LAS VEGAS-- A 21-year-old professional poker player from Michigan hit a lucky king to cap a nearly impossible comeback at the World Series of Poker Sunday morning, setting up a showdown with a self-employed logger from Garrett County for $8.55 million.

Joe Cada dodged elimination several times during the longest no-limit Texas Hold 'em main event final table in history. Cada -- who at 123 hands into the session held just 1 percent of the chips in play -- could become the youngest series champion ever in the finale Monday night.

"Luck always helps," Cada said. "I'll take all the luck I can get."

Cada eliminated French poker professional Antoine Saout when a river king gave Cada a better pair than Saout's eights.

The hand ended an improbable comeback Saout staged himself, climbing from eighth in chips to start the session to finish third. He won $3.48 million.

Cada faces Darvin Moon, 46, of Oakland, Md., who finished the session with about the same number of chips he started with. He had the chip lead at the beginning of the nine-way final table Saturday afternoon, but begins Monday night with a nearly 2-1 chip disadvantage.