2012 World Series of Poker › Event 61: $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event

Jesse Sylvia Eliminated in 2nd Place ($5,295,149)

Posted 2012-10-31 GMT-6

Jesse Sylvia - 2nd Place

Hand #399:

Greg Merson had the button, and raised to four million. Jesse Sylvia three-bet to 9.5 million, Merson four-bet jammed for effectively 69.3 million, and Sylvia went into the tank.

Sylvia sat up in his chair, silently riffling a stack of red T500,000 chips with his left hand. He began swerving back and fourth in his chair while Merson sat motionless. After 30 seconds or so, Sylvia said something to Merson, who didn't budge.

Eventually, Syvlia asked the dealer to pull in the bets. When the dealer obliged, Sylvia examined the pot, then looked back at a projector to examine the chip stacks to start the hand.

Finally, he called.

Sylvia:
Merson:

Chants of "P! O! Y!" filled the stands as the dealer rapped the table and fanned . No help to Sylvia.

"Deuce!" one fan yelled. "Diamonds!" yelled another.

Sylvia's section was silent as the turned. Merson's cheering section exploded.

The Penn & Teller Theater fell deathly silent, and Jack Effel called for the river card.

It was the .

Confetti poured from the ceiling as Merson's family and friends rushed the stage. They were stopped by security before they could go too far however, and had to cheer from the stands.

Jesse Sylvia, who entered the final table as the chip leader, will take home $5,295,149, and Greg Merson is the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event champion!

Tags: Greg Merson, Jesse Sylvia.

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