The Beast claims the title and the $8,361,570 prize

Earlier this year, during the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open, Ryan Riess stated in an interview that he will win the 2013 WSOP Main Event and that the title means more for him than the money. His confidence remained at a high level before the final table started and he told ESPN that he was the best player at the table.

After a total of 261 hands from the moment the November Nine took their seats, Riess was proved right as he became the 45^th world champion and cashed in the over $8.3 million first place prize.

2013 WSOP Day 9

The last day of the tournament saw Ryan Riess go up against Jay Farber in a heads up match for the title. Farber had a small chip lead when it started but Riess didn’t waste any time and quickly got the lead over his opponent with some great play and nicely timed moves. It seemed that Riess was getting pot after pot and despite the fact that Farber managed to double up, The Beast was still in control of the game.

The double up for Farber was one of the biggest hands of the heads up match as Riess had top pair and Farber was hoping for later streets to complete his straight draw. After going all in after the flop, the turn gave Farber the straight and he was back in the game. However, Riess just sat back in his seat and started dominating him once again and it didn’t take long for Farber to be in danger once again.

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Hand #261 was the last one of the tournament. Riess was on the button and raised to 2.5 million. Farber then shoved all in for his remaining 14 million and The Beast made the call with Ah-Kh to have Farber’s Qs-5s dominated. The flop was Jd-Td-4c, which meant that a queen would no longer save Farber since Riess would make a straight and the only thing that could save the Las Vegas VIP host would be a five. The turn came a 3c and with the whole world watching to see what the river is, the dealer slowly burned a card and then placed a 4d on the board.

That was it for the 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event and Ryan “The Beast” Riess became the champion, fulfilling his dream from when he was 14 and saw Moneymaker win it in 2003.

Jay Farber got the second place prize worth $5,174,357, an achievement which should make him happy.

It was a long road getting here as 6,352 players came to the tables at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino back in July to take part in the 2013 WSOP Main Event. Poker legends, past champions, tournament grinders, online pros and hopeful amateurs came from around the world for the biggest tournament of the year and at the end of it all, the one that gets to hold the platinum and diamond bracelet is Ryan Riess.