After almost 12 long hours of sitting behind a pair of dark sunglasses, professional Greg Merson of Maryland will never forget this Halloween, as he won the 2012 World Series of Poker Tournament grand prize of over $8.53 million dollars earlier today in Sin City. At only 24 years of age, the No Limit Texas Hold’em champion pulled off the victory after an extremely tense battle with two other seasoned players Jesse Sylvia ($5.3 million for second place)  and Jake Balsiger ($3.8 million for 3rd place). In the end Merson beat out over 6,498 players and logged in more than 65 hours of play during several different sessions that date back to July.