Both the winner and the runner-up in the World Series of Poker's main event came to their respective North American homes from Asia, and both have vowed to help others with their new riches.

New champion Jerry Yang, 39, from California, is an ethnic Hmong who grew up in Laos. Second-place finisher Tuan Lam, 40, now a Canadian, is from Vietnam. Five countries were represented at the final table -- the U.S., Canada, Russia, South Africa and England.

Of the nine players at the final table, seven were either practicing or aspiring poker professionals.  Yang (left) was not. He had won his seat for a $225 entry fee in a satellite tournament at the Pechanga Casino in Temecula, Calif., where he lives. Still, he plowed through the final table, which lasted about 16 hours, even though he was eighth in the chip count (under 8.5 million) when the day started. He knocked out seven of his eight opponents, including the best known pro at the table, Lee Watkinson.

Yang's win earned him $8.25 million (he has pledged 10 percent to charity) and certain poker celebrity for at least the next year. Lam collected $4.84 million and has said he wants to return to his village in his native country to provide help.

Photo credit: Jae C. Hong/AP