Champ loses at WSOP

Greg Merson will not repeat as champion of the World Series of Poker main event in Las Vegas. The 25-year-old Merson was knocked out of the tournament Saturday in Las Vegas. He finished 167th to collect a check for $42,990. Last year, he hauled in $8.5 million. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the $10,000 buy-in, No-Limit Texas Hold ’em World Championship field of 6,352 players had dwindled to 82 by late Saturday, the fifth day of the tournament at the Rio Convention Center. Merson’s departure left 2001 champ Carlos Mortensen as the only former main event winner remaining in the field. – Associated Press