They’re learning not to mess with Michael Graves.

A 23-year-old medical student from Dallas, Texas, Graves won the $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em event at the 2007 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, collecting $742,121 for the win.

To get the victory, Graves had to get past checkers champion, Theo Tran, who finished second. It was the first time Graves has cashed at the WSOP, but he was in-the-money at a pair of other tournaments.

Michael Binger, who was 56^th, cashed for the eighth time at the 2007 WSOP, tying a tournament record. Phil Hellmuth, Jr. and Humberto Brenes both cashed eight times at last year’s WSOP.

Hellmuth also cashed in this event, the 63^rd time he has done so at the World Series. He finished 95^th.

Berry Johnston, the 1986 world champ and a member of the Poker Hall of Fame, was 62^nd, earning $8,067. It was the 52^nd time he has cashed at the WSOP.

The 2006 champion, Jamie Gold, was 84^th, cashing at the WSOP for the third time in his career.

Joe Hachem, the winner of the 2005 championship, placed 98^th, collecting $4,840.

Event 52

No-Limit Hold’em (with Re-Buys)

Buy-in: $1,000. Entries: 1,048.

1. Michael Graves, Dallas, TX … $742,121
2. Theo Tran, Allentown, PA … $387,193
3. Shawn Luman, Cimarron, KS … $224,249
4. Shawn Hattem, Montreal … $161,330
5. Chad Batista, Coral Springs, FL … $129,064
6. Kris Tate, Houston … $112,931
7. Isaac Haxton, Syracuse, NY … $96,798
8. Arnold Spee, Thousand Oaks, CA … $80,665
9. Thierry Cazals, France … $72,599