Break out the Hungarian ghoulash and celebrate!

For the first time ever in 40 years of World Series of Poker (WSOP) play, a Hungarian has won a WSOP event.

The history-making win came at the 40th annual WSOP in Las Vegas in Event #41, a no-limit Texas hold ‘em shootout tournament.

The tourney had a $5,000 buy-in, a prize pool of about $1.3 million, 280 participants and 30 payouts.

The victor, earning his first career WSOP championship gold bracelet, was Peter Traply of Budapest, Hungary.

He is 22 years old.

He collects $348,755 for the win.

Coming in second was Andy Lichtenberger of East Northport, New York, USA, snagging $215,402.

Taking third was Max Lykov of Moscow, Russia, copping $145,062.

Top poker pros Phil “Poison” Ivey and Jen Harman finished eighth and 22nd, respectively.

At a post-tourney press conference, the happy Hungarian told reporters: “In Hungary, the poker is growing very fast. There is a poker boom right now. And I think it will be bigger after I won my bracelet. I think I will be a national hero.

“There are a lot of good online players in Hungary. And this year, there are about 30 or so players who have come to play in the World Series. Many of them are my friends and they were cheering for me.

“Winning my first WSOP gold bracelet is really amazing. I am really, really happy. This is one of my poker dreams and it came true.

“I played every single no-limit Texas hold ‘em event at this year’s WSOP except the $40,000 buy-in event. I didn’t manage one single cash. I ran really bad. But I guess I can’t complain now.”

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