July 19, 2019
Iranian-German dual national Hossein Ensan outlasted Italy’s Dario Sammartino and Canada’s Alex Livingston to claim the $10 million title at the 50th World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas.
The 55-year-old, who immigrated to Germany 30 years ago, became the oldest world poker champion in 20 years when he won the 301st hand at the final table to finish off Sammartino July 17. A total of 8,569 players began the competition last month.
It’s the first time since 2014 the winner has come from outside the United States but the third time the title has gone to an Iranian-born player. The previous Iranian-born winners were Mansour Matloubi in 1990 and Hamid Dastmalchi in 1992. In the 50 years of the competition, 40 winners have been American. Except for the three Iranians, other countries have only seen a solitary winner each.
Sammartino won $6 million for second place. Livingston, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, got $4 million for third in the 11-day tournament.
Ensan moved to Germany in 1990 and began playing poker seriously in 2005. His career winnings total $12.5 million—with this month’s pot of $10 million.