Congratulations to Anthony Rivera, Event # 8 Champion!

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Anthony Rivera celebrates his win with his friends on the rail

In a field as star-studded and heavy-hitting as this one, you'd think a name pro would be a shoo-in to take down the bracelet. But in the end, a 22-year-old cash game pro with only two recorded tournament cashes before today overcame a field of the world's best in an event that required players to excel not only at one game, but eight different limit, no-limit and pot-limit poker variants.

Anthony Rivera outlasted a final table where four of his opponents had won six WSOP bracelets between them. He never lost his cool or looked intimidated by his opponents, and had a rail full of support from his roommates and friends all evening.

In his post-victory interview, an elated Rivera said that he doesn't play a lot of tournaments, preferring to concentrate on the mixed cash game action at Bellagio and at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. All those hours grinding it out at the tables paid off for this talented young man tonight.

When asked about his plans for the rest of the series, Rivera smiled and said, "I don't know, I might take a week off!" as he gazed down at his shiny new piece of jewelry.

Congratulations to Anthony Rivera on his first WSOP bracelet!

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