Not even a week into the 2007 World Series of Poker and PocketFives members have already set the poker world ablaze. Two bracelets have been won and over $1.6 million in winnings have been pocketed. Steve "MrSmokey1" Billirakis was the first bracelet winner, winning Event #1, a $5,000 buy in Mixed Hold’em Event, for $536,287. Michael “BOBCATSPEGAL” Spegal took down Event #4, a $1,500 buy in Pot Limit Hold’em event, for $252,290. 
Billirakis had the poker world talking early on, winning the very first event of the 2007 WSOP. He was born on May 23, 1986, making him the youngest player ever to win a WSOP bracelet at 21 years and 11 days. According to a WSOP press release, “This eclipses the mark set last year by Jeff Madsen, who was 21 years, 1 month, and 9 Days when he won his gold bracelet.” Madsen had the world talking last year, making his mark in the very first days of the 2006 WSOP. Billirakis defeated former hockey player Greg Mueller heads up. The WSOP describes Mueller’s reaction to his second place prize: “Mueller once played in Europe and attended training camp for the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. Now a poker pro, Mueller was the chip leader after Day One. He came to the final table ranked third in chips. He enjoyed a decisive chip lead a few times when heads up against Billirakis. However, each time it appeared Mueller might win his first WSOP title, his rival would win a critical pot and retake the lead. Mueller played a phenomenal tournament over the days and is surely due to win a gold bracelet in the future.” In the final hand, down to 325,000 chips during the limit portion of the event, Greg Mueller got the rest of his chips in with 5-4 of diamonds against Billirakis' K-2 offsuit pre-flop. The board came Q-J-2-8-Q and Billirakis’ two pair sent Mueller packing. 451 poker players entered the event.
Just a couple of days later, Spegal emerged victorious in Event #4. He did so on June 6th, his ninth wedding anniversary. Also at the final table of the event were poker pro Gavin Smith, PocketFives.com ranked player Eric “Rizen” Lynch, and WSOP bracelet winner Jon “pokertrip” Freidberg. After eliminating Freidberg in third place, Spegal defeated Smith heads up on the following hand: Smith had pocket fives. Spegal turned over A-10 of spades. The flop came J-6-3 with two spades, giving Spegal a flush draw as well as two overs. The turn brought the queen of spades and that was all she wrote for Gavin Smith. Lynch finished in 7th place, meaning PocketFivers represented three of the top seven finishers in this event. Spegal’s wife presented the coveted WSOP bracelet to her husband, causing ESPN commentator Norman Chad to pronounce, “You are the only married man I know of who gets to play poker on his anniversary.” Spegal beat out a field of 781 entrants. His thoughts on winning a WSOP bracelet: “The event was exhausting. I was on a three-day thrill ride. It was one of the most exciting times of my life and I got to share it with my wife. It was a poker player’s dream come true.”If you want to relive these events yourself, you can do so starting on July 10th, when ESPN will air Event #1. The air date for Event #4 has not been announced. If you’ve jumped on the high definition bandwagon, both events will be broadcasted in HD. For all the latest updates and blogs live from the Rio in Las Vegas, Nevada, check out PocketFivesLive.com.
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