What Is 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event was won by Jerry Yang, a Hmong-American amateur player, who took home $8.25 million after defeating a field of 6,358 entrants at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The final table, known as the 'November Nine,' was delayed until October 29 to allow for televised buildup.

Key Facts

Jerry Yang won the 2007 WSOP Main Event with a prize of $8,250,000
6,358 players entered the tournament, creating a prize pool of $57,222,000
The final table was delayed from July to October 29, marking the first 'November Nine'
Yang defeated Tuan Le heads-up after entering the final table as a chip underdog
The event was held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada

Overview

The 2007 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event marked a turning point in poker history due to its innovative delay of the final table to build suspense and enhance television coverage. Held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, the tournament attracted a record-breaking field of 6,358 entrants, the second-largest at the time, generating a prize pool of $57,222,000.

This event introduced the now-iconic 'November Nine' format, where the final nine players were paused after the July final table cut and reconvened months later for dramatic televised play. The delay allowed ESPN and other networks to produce high-quality coverage and build narratives around the finalists, changing how poker was broadcast forever.

Jerry Yang, a Hmong-American postal worker and relative unknown, won the title despite being one of the shortest stacks at the final table.
The buy-in was $10,000, standard for the WSOP Main Event, and each player received 10,000 in starting chips.
Yang defeated Tuan Le heads-up in the final match, overcoming a significant chip deficit to claim victory.
The final table included players from the U.S., England, and Canada, highlighting the event’s growing international appeal.
Yang’s win was notable not just for the prize, but for representing a shift toward amateur players succeeding on poker’s biggest stage.

How It Works

The 2007 WSOP Main Event introduced structural changes that influenced future tournaments, particularly in how the final table was managed and broadcast. These innovations combined competitive poker with entertainment, setting a new standard for live events.

November Nine: The final nine players were halted after July 15 and returned on October 29, 2007 to finish play, allowing for pre-recorded broadcasts with commentary and player profiles.
Blind Structure: The tournament used escalating blinds every 60 minutes, increasing pressure on players and reducing the average survival time to about 12 hours.
Starting Stack: Each entrant began with 10,000 in chips, with rebuys not allowed in the Main Event, emphasizing long-term strategy over short-term luck.
Final Table Format: The final nine were seated at a single table, with eliminations spaced over days to maximize media exposure and storytelling.
Televised Production: ESPN recorded the final table over multiple days, using multiple camera angles, hole card cams, and expert commentary to enhance viewer experience.
Prize Distribution: The top 748 finishers earned money, with payouts increasing dramatically after 9th place, where Yang started with the smallest stack.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2007 WSOP Main Event with previous and subsequent years to illustrate its significance in poker history.

Year	Entrants	Winner	1st Prize	Final Table Format
2005	5,619	Joe Hachem	$7,500,000	Immediate
2006	8,773	Jamie Gold	$12,000,000	Immediate
2007	6,358	Jerry Yang	$8,250,000	Delayed (November Nine)
2008	6,844	Peter Eastgate	$9,150,000	Delayed
2009	6,494	Joe Cada	$8,547,042	Delayed

The 2007 event stands out not for the largest field or highest prize, but for its structural innovation. The adoption of the delayed final table became a staple for the next decade, influencing how live poker events were produced and consumed globally. It also marked a shift toward narrative-driven broadcasts, where player backstories and emotional arcs became as important as the cards themselves.

Why It Matters

The 2007 WSOP Main Event reshaped the future of televised poker and tournament design, setting precedents that endured for years. Its legacy lies not just in the winner, but in how the event was structured and presented to the public.

The November Nine format increased TV ratings and viewer engagement, making poker more accessible and dramatic for casual audiences.
It allowed networks to produce in-depth profiles, turning relatively unknown players into overnight celebrities.
Jerry Yang’s win as a first-time amateur inspired countless new players to enter tournaments, believing anyone could win.
The delay gave sponsors and organizers time to market the final table, boosting advertising revenue and media coverage.
It influenced other poker tours, including the World Poker Tour, to adopt similar broadcast-friendly formats.
The 2007 event helped sustain the 'poker boom' that began in 2003, even as online poker faced increasing regulation.

Ultimately, the 2007 WSOP Main Event was a milestone that merged sport, storytelling, and spectacle. Its innovations ensured poker remained a compelling live-entertainment experience well into the 21st century.