Jerry Yang, the Southern California psychologist from Temecula, won the 38th World Series of Poker this morning shortly before 4:00 am. 

 Yang collected $8.25 million in winnings.  He defeated Tuan Liam of Toronto after almost two hours of heads up play that began around 2:00 am.

Yang took the lead yesterday afternoon and held the lead for almost 16 hours.  He won when he drew a six on the river card for a nine-high straight on the 205th hand of competition. 

World Series of Poker has narrowed the field to the final four players.  The current leader is Jerry Yang, a  39-year-old psychologist from Southern California who won the first two hands when play began after noon and has been riding a hot streak ever since.

He's vying against South African grandfather Raymond Rahme, Vietnamese Canadian Tuan Lam and Russian Alex Kravchenko for the $8.25 million top prize.