Eleven. It’s a magical number with a brand new owner. Phil Hellmuth won his eleventh bracelet Monday night, besting a personal high of 2,627 players to take the gold. It was Phil’s 59th cash, also a record. Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson, who were both ties with Phil at ten bracelets, were both on hand to see history go down. In other news,
- James Richburg triumphed over a monster field to take the gold in event 1 - $2,500 HORSE. Amngst those who made the final table were Chris Bjorin, Robert Mizrachi and ’07 bracelet winner Tom Schneider. - Kaja Thater was amongst the ladies who made the final table of event 17, the Ladies world championship. - In event 18, the $5,000 Limit World Championship, William Thorsen, who finished thirteenth in last year’s main event, leads the field heading to the final table. Joining him at the table is old pro Thor Hansen. - In event 19, $2,500 no-limit hold’em, Lars Bonding has the lead over strong field whose leaderboard includes Devin Port, Greg ‘FBT’ Mueller and Mike Matusow. This is the third event in which Mueller has run deep with a big stack. - Event 20, Seven-Card Stud High-Low Split (Eight-or-Better), it lead by Steve Weiss, but its two other names at the top of the leaderboard that have everyone’s attention. Jeff Madsen, two time bracelet winner from a year ago, and Greg Raymer are both very much in the hunt for the final table.
Hellmuth’s last obstacle, chiropractor Andy Philachack shoved in his last T700K+ on the strength of his Ac-10c. Phil, holding almost 90% of the chips, made the call with As-3h. The flop came 9h-4c-3d, giving Phil one of his three outs. Philachack’s needed ten never came, with Qh on the turn and Jh on the river. Number 11 was Hellmuth’s. Gary Wise gary@wisehandpoker.com
