Will Hellmuth Capture Bracelet No. 14 & His Second Razz Title in Three Years?
Today the 2014 World Series of Poker will see the start of two events (Event #9: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em and Event #10: $10,000 Limit Omaha Hi-Low Championship) and the conclusion of two others (this one and Event #6: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout); however, it's safe to say that all eyes will be here on Event #7: $1,500 Seven-Card Razz as the WSOP's most decorated player, Phil Hellmuth, attempts to capture his fourteenth bracelet.
Yesterday, Hellmuth notched his 101st cash by making the money and then went on to make his 50th WSOP final table. Hellmuth, who won the razz event at the 2012 WSOP for his 12th bracelet, will start the day second in chips.
The only man in a better position to make a run at the $121,196 first-place prize is Greg Pappas, a poker industry veteran who bagged up 391,500. Also in a good position is last year’s runner-up, David “Gunslinger” Bach, who you may recall showed off his mixed-game chops when he won the 2009 Poker Players’ Championship.
The final table also includes Brandon Cantu (175,000) and Ted Forrest (171,000). The former is a two-time bracelet winner that finished third in the razz event Hellmuth won two years ago. The two butted heads numerous times at that final table, and leading up to this one they engaged in numerous verbal jousts while taking turns getting under the other’s skin. We expect the two to attack each other here on Day 3, both verbally and in their gameplay.
As for Forrest, who has played a quiet and steady game leading up to the final table, he has five gold bracelets on his résumé including the 1993 WSOP $1,500 razz title, and he's in a good position to make a run at No. 6. Brock Parker, also a two-time bracelet winner who grinded his way to the final table, is still alive with 138,500, as are short stacks Yuebin Guo and Kevin Iacofano, who’re bringing up the rear with 90,000 and 45,500 respectively.
Very pleased to make my 50tjh Final Table at the @WSOP! I am second in chips #WSOPRazz w 314,000. Winning Bracelet 14 would amazing!Follow @phil_hellmuth
| Seat | Player | Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brock Parker | 138,500 |
| 2 | Ted Forrest | 171,000 |
| 3 | Greg Pappas | 391,500 |
| 4 | Phil Hellmuth | 314,000 |
| 5 | Brandon Cantu | 175,000 |
| 6 | Yuebin Guo | 90,000 |
| 7 | Kevin Iacofano | 45,500 |
| 8 | David Bach | 290,500 |
Play is set to get underway at 2 p.m. local time, which is just over an hour from now. Join the PokerNews Live Reporting Team then to see if Hellmuth will capture his fourteenth bracelet or if one of the others players will stand in his way and become a part of history.