All eyes were on the final table at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, last night as PokerStars sponsored player, 21-year-old Michigan native Joseph Cada went head’s up against Darvin Moon, a 46 year old logger from western Maryland. After just 2.5 hours of play, Cada emerged victorious with $8.5 million in winnings, the WSOP championship title and a new record as the youngest Main Event champion in the history of the World Series.

Joe plays online at PokerStars under the name ‘jcada99’ joins the family of previous PokerStars World Champions; Peter Eastgate (2008), Joe Hachem (2005), Greg Raymer (2004), Chris Moneymaker (2003), Tom McEvoy (1983) and world renowned players like Daniel Negreanu, Vanessa Rousso and Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier.

“I’m stunned and amazed that it ended as I had hoped,” said the 2009 WSOP Champion and PokerStars sponsored player Joe Cada. “Winning is a dream come true for me and I’m grateful to have won against a serious opponent.”

 

Cada began the night with 135,950,000 chips, nearly a 3:1 lead over Moon. After several crucial hands and big swings in chips to both players, Cada clinched the championship title when he raised pre-flop to three million with a pair of 9’s. Moon made it eight million with a Jack and Queen of diamonds, when Cada shoved all in. Finally, the board ran out: 8,2,7,K,7 and Cada’s cunning won him the massive $8.5 million victory.

Cada became the youngest Main Event winner in the history of the WSOP. He broke the previous record held by Team PokerStars PRO Peter Eastgate, who won last year’s Main Event aged 22. Cada has played in tournaments in Canada, as well as at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in the Bahamas and the PokerStars.net Latin American Poker Tour in Costa Rica.

Cada began playing online poker at PokerStars. By the time he was 19 he had bought his first house. Prior to securing his seat at the final table, Cada had won more than $500,000 in career winnings. More aptly called “The Comeback Kid” today he stands as one of the wealthiest players in the sport.

The 40th World Series of Poker Main Event began with 6,494 entrants four months ago and a massive prize pool of $61,044,921. This year PokerStars sent a total of 1,823 players to the WSOP Main Event, more than any other site.