WSOP Final Table result

World Series of Poker Main Event, $10,000 No-limit Hold’em, The Rio Casino, Las Vegas, November 9th-10th 2008

Entrants: 6,844

Buyin: $10,000

Prizepool: $64,431,779

1. Peter Eastgate, Denmark, $9,152,416
2. Ivan Demidov, Russia, $5,809,595
3. Dennis Phillips, USA, $4,517,773
4. Ylon Schwartz, USA, $3,774,974
5. Scott Montgomery, Canada, $3,096,768
6. Darus Suharto, USA, $2,418,562
7. David ‘Chino’ Rheem, USA, $1,772,650
8. Kelly Kim, USA, $1.288,217
9. Craig Marquis, USA, $900,670

PokerStars player Peter Eastgate has became the youngest Main Event champion after winning the 2008 World Series of Poker (WSOP) earning him $9,152,416 million. The 22-year-old professional poker player from Odense, Denmark broke Phil Hellmuth’s 19 year record for youngest main event champion that he set in 1989 at the age of 24. Eastgate also made history by playing in the first ever all European heads up WSOP Main Event showdown.

“It’s an honour to hold the record as youngest World Series of Poker Main Event champion,” said Eastgate. “I played really solidly throughout this tournament and I’m proud of that. This gives a new level of credibility for young online players. Thanks to sites like PokerStars, we have become a force to face on the felt.”

Eastgate is one of the top cash poker players in Denmark, and has already made a name for himself in several tournaments across Europe and online. Earlier this year, he finished in the top 30 at PokerStars EPT Copenhagen and made the final table of the Irish Poker Open in 2007. During the three month break, Eastgate has been playing $200-400 No Limit Hold’ Em on PokerStars to sharpen up for the final table.

“Peter is the kind of player who is not afraid to put you under the gun,” said Team PokerStars Pro Noah Boeken. “I’m impressed by the way he played this tournament. He is a great testament to the young, up-and-coming European players in the poker field.”

The soft spoken and stone cold Eastgate is known for his ultra-aggressive playing style, which was evident in this year’s final table. He headed into the final table in fourth place with a stack of more than 18 million in chips. Entering heads up play, Eastgate was ahead in chips, $79.5 million to $57.7 million, and never looked back. The deciding and historic hand for Eastgate came when Demidov’s two pair, fours and deuces ran into Eastgate’s straight, Ace to the five.

It was a bittersweet ending for fellow PokerStars player Ivan Demidov, who finished second earning him $5,809,595. Demidov raised the money to enter the Main Event with the help of a friend, who “invested” in the young Russian poker sensation.

“When the field is as tough as this, it really comes down to who has the best cards, but I’m happy with how I played,” said Demidov. “This experience will change my life and my career in poker. I look forward to getting to play in all of the biggest tournaments in the world now and spreading the popularity of poker back home. Win or lose, it’s the best game in the world!”

Demidov entered the final table as the overwhelming favourite by many for his strong play over the past few months. In October, Demidov finished third in the WSOP Europe main event to become the only player in history to make both WSOP main event final tables. After his successful run in Europe, Demidov was the one to watch going into the final table. The 27-year old, Moscow native gets his inspiration from Team PokerStars Pro Alex Kravchenko, who finished fourth in the 2007 main event; the pair are examples of the growing poker field in Russia.

“Ivan’s game has really impressed me this year,” said poker legend and Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu. “I played with him on at WSOPE final table and he has shown that he knows deep stack poker and can run with the best.”

The WSOP Main Event had an unprecedented three-month break this year inbetween narrowing the field down to nine and playing the final table. While it remains to be seen if that experiment continues next year, our congratulations go out to the new great Dane, Peter Eastgate.