2010 WSOP: Mike Ellis Wins Event 30 $1,500 buy-in No Limit Hold'em

Over $3 Million was the total prize pool from 2,394 players in Event 30 of the 2010 World Series of Poker, a $1,500 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tourney.243 places were paid with the top spot going to 45 year old financial trader Mike Ellis of London, England, who won his first career WSOP gold bracelet and the first place cash prize of $581,851 after topping the final table in over eight hours.

The runner up was Christopher Gonzalez from Fremont, Calfiornia, who put up a valiant heads-up battle, but succumbed to Mark Ellis to walk away at second with $360,906.

The third-place finisher was recent law school graduate David Wilkinson of Boulder, Colorado, who previously won a WSOP Circuit gold ring at Caesars Palace Las Vegas back in 2007. David Wilkinson also cashed twice at this year’s WSOP with his third place finish of $254,996 being his best cash so far.

The fourth-place finisher was 22 year old Martin Jacobson from Stockholm, Sweden, who has cashed in the final tables at the EPT Budapest, WPT Venice and in an event in the 2009 WSOP. His fourth place finish paid $183,345.

The fifth-place finisher was Billy Griner from Monroe, Missouri, who had his best finish in in last year’s WSOP Main Event at 42nd place. This time, Billy Griner received $133,574 in prize money.

The sixth-place finisher was William Kakon from Miami, Florida, who has won four major tournaments in two years, but only making his first mark at a WSOP event, winning $98,605 for his efforts.

The seventh-place finisher was online poker pro Jason Hallee from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, who marked his first time  to cash at the WSOP, collecting $73,719 in prize money.

The eighth-place finisher was 35 year old Chris Kastler from Charlotte, North Carolina, who made his first WSOP cash and got paid $55,814.

The ninth-place finisher was Jeffrey Cohen from Parkland, Florida, who marked his third time to cash at the WSOP, earning $42,790.

Former WSOP gold bracelet finishers who cashed in this event included – Carlos Mortensen (23rd) and Howard “Tahoe” Andrew (192nd).

Howard “Tahoe” Andrew currently holds the record for playing the most consecutive years at the WSOP. Andrew, who first came to the 1974 WSOP, holds the active streak of 36 straight years entering at least one event.