The Crowning of a Champion Occurs Today
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In a few moments cards will be in the air for Event 15: $5,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split 8-or-Better. Only 19 remain in contention from the original starting field of 212. Leading the way is Adam Friedman with a stack of 323,500.
Right on Friedman's heels is John Monnette, who already took down a bracelet this year in Event 10: $5,000 Seven Card Stud. Monnette is sitting on a stack of 314,500. Rounding out the top three in chips is Brian Twete with 284,500.
Yesterday's play began with 137 players, but since the field played a full ten levels, many were sent home with their dreams of winning a World Series of Poker bracelet dashed. Among those to bust yesterday and receive no cash for their efforts include Barry Greenstein, Daniel Negreanu, Eugene Katchalov, David Benyamine, Doyle Brunson, and ESPN commentator Norman Chad. Andy Bloch, who also won a stud bracelet this WSOP in Event 7: $1,500 Seven Card Stud, was eliminated last night just after making the money.
Throughout all of the buzz in the Amazon room, there remains one name on everybody's lips: Phil. Whether it is eleven-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth or eight-time bracelet winner Phil Ivey depends on who you talk to. The two champions are coming into the field with almost equal stacks with Ivey sitting on 234,000 and Hellmuth on 233,000. Ivey skipped last year's WSOP and his last bracelet win occurred in 2010 when he defeated Bill Chen heads up in Event #37: $3,000 H.O.R.S.E..
Hellmuth, on the other hand, had a roller coaster of a year in 2011, finishing second in three separate bracelet events. Coming so close and not being able to clinch a twelfth bracelet no doubt had a harrowing effect on Hellmuth, and he will certainly be playing to win once again this year. Most notably from last year's WSOP, Hellmuth's final second place finish occurred when he lost heads up to Brian Rast in Event #55: $50,000 Poker Player's Championship.
As you watch today's exciting coverage, if you find yourself confused on the rules of Stud Eight or better, or simply need a refresher, be sure to check out our rules page.
We're moments away from the players hitting the felt, so be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews for all of the latest updates on the exciting conclusion to this bracelet event!