For the first time in the history of the World Series of Poker (WSOP), brothers have won championship gold bracelets at the same WSOP.

Earlier this month it was Grant Hinkle, winning 2008 WSOP Event #2, a $1,500 buy-in, no-limit Texas hold ‘em tournament that came with a top prize of $831,462.

Now, less than two weeks later, it’s Grant’s brother, Blair Hinkle, winning 2008 WSOP Event #23, a $2,000 buy-in, no-limit Texas hold ‘em tourney.

For his victory, Blair, of Weatherby Lake, Missouri, USA, banks $507,613.

The event had 1,344 participants, 99 payouts and a total prize pool of about $2.4 million.

Although an American won the tourney, it was the worst overall event so far for the USA at this year’s WSOP, which is taking place at the famed Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Americans finished in just three of the Top 10 places in the event, while non-Yanks finished in seven of the Top 10 places.

In fact, the Top 10 finishers came from eight different countries.

Finishing in second spot in the tourney was Mark Brockington of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, earning $326,551.

Third was Dan O’Brien of Redondo Beach, California, USA, earning $198,132.

Fourth was Dave Steicke of Hong Kong, China, earning $166,333.

Fifth was Dustin Dirksen of Iowa City, Iowa, USA, earning $135,757.

Sixth was Chris Bjorin of London, England, earning $106,404.

Seventh was Dom Kulicki of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, earning $81,943.

Eighth was Andy Jeffreys of Melbourne, Australia, earning $63,598.

Ninth was Stephane Tayar of St. Mande, France, earning $45,252.

Tenth was Alessandro Dalbello of Padova, Italy, earning $29,108.

According to WSOP statistics, brothers have won gold bracelets before, just never in the same year.

Puggy Pearson won three WSOP championship gold bracelets in 1973 and his brother, J.C. Pearson, won one in 1994.

So is there a poker rivalry between the Hinkle Brothers?

“There is no rivalry between us,” Blair Hinkle told reporters after his win. “I was ecstatic when he won his bracelet and I know he’s the same way. It’s just amazing that we could both win in the same year.”

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)