                John Juanda had the advantage going into the final table with the largest chip stack and never looked back.  Juanda has become the first American to take the WSOPE Main Event title in only its second year.  Juanda added to his stellar professional poker record with his fourth WSOP bracelet and a cash prize of $1,541,271.14. 

                But that doesn’t mean Juanda didn’t have to work for it.  Juanda’s win wasn’t the only record setting feat at the WSOPE final table.  It ended up taking 22 hours to get a winner and 484 which made WSOP history.  The head’s up play alone between Juanda and Stanislav Alekhin lasted 7 hours with more than 240 hands played during that time.

                But Juanda hasn’t been the only player of interest in this tournament.  Ivan Demidov has made headlines since making a record himself of being the first and currently only player to have a final table showing at both the WSOP Main Event and the WSOPE main event in the same year.  Demidov gave a preview of what he’ll bring to the table in November when the WSOP final table gathers to decide a winner.  He played impressively throughout, getting taken out by Juanda by a pair of pocket aces for a note-worthy third place.

Here’s how the final table played out:

1st Place - John Juanda, £868,800
2nd Place - Stanislav Alekhin, £533,950
3rd Place - Ivan Demidov, £334,850
4th Place - Bengt Sonnert, £271,500
5th Place - Daniel Negreanu, £217,200
6th Place - Scott Fischman, £171,950
7th Place - Robin Keston, £135,750
8th Place - Toni Hiltunen£108,600
9th Place - Chris Elliot, £81,450