Hellmuth Achieves Record WSOP Cash

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Still chasing records, Hellmuth misses out on 12th bracelet....but there's still plenty of opportunities

Last week Phil Hellmuth clinched a new World Series of Poker record when he became the first player ever to win 11 event bracelets, and this week he was on the hunt again for a crack at bracelet number 12 in event 28, the $3 000 No Limit Hold 'Em competition, and the chance to match TJ Cloutier's record of 39 final tables.

Finishing sixth on the final table, and collecting a useful $76 464 for his efforts, Hellmuth set a new record for WSOP cashes at 60, matched TJ Cloutier's 39 final tables achievement...and still has plenty of opportunities to snag bracelet number 12 as the world's largest poker tournament passes the half way mark.

The poker ace was among 827 registered players at the start of event 28, a field that generated a prize-pool of $2 282 520 and guaranteed the winner a first prize reward of $527 829.

Taking their seats at the tables, some a little late, were Erik Seidel, Andy Black, Jamie Gold, Joe Awada, Erick Lindgren, Minh Ly, Vanessa Rousso, Bill Chen, Kristy Gazes, Johnny Chan, Humberto Brenes, Josh Arieh, Evelyn Ng, Jeff Madsen, TJ Cloutier, Greg Raymer, John Gale, Victor Ramdin, Andy Bloch, Phil Laak and Jennifer Harman among a host of other keen competitors.

It wasn't long before several high profile names featured among the stream of eliminations. Taking the exit after the second round of play were J.J. Liu, Men 'The Master' Nguyen and Shannon Elizabeth.  By the end of Day 1 less than ten percent of the starting field remained - among them the voluble Hellmuth and Day 2 saw all of them but 10 depart as the final table shaped up.

The provision of ten seats rather than the usual nine came about on Monday to accommodate another potential record for Hellmuth, who stood to match TJ Cloutier's record of 39 WSOP final tables if he could win the ninth seat when play commenced. Hellmuth made it, securing his 39th final table position by eliminating Luke Vrable.

Dustin Holmes was way ahead of the field on a chip count of 1 076 000 with Beth Shak, Brett Richey and Perry Friedman closely contesting for second lead on 740 000, 738 000 and 723 00 respectively.

Daniel Corbin was first man down, eliminated in position 9 when his K-9 missed the board and fell to Shankar Pillai's two pair. The eighth man out was Brett Richey who fell to Hellmuth, and he was followed by Perry Friedman at number 7, also to Hellmuth. But the poker ace was denied that 12th bracelet, at least in this game, when he was the next to exit, knocked out in sixth place by Shak.

Ben Fineman was the next and fifth place casualty, just making the big money with a pay check of $100 431 after clashing with Jason Song.

Down to four, and Dustin Holmes pushed back his chair and left after an exchange with Pillai where he drew out a wheel straight beginning with A-2 against Holmes' A-4. Leaving in position 4, Holmes pocketed $141 516 for his three days of work. Pillai was also responsible for the exit of Jason Song at position 3 with $212 274 in prize money when his Q-5 failed to draw against Pillai's pocket aces.

Heads up, it was Shankar Pillai against Beth Shak, with the latter having the edge in chips. Going into hand 148, Shak moved all in for 1 575 000 and after thinking about it for awhile Pillai called. The next cards decided the game and Shak was left with the second place and $328 683, whilst Pillai collected $527 829, the watch, the bracelet and the respect for winning against formidable opposition in both numbers and quality of player.