World Series of Poker winner, 55, is oldest in 20 years

LAS VEGAS - Germany’s Hossein Ensan outlasted Italy’s Dario Sammartino and Canada’s Alex Livingston to claim the $10 million title early Wednesday at the 50th World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas.

The 55-year-old native of Iran 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 after nearly eight hours of play.

It’s the first time since 2014 the winner has come from outside the United States and third time ever the title has gone to an Iranian-born competitor.

“Unbelievable,” said Ensan, who now lives in Greven, Germany. He was making his first appearance in the Main Event with a previous total of $2.67 million in career earnings.

“I am so happy. I thank my fans at home in Germany, also in Iran and my fans, my buddies here. This is the best feeling in my life,” he said after claiming the winning hand when Sammartino pushed his chips all in at 1:24 a.m. Wednesday at the Rio ?All-Suite Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Ensan, wearing a white crew neck T-shirt with poker sponsor patches, and Sammartino, in a black tuxedo, exchanged numerous smiles and a congratulatory fist bump at one point in the good-natured contest down the stretch.

Sammartino, 32, who is originally from Naples and now lives in Vienna, Austria, won $6 million for second place in the ?11-day tournament that began July 3 with a field of 8,569 - the second largest field in the 50-year history of the event. He was bidding to become its first Italian-born champion and now has won more than $8 million in his professional poker career.

Livingston, 32, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, pocketed $4 million for third. The former chess champion who studied economics at Tufts University outside Boston finished 13th in the 2013 World Series of Poker and now has $4.65 million in career earnings in the event.