"Hello #12!!" It took just 11 characters for Phil Hellmuth (pictured) to relay his emotions after winning his 12th World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet on Sunday night. Despite owning what was already an industry-leading 11 WSOP bracelets, every one of them had come in some form of Hold'em, until Sunday night that is. In a $2,500 Seven Card Razz event (#18), Hellmuth stomped a field of 309 players to capture his dozenth gold bracelet.You'll recall that Hellmuth was the runner-up in three WSOP events last year, including the $50,000 Poker Player's Championship, a finish that earned him over $1 million. He also took second in two other non-Hold'em events, the $10,000 Seven Card Stud High-Low Split-8 or Better Championship and the $10,000 No Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball Championship. His last bracelet came in 2007.
With 16 players to go in Event #18, Hellmuth made a potential game-changing decision. He shared on Twitter that a ringer was flying to Las Vegas for his run at a record-setting 12th piece of hardware: "Down to 16 in WSOP Razz tourney, I may be chip leader. Flying our oldest son in to watch w/wifey… Already won 1 bracelet w/him watching!"
Largely positive comments popped up in a thread in the Live Poker forum about Hellmuth's groundbreaking evening. A poster from Australia tuned into the live feed pointed out, "Hurt my ears on the live stream when he finally won it!" Another player from Illinois praised, "After coming so close last year, I'm glad he took this down."
What made Hellmuth's feat even more impressive was the final table he navigated en route to bracelet #12. Hellmuth's seven final table opponents had a combined nine WSOP bracelets and, in fact, only two had not laid claim to a bracelet during their career.
"The Poker Brat" defeated Don Zewin heads-up, commenting on Twitter that Zewin was playing lights out: "Heads-up right now w/1.6 Million. Don Zewin playing terrific Razz against me w/700,000 in chips." Hellmuth held a 5:1 chip lead when heads-up play began after knocking out two-time bracelet winner Brandon Cantu (pictured) in third place.In an interesting twist, Zewin finished third in the 1989 WSOP Main Event, the same tournament Hellmuth won for his very first gold bracelet.
Mainstream poker pros also poured in their congratulations to Hellmuth. Former WSOP Europe Main Event champion John Juanda Tweeted, "Congrats @Phil_Hellmuth on winning his 12th bracelet. I agree @RealKidPoker, he definitely needs new hats, old 1 for sure won't fit anymore." PokerStars pro Daniel Negreanu alluded to the hat issue, saying, "Wow @phil_hellmuth wins his 12th in Razz! His first non-Holdem bracelet ever! Congrats, time to get new hats and logos with '12' on em."
ESPN poker commentator Norman Chad blasted out on Twitter, "Every time Phil Hellmuth wins a bracelet, it gives him 25 more years as the Poker Braggart. So, he's good now to well past age 200." Also imparting his congratulations was Adam Roothlus Levy, who Tweeted, "Hate him or love him, congrats @phil_hellmuth!"
Even PartyPoker pro Tony G was somewhat cordial after Hellmuth's win, posting in a blog, "I would like to congratulate Hellmuth. I have always said the game needs him and the game certainly needs him winning a 12th bracelet."
Here were the results in the $2,500 Seven Card Razz Event:
1. Phil Hellmuth - $182,793
2. Don Zewin - $113,024
3. Brandon Cantu - $74,269
4. Scott emptyseat88 Fischman - $54,248
5. Brendan Taylor - $40,167
6. Barry barryg1 Greenstein - $30,150
7. Michael Chow - $22,945
8. Jeff Mistiff - $17,693
"The Other Phil," Phil Ivey (pictured), came dangerously close to winning his ninth WSOP bracelet on Sunday night in the $10,000 Pot Limit Hold'em Championship. Ivey fell heads-up to reigning World Poker Tour Player of the Year Andy Frankenberger, who captured his second bracelet and a $445,000 payday. The heads-up battle between Frankenberger and Ivey was highly followed and even more dramatic since the two began virtually deadlocked in chips.In the final hand of the tournament, Ivey check-raised all-in on a flop of A-5-4 and rolled over 7-6 suited for an open-ender. Frankenberger had the goods, A-J, and running fives sealed Ivey's second place finish.
This was Ivey's second WSOP final table this year. You'll recall that he sat out the entire 2011 WSOP since players on his home site, Full Tilt Poker, had not been paid back. One year later, the status quo remains regarding Full Tilt, Ivey is back at the WSOP felts. None of his eight WSOP bracelets has come in a Hold'em event.
Stay tuned to PocketFives for the latest WSOP news.
