Heaven for Hellmuth
Phil Hellmuth is normally louder than a foghorn when he enters a card room, but today he just slipped into his seat on the balcony quieter than a nun in a library. In fact, I haven't heard him say a single word yet, so perhaps the Poker Brat is fully focused coming into this year's WSOPE and approaching the Series with a slightly different mentality.
Hellmuth has been located, though, and has enjoyed a fruitful, if intriguing start. I joined the action on the flop, Hellmuth (small blind) check-raising his opponent's UTG lead of 350 to 1,650. A call was made.
Both players checked the turn, only for Hellmuth to lead out for 2,200 on the river. Again, his foe made the call.
"Pair of kings," announced Hellmuth confidently. His opponent mucked and Hellmuth showed . He now has 11,000.