A 21-year-old Michigan poker professional who chose cards over college has won the World Series of Poker main event in Las Vegas.

Joe Cada won $8.55 million and became the youngest player to win the tournament in its 40-year history.

Cada's from Shelby Township, Mich. He won with a pair of nines early Tuesday after 46-year old Darvin Moon called an all-in wager with a queen-jack.

That set up an about-even race for most of the chips on the table.

The board of two sevens, a king, an eight and a deuce didn't connect with either player's cards, and gave Cada the win.

Moon's a logger from western Maryland. He won more than $5 million for second place.