Quebec’s Jonathan Duhamel is First Canadian to Win the World Series of Poker
Duhamel Wins World Series of Poker
- Twenty-three year old Jonathan Duhamel outlasted a field of more than 7,300 contestants to take home the grand prize of nearly $9 million.
The 41st annual poker tournament began in early July, and the top nine players were invited to come back for the finals on Saturday.
Duhamel and Florida’s John Racener emerged as the two top players when the final round began Monday night at the Rio hotel in Las Vegas.
But Duhamel’s large 6-to 1 chip lead held, so Racener took home over $3.5 million dollars for his second-place finish.
Racener didn’t go down easy, it took Duhamel 43 hands to finish off the Florida pro.
Duhamel earned the top prize of $8.9 million, while Racener seemed very content to pocket the $5.5 million for his runner-up finish. Here are the complete final table payouts for the
Duhamel’s previous best prize was just under $55 thousand when he finished 10th in a 2008 tournament.
Threre were 150 Canadians cheering Duhamel on. USA Today quotes Duhamel reaction to his new celebrity, “It’s weird but it’s kind of fun at the same time. I’m not used to people (asking for autographs). It’s new for me, but I enjoy it a little bit.”
Duhamel added, “With poker I saw that I had chances to make it. I tried to do everything I could and I just tried to up my game the best I could.”
I try my best to try and be the best,” Duhamel says. “If I do something, I want to do it 100 percent.”
Duhamel is now the third non-American to win the World Series of Poker.
