After 10 hours and 199 head-to-head hands, Indiana resident wins World Series of Poker

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A poker pro from Indiana won the World Series of Poker championship early Sunday in what is believed to be the longest head-to-head showdown in the history of the Main Event.

John Cynn from Indianapolis won the $8.8 million first-place prize and coveted Main Event bracelet after a head-to-head showdown at the Rio that lasted 10 hours and 199 hands. It began at 6:45 p.m. Saturday and finished at 4:50 a.m. Sunday when Cynn had a king-jack and flopped three kings and 32-year-old Florida resident Tony Miles had a queen-eight and went all-in after making two pair on the turn.

Cynn called after more than a minute and that was the end of the marathon session.

Cynn said he felt "pretty overwhelmed," told reporters early Sunday that the money will be "life-changing" but does not have immediate plans to spend it.

Miles, who was born in Ogden, Utah, won $5 million as runner-up.

Houston resident Michael Dyer took third place, winning $3.75 million.

Cynn bested the second-largest field in Main Event history -- 7,874 players — to win the $10,000 buy-in No-limit Texas Hold ‘em World Championship.

He finished 11th two years ago.