'Unreal': 22-year-old wins $8.7 million as World Series poker champ

msnbc.com

LAS VEGAS - A 22-year-old German poker professional won the World Series of Poker main event and $8.72 million early Wednesday, capturing the title with an ace high after using the same hand to boost himself from a nearly insurmountable disadvantage.

Pius Heinz of Germany wagered the last of his chips against 35-year-old Martin Staszko of the Czech Republic with an ace-king. Staszko held a seven-10 of clubs.

The board was a five of clubs, deuce of diamonds, nine of spades, jack of hearts and four of diamonds, helping neither player but cementing Heinz's win in the no-limit Texas Hold' em tournament.

Staskzo won $5.43 million for second place.

"Have you ever worn it?" Heinz asked 2010 title winner Jonathan Duhamel as Duhamel handed him the gold winner's bracelet.

"It's got to be the happiest day of my life," Heinz said. "But I can't believe what happened — it's unreal." More >