The 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event

As those of you who watched the thrilling final episode of the 2009 World Series of Poker, Joe Cada became the youngest player ever to win the Main Event. At just 21 years of age, Cada took home 8.5 million dollars after defeating the over-aggressive Moon heads up. Leading up to the final table, both players had their shares of luck: Moon flopped a Queen against the dangerous Phil Ivey, when Ivey was heads up for his tournament life with A K. Ivey instinctively pushed his remaining 5 million all-in pre-flop with his A K, and Moon called with A Q. The flop: Q 6 6. From that point, Ivey's main event was all but over. Moon also caught a lot of good hands: He knocked out a player who was sure to make the final table with his Q J of diamonds, vs. the other player's 5 3 of diamonds. Both players hit a flush after the turn card, which was a golden opportunity for Moon to gain even more chips.

Cada also had his share of luck too: leading up to the thrilling heads up battle between Moon and Cada, Cada relied on the river more than one time against other opponents at the Final Table. However, Cada showed that he skillfully deserved to win the Main Event: He made the call of his life against Moon when Moon put him all-in with his straight draw. Cada took some time before making the call. He had a pair of nines with a jack kicker, with two tens on the board. With an unbelievable call, Joe Cada doubled up and took a commanding lead. Moon's over-aggression cost him an additional 4 million and a world series ring.
According to Phil Henderson of Pokerchanneleurope.com, "The turning point finally came when Cada had had enough of being bullied off every pot by Moon and decided to make a stand". Cada was visibly frustrated with Moon's over aggression, so frustrated in fact that he decided to risk his tournament life with a pair of 9s with a mediocre Jack kicker. However, Cada's instinctual read and play made him the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event winner, a title that is coveted by most of today's pros. Although I was personally rooting for Phil Ivey to take the bracelet, whom I believe to be by far the greatest Texas Hold'em player to ever play, it's still heartwarming and inspirational to see a player like Cada win the Main Event. Nobody anticipated the 21 year old from Michigan to come anywhere near the final table, yet he proved his adversaries wrong and did what thousands of others before him have failed to do: overcome criticism, stay steadfast, and remain committed.

sources: http://www.pokerchanneleurope.com/news/cada_over_moon_9.htm
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