Joe Cada Bags WSOP 2009 Crown, Youngest Champion At 21

Some people perform their best in the most adverse situation. They love to push hurdles to achieve bigger success. Joe Cada, the youngest champion at the World Series of Poker’s richest event is a burning example.

Joe Cada, 21-year-old community college drop-out emerged from a field of almost 6,500 to claim the $8.55 million top prize in Las Vegas. With a tear in his eye and his lips pursed to hold back obvious emotion, Cada lifted his new bracelet above his head and accepted his role of ambassador to the poker world.

Cada beat out 46-year-old Darvin Moon, a self-employed logger from Maryland, in a head-to-head battle of nearly 3 hours to capture the No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em world championship. The victory comes a year after Denmark’s Peter Eastgate won the event at 22.

Cada started playing poker online at the age of 16 and left Macomb Community College in Michigan to become a professional gambler. This was his first time playing in the main event, the richest of more than 50 tournaments on a circuit founded in the 1970s.

Cada avoided elimination several times during the longest final table in series history. At one point over the weekend, he was down to $2.3 million in chips. He worked his way back and came to the final showdown with $136 million in chips. Moon had $59 million.

Moon, who started playing poker just two years ago, receives $5.2 million as runner-up.

The $10,000 buy-in tournament began in July with 6,494 players. After eight days of competition, nine players advanced to the final table.

The top nine finishers were guaranteed at least $1.26 million.

Winning the game Joe Cada, the graceful young poker champion humbly congratulated his opponent Moon. He also thanked his friends and fans for love and blessings they have showered upon him.