"Thank you to everybody for being here, it's a dream come true," Duhamel said. "I don't know what to think, I don't know what to say," came from Duhamel as the grand finale to four months of the 2010 Main Event of the World Series of Poker came to an end. "Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole!" chants rang from Duhamel's cheering section as he posed for photos with his newly acquired, change-your-life pocket change of $8,944,310, and confetti falling from the sky. His fans hoisted him in the air and showed him to the world from their shoulders.
The cash isn't the only thing that will change his young life. Duhamel is the first Canadian citizen in history to win the World Series of Poker Main Event in the 41-year history of the WSOP and only the sixth non-American to ever win the event. At 23 years of age, the poker pro is also sponsored by PokerStars, and ready to take on the world. He snagged the right of first Canadian to win a WSOP Main Event from Daniel Negreanu. Duhamel will be in the spotlight, in the news, and first on tap as everyone dreams of filling their glass with his accomplishments in poker this year.
John Racener and Jonathan Duhamel were the last two standing of the November Nine to face off on Monday, November 8th, at 8 p.m. PST in the Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada. Before the final battle began Dan Harrington and Erik Seidel were inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame and Frank Kassela officially became the WSOP Player of the Year.
Heads-up play lasted 43 hands with Duhamel holding a 6 to 1 chip lead over John Racener when the match started. Racener managed one double up when Duhamel shoved with 
and Racener looked down to 
in the big blind and called. The board ran out 
and Racener doubled up to 36.9 Million. The rest was all downhill for Racener, although he managed to claim a few chips at intermittent stages, climbing to 43.25 million shortly after when he held on a board of 
. Racener's game appeared to be lacking in aggression and Duhamel kept applying pressure. Racener did raise on the button to 3.75 million at one point and Duhamel reraised all-in; Racener folded.
After more limping and folding on Racener's part, his chip stack had been depleted to 14.95 million when Duhamel shoved with 
and Racener called all-in with . The board gave nothing to help Racener: 
.
John Racener took home $5,545,955 for his second place finish and his fans rushed to console him. Second place isn't the goal and can be heartbreaking but there is only one winner. Racener will have many opportunities in the coming years with his quest to obtain gold.
Jonathan Duhamel's quest for gold was accomplished. When he was released from the shoulders of his chanting Canadian sweaters, he took a moment to spend with Racener and then stepped up to the plate, ready for his role as the new reigning champion of the World Series of Poker. As Jack Effel continued with announcing the news, Joe Cada, last year's champion and youngest Main Event winner, awarded the bracelet to Duhamel.
What a way to end your World Series of Poker and begin your introduction to the world, $8,944,310 in cash, a gold bracelet, and the future just waiting for you to write it. Big congrats Jonathan!
*Photo courtesy of PokerStars blog*