2009 WSOP Main Event - The Final Table

The kid has done it folks! That's right, Joe "The Kid" Cada is your 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion! After 88 hands after heads-up play, Cada flipped his way over Darvin Moon to become victorious. Last year, Peter Eastgate beat Phil Hellmuth's record of 19 years as the youngest Main Event champion. This year, Cada becomes the youngest winner ever just eight days shy of his 22nd birthday, surpassing Eastgate.

Cada came into the final table right in the middle of the pack, sitting fifth in chips. He slipped early on, but found some timely double ups to bring him right back into contention. After eliminating Antoine Saout in third place, Cada set the stage for an epic heads-up battle between himself and Moon.

The chip lead would change hands numerous times during heads-up play, but it was Cada who won the two most important all-in pots of the night. First, he dodged Moon's straight draw when he put himself at risk calling off with second pair. After Moon failed to connect on the river, Cada not only survived, but regained the chip lead.

A few hands later, Moon and Cada found themselves all in preflop with Moon the player at risk. Cada held the slight lead with pocket nines to Moon's . Those nines will forever hold a place in the youngster's heart as they held true till the end, giving Cada the victory.

Upon being presented with the bracelet, Cada thanked all of his fans, many of whom took off from work and school to come support him. He also made sure to congratulate all of the members of the final table and asked the crowd to give a round of applause for all of them, especially Moon.

Congratulations to Joe Cada for winning the 2009 WSOP Main Event!

Everyone at PokerNews.com would like to thank all of you that stayed with us for every flop, turn, and river from the 2009 World Series of Poker! Be sure to check out all of our coverage from upcoming events. Until then, goodnight from Las Vegas!

Hand #364 -

Joe Cada has the button. It's 3 million again, and Moon is looking like a re-raise this time. Indeed, he does three-bet it up to 8 million, and Cada double-checks his cards before announcing an all in. Moon double-checks his own cards and quickly makes the call for his tournament life! Just like that we've got an enormous pot!

With just under 150 million chips up for grabs, the cards are turned over:

Cada -
Moon -

It's pandemonium inside the theater. The crowd is jumping up and down in the balconies as everyone screams their orders at the stage. The spectators on stage lean in towards the players, jockeying for position to catch a glimpse of this monumental board. With the eyes of the poker world staring intently at the table, the dealer burns a card and runs the flop:



That's clean and safe for Cada, now two cards away from poker glory. Moon is standing up behind his chair with a blank stare, and Cada can't bear to watch. He's over in the stands, clutched in the arms of Cliff Josephy. The tension mounts again as the turn card falls:



That's an awfully scary paint card, but it's safe for Cada. Moon will need to catch a queen or a jack to prevent Joe Cada from wining every last chip in play. The drama is too great for words. There's one more card to come. With the tension coming to an absolute climax, here comes your river card:



A deafening roar echoes through the rafters as Joe Cada is swarmed by his friends and family in the crowd. Darvin Moon shakes his head and paces slowly away from the table. Cada comes over to shake his hand, and the two men exchange pleasantries before Moon's exit. After a truly legendary run for Darvin Moon, his Main Event is done.

Darvin Moon has the button. He gives Joe Cada another walk and we're on to the next hand.

Joe Cada has the button. There's another raise to 3 million, and Moon doesn't want to play this one.

From the stage: "You got this, Joe. This is your game."

From the balcony: "Get those chips, Joe!"

Darvin Moon has the button. Joe Cada gets a walk.

Joe Cada has the button. Darvin Moon gets a walk.

Darvin Moon has the button. He raises to 3.0 million and gets a call from Joe Cada. The flop comes down and Cada checks. Moon fires 5.0 million. Cada calls.

The turn brings the . Cada checks again. Moon fires 10.0 million and is met with a call from Cada.

The river completes the board with the and Cada checks. Moon double checks his cards before checking behind. Cada shows two pair with the and Moon mucks.

Cada is up to 120.1 million and Moon is down to 74.7 million.

Joe Cada has the button. He raises to 3 million, and Moon quickly calls. The flop comes out . Both players check, and as the comes on the turn, Moon is already reaching for chips. He slides out a stack of beige chips worth 5 million and takes down the pot.

Darvin Moon has the button with Joe Cada fresh off his double up. Moon raises to 3.0 million and Joe Cada calls.

The flop is and both players check. The turn is the and both check again.

The river is the and Cada checks. Moon fires 11.0 million and Cada quickly folds.