Merson Kicks Things Off!
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"Good afternoon and welcome to the 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event!" announced Jack Effel as he took the stage located in the Amazon Room directly in front of what has become known as the Mother Ship.
Effel began his announcements with firstly asking for a round of applause for everyone that has come to play here at the WSOP before raffling off the rules that everyone is to abide by. Effel then handed the microphone to Ty Stewart.
"Thirty-seven people have won the Main Event before. The names are iconic. Moss. Brunson. Unger. A young man from Maryland emphatically added his name to that list!" announced Stewart before footage began rolling of Greg Merson's final hand against runner-up Jesse Sylvia to see him crowned 2012 WSOP Champion and also Player of the Year.
Merson then took the stage before announcing, "I don't really want to give a long speech because every year I come I hate hearing long speeches. Players good luck, and dealers shuffle up and deal!"