News / nono / 09 June 2008 / Leave a comment

The winner was Anthony Rivera. He is a 22-year-old professional poker player from Las Vegas. Rivera is originally from St. Louis, MO. He attended the University of Missouri, but decided to suspend his education and move to Las Vegas to play poker.

Rivera began playing poker about three years ago on the computer. He turned 21 just prior to last year's WSOP and played in a few events. However, this marked his first time to cash at the World Series. He really made this one count as $483,688 was paid as the top prize.

Rivera has become a solid high-stakes player who frequents $200-400, $300-600 limit (and higher) tables in Las Vegas. He remarked afterward: "This was a very tough field. But it did not intimidate me. I am used to playing with many of these players. I know many of them pretty well. I know I can play all the games well enough to win."

The champ wore his lucky t-shirt, which read "Friends Don't Let Friends Play No-Limit." Rivera also pointed out that, for him, it was kind of social statement. While many poker players have concentrated their efforts on No-Limit Hold'em, Rivera has focused his poker development on a much more diverse collection of games. Fittingly, the hard work paid off and he became the first-ever "Mixed Games World Champion."

He said: "I really do not have a 'best' game. I do not really play No-Limit, that much. I prefer the other games. I think I can play all the games well."
• Rivera pointed out that David Oppenheim was his most intimidating opponent throughout the tournament. He stated that Oppenheim got unlucky and busted out. "I was glad to see him go," Rivera said later.