The marathon, finally, is over.

The World Series of Poker came to an end — at least for now — Monday, more than six weeks after it began at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. And those who endured - particularly five Vietnamese American poker players - walked away richer men for their efforts.

The quintet of Thắng Lưu, Kenny Trần, John 'Razor' Phan, Scotty Nguyễn and J.C. Trần each won a bracelet in the World Series of Poker — that is to the gaming world what an Academy Award is to the movie business — signifying a victory in an individual event. Three other Vietnamese Americans won money, though not an event.

The grand total in winnings of the poker-playing eight?

A whopping $5,386,350.

But despite the financial reward, the World Series of Poker is not for the amateur. Each event — there are more than 50 of them — has an entry fee and attracts the finest players in the world wanting to try their skill.

Scotty Nguyễn, for example, paid $50,000 to enter the H.O.R.S.E. event, a multi-game competition. His payoff for winning? Nearly $2 million. The entry fee is said to be the highest of any annual tournament in the world.

The World Series of Poker began in 1970 when there were fewer than 50 poker tables in all of Las Vegas. It had few players, no public attention and little press coverage, according to the tournament history.

That has all changed now. Today, the acclaimed match is televised by ESPN.

Play in the final event of the 2008 World Series was halted Monday when 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event got down to nine players. Those still remaining — there are no Vietnamese Americans in the pool — will return to the Rio on Nov. 9 to continue the chase for the world championship and the $9.1 million first prize.

Competition

Player of the Year Standings*

Vietnamese Americans occupy five of the top 17 spots in the race for poker Player of the Year, according to Bluff Magazine

#1: Mến (The Master) Nguyễn, #5: J.C. Trần, #12: John 'Razor' Phan, #17: Scotty

Nguyễn. *through Tuesday

2008 World Series of Poker results