You must wonder whether the sport is up for Jason Mercier. Two weeks ago he took to Twitter to put down the gauntlet. 

There is was. Take him on at 3-to-1. All you needed to do was hope he dodged WSOP silverware. I dare say some took him up on it. Others though may have baulked, and if asked why knew exactly their reasons, which the previous group, to their expense, discovered within the early hours of this morning.

For that's when Jason Mercier won his fourth career World Series bracelet, winning the 2-7 Lowball Championship under the lights of the principle stage. Mercier may never get to make such bets ever again. 

We can't really say we're surprised. As eye witnesses of each step of Mercier's career ascendance, starting with that EPT Sanremo win back in 2008, each landmark he has achievement unlocked has only confirmed our own suspicion that he's some of the most gifted players ever to play the game. 

His results transcend event, country, and even the sport being played. 

At the arena Series his first two bracelets, coming as they did in 2009 and 2011, were in pot-limit Omaha. Last year (after he claimed to be having the worst spell of his career) he hit hold'em gold. Now, 2-7 Lowball. If there's a Go Fish bracelet up for grabs this summer Mercier must now be the clear favourite. 

For the record, this latest bracelet, collected within the company of his girlfriend, and his pet dog (a primary for a WSOP winner's photo), was worth $273,335. But it surely can hardly be in regards to the money to a person who has amassed greater than $3 million on the WSOP alone (from career tournaments earnings in far more than $16 million).

To Mercier it's about something else, something he hinted at after his second bracelet win almost exactly five years ago.

"It's important to me for individuals to think I'M one of the vital best," said Mercier. "I BELIEVE I GET to that level, if IT'S NOT THAT I AM already there. Obviously, winning tournaments and winning WSOP bracelets just adds to that.  I feel like if I win a 3rd one, it'll do much more for me.  I'm able to play in as many World Series of Poker events as I WILL to get as many gold bracelets as I can."

Mercier is purely doing what he said he do, a warning that the 3-to-1 takers might now wish they'd heeded. Regardless, the payoff is ours in addition to Mercier's - the continuous ascent of 1 of poker's most brilliant stars happening before us, and showing no sign of abating.  

Congratulations to Jason in this latest triumph. For everybody else, be careful of what odds he offers next. He's currently sixth in chips from 46 left within the 7 Card Razz Championship event by the way. 

Number five anyone?

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WSOP Photos by PokerPhotoArchive.com

Stephen Bartley is a staff writer for the PokerStars Blog.

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