Isaac Brekken | Associated PressPeter Eastgate, of Denmark, throws chips into the pot today during the World Series of Poker championship in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS -- A 22-year-old Danish poker professional won the World Series of Poker early today, turning a wheel straight on the last hand to become the youngest champion in the history of the no-limit Texas Hold 'em main event.

Peter Eastgate hit an ace-to-five straight on the turn and instantly called an all-in bet from Ivan Demidov on the river to win the title and $9,152,416. Demidov held two pair, twos and fours.

Courtesy of FireKeepers CasinoThe $300 million FireKeepers Casino is on pace to open next summer. Here is an aerial view of the construction as of Oct. 29.

BATTLE CREEK -- The FireKeepers Casino is on pace to open next summer, according to a press release from the casino.

The $300 million project is owned by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi and managed by Gaming Entertainment Michigan LLC.

The 236,000 square-foot building is expected to provide around 2,200 jobs, according to the casino.

Ylon Schwartz has earned a spot at the final table in the World Series of Poker, scheduled for Nov. 9-11.

KALAMAZOO -- Just as one day brings fortune in the world of high-stakes poker, the next can bring indefinite famine.

As twisted as it sounds, not knowing which is on the horizon is one of the biggest draws for these modern-day gunslingers. That and having to answer to no one.

"Instant gratification," Ylon Schwartz, a 38-year-old professional who played his way to a seat at this year's World Series of Poker Main Event final table scheduled for Nov. 9 through 11, said during a phone interview from Brooklyn. "The whole point of getting into the gaming world is you don't have to deal with the tax-man, punching a clock in the morning or a supervisor."

Dennis Phillips

Dennis Phillips, the 53-year-old chip-leader heading into the World Series of Poker Main Event final table, dreaded taking a four-month break in the tournament's new format.

The amateur and oldest player of the "November Nine" has enjoyed the hiatus more than he anticipated, but he's ready to get back to business pushing his intimidating stack of chips around in hopes of winning the championship bracelet and the more than $9 million first prize. The Cottage Hills, Ill., native and accountant talked with Michigan Casinos Magazine's Wes Morgan about his experience.

Slot machines at the Greektown Casino in Detroit.

It's always amazing to me how people who may never otherwise show the slightest bit of superstition can walk into a casino and engage in illogical, sometimes childish rituals.

This is a big reason I find people-watching so entertaining at casinos, particularly when they're playing slot machines.

Craps tables at Blue Chip Casino.

Craps looks cool, even from a distance.

Large crowds, hooting and hollering, chips flying and dice rolling. Makes you want to just step up and ... whoa -- easy cowboy, where exactly are you going to place your chips?

Let's see, there's the Pass Line, Come Line, the Field, numbers everywhere, and what the heck are the Big 6 and Big 8? Well, most of those bets you see out there are sucker bets -- bad bets that make the house a lot of money.

Courtesy of PokerTekThe PokerPro automated tables by North Carolina-based PokerTek are used at the Four Winds Casino Resort.

KALAMAZOO -- Robots are taking over the world, even poker tables.

OK, so it's not exactly the stuff of a sci-fi/horror film, but some people in the gaming industry think the future of poker rests with automated tables. In August 2007, Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo installed 19 PokerPro tables, automated poker tables made by Matthews, N.C.-based PokerTek. At the time, it was the world's largest poker room running exclusively on automated tables. Four Winds now has 14 of the tables as part of a redesign, and poker-room manager Glenn Arana said they will soon be commonplace in casinos around the country.

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort employees have until noon Friday to decide if they want to take buyouts.

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council approved asking its employees to take a voluntary buyout to reduce the workforce, a news release on the tribal Web site said.