. This is the first World Series title for Klamian, who has cashed a number of times in previous WSP competitions, as well as in several other major poker tournaments. The owner of a sports information service, Klamian has been a poker player since the age of 15.
. "I'm still numb," he said after winning the tournament. "I wasn't going to play today -- I didn't get much sleep last night and was washed out -- but now I'm very happy I did."
. After surviving three all-in confrontations, then winning a huge pot when he eliminated third-place finisher Carl McKelvey, Klamian had an enormous chip advantage over runner-up Cowboy Wolford. A few hands later, it was all over when Klamian, holding pocket queens, raised $30,000 before the flop, and Wolford called with A-8 offsuit. The flop came K-3-2 and both players checked. When an eight fell on the turn, giving Wolford a pair, he moved all in and Klamian called. A second king on the river was no help, and Klamian won the pot and the title with a higher two pair.
. Wolford, a 64-year-old professional poker player from Las Vegas, was awarded $104,310 for his second-place finish. A former PRCA calf-roping champion, Wolford holds one World Series of Poker title, plus a title from the Super Bowl of Poker, and has cashed numerous times in other major competitions. He has been playing poker since age 10.
. Finishing third in the no-limit Hold'em event and pocketing $52,155 was Carl McKelvey of Gulfport, Mississippi. A 52-year-old professional player, he holds titles from the Hall of Fame, the Diamond Jim Brady, and the Stairway to the Stars poker tournaments.
. McKelvey was eliminated from the competition when he reraised before the flop, moving all in with pocket tens against Klamian, who held A-Q. The final board showed A-K-Q-K-6, and Klamian took down the pot with top two pair.
. Annie Duke finished 11th in this event, winning $6,588. She now ranks No. 2 on the women's roster of all-time World Series money winners, with total earnings of $76,123. Johnny Chan, the WSP's overall No. 1 money winner, placed 23rd for $2,745, increasing his total tournament earnings to $2,041,289.