1. Steve Billirakis Chicago, IL $536,287 2. Greg Mueller White Rock, BC (Canada) $328,554 3. Tony George Mesquite, NV $218,329 4. Steve Ambrose Waterloo, ON $146,259 5. Frederick Berger Slidell, LA $108,105 6. Roger McDow Foothill Ranch, CA $84,788 7. Kirk Morrison Wichita, KS $63,591 8. Jon Turner Las Vegas, NV $46,633 9. John Younger San Antonio, CA $33,915 10. Phyong Tran Arcadia, CA $22,257 11. Stephen Buchanan Fullerton, CA $22,257 12. Michael Martin Washington Crossing, PA $22,257 13. Brett Richey Pittsburgh, PA $20,137 14. Paul Snead Hines Pk, NY $20,137 15. Joseph Tehan Las Vegas, NV $20,137 16. Thong Tran Las Vegas, NV $18,017 17. John Kroshus Calgary, ON $18,017 18. Louis Werman Agoura, CA $18,017 19. Matthew Gianetti Austin, TX $15,898 20. Artemus Duncan Lake Zurich, IL $15,898 21. Patrick Pezzin Venzano, IT $15,898 22. Jason Mann Hermitage, AK $15,898 23. Jorge Arian Caracas, VZ $15,898 24. Hieu Tony Ma Selmonte, CA $15,898 25. Todd Keikoan Las Vegas, NV $15,898 26. Jason Strasser New York, NY $15,898 27. David Grey Henderson, NV $15,898 28. Ali Esiami Los Angeles, CA $13,778 29. Mark Telitscher Britain, UK $13,778 30. Lonnie Heimowitz Monticello, NY $13,778 31. Johnny Chan Las Vegas, NV $13,778 32. Aaron Kanter Lodi, CA $13,778 33. Frank Sassey El Paso, TX $13,778 34. Van Hung Manhattan Beach, CA $13,778 35. Andreas Walnum Bodo, Norway $13,778 36. Joseph Brandenburg Portland, OR $13,778 37. Alex Bolotin Brooklyn, NY $11,658 38. Todd Brunson Las Vegas, NV $11,658 39. Emad Bastwards Northridge, CA $11,658 40. Sirous Baghchehsaraie Long Beach, CA $11,658 41. Millie Shio Las Vegas, NV $11,658 42. Mark Gregorich Las Vegas, NV $11,658 43. Thomas Koral Skokie, IL $11,658 44. Stuart Rutter Birmingham, England $11,658 45. Cyntdy Violette Las Vegas, NV $11,658

Tournament Notes:

-- The winner was Steve Billirakis from Chicago, Illinois. Billirakis becomes the youngest winner of a gold bracelet in WSOP history. He was born on 5-23-86 which makes him 21 years and 11 days at the time of victory. This eclipses the mark set last year by Jeff Madsen -- who was 21 years, 1 month, and 9 Days when he won his gold bracelet.

-- Billirakis says he intends to play several more WSOP events over the next five weeks. That means an age-related record which was thought to perhaps be unbreakable (Jeff Madsen's two WSOP gold bracelets last year by age 21 years, 1 month, and 18 days) is now in jeopardy. If Billirakis can win any WSOP tournament prior to the main event this year, he would break Madsen's record.

-- The second-place finisher was Greg Mueller. The outcome was disappointing to the former professional hockey player. Mueller once played in Europe and attended training camp for the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. Now a poker pro, Mueller was the chip leader after Day One. He came to the final table ranked third in chips. He enjoyed a decisive chip lead a few times when heads-up against Billirakis. However, each time it appeared Mueller might win his first WSOP title, his rival would win a critical pot and re-take the lead. Mueller played a phenomenal tournament over the days and is surely due to win a gold bracelet in the future.

-- There was some concern at the start of the final table that the high betting limits (for the limit half of the event) might create a quick finish. The average chip stack was about 500,000 and with betting limits on the initial round at 30,000-60,000 this gave the players very little lee-way so far as making mistakes or suffering a bad run of cards. Tournament Director Jack Effel made the proper decision not to adjust the size of the betting limits. In retrospect, his decision turned out to be correct. The final table lasted nearly eight hours and provided plenty of play for the finalists.

-- WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack presented new poker champion Steve Billirakis with his first gold bracelet. The new improved and more expensive design by Swiss watchmaker Corum is certain to be a big hit with poker players. All of the WSOP gold bracelets to be given away in 2007 are on display near the final table stage in the tournament room.

-- This event marked the debut of a new "stadium look" to the WSOP. The WSOP and ESPN jointly unveiled a large stage with stadium style seating around the final table. There is also a bar and lounge are with tables and chairs on the upper level of viewing area. For spectators, this will be the most comfortable WSOP in history. All final tables broadcast by ESPN are free and open to the public.

-- This is the first poker event ESPN has ever broadcast in high-definition. Giant plasma screens around the stage showed the players features in far greater detail than in year's past. The action was also much easier to follow. ESPN and Harrah's have teamed up to make this the most spectator-friendly event in poker history.

-- This was ESPN's first WSOP broadcast of 2007. The debut ESPN telecast of this event is expected to air on July 10, 2007.

Nolan Dalla
Photos Courtesy of IMAGEMASTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

2007 World Series of Poker