2008 World Series of Poker

Congratulations to Ryan Hughes, Champion of Event #47 ($183,368)

For the second year in a row, Ryan Hughes won a tournament he wasn't even supposed to play.

"I was supposed to go home two days ago but someone emailed me and told me to play," said Hughes. It was the same situation last year, with the same result -- a gold bracelet.

Technically, according to Media Director Nolan Dalla, Hughes is not the defending champion in this event. Every year, there is a higher buy-in stud-8 event and a lower buy-in event. Last year, Hughes won the higher buy-in event. This year, he has won the lower buy-in. No matter to Hughes -- he's thrilled to have his second bracelet.

"The second bracelet means a little more because it's a lot tougher crowd to get into," explained Hughes. "A lot of people get the first bracelet, but the second one means it's not quite a fluke."

For his not-quite-a-fluke, Hughes will pocket $183,368 in addition to that second bracelet to match the first. Congratulations once again to Ryan Hughes.

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