Words cannot describe what we’ve seen so far tonight in the finale of the 2011 World Series of Poker Main Event. One hand into three-handed play – yes, one hand – Ben Lamb(pictured) raised to 3 million from the small blind and Martin Staszko, seated in the big blind, pushed the action to 7.5 million. Lamb moved all-in and Staszko called for his tournament life. Did we mention this was on the very first hand of three-handed play?

Lamb tabled K-J, much to the uproar of the poker fans this author was seated with, and Staszko showed pocket sevens for a race. The crowd chanted “Ben-ba, Ben-ba” and seemed to be in shock when the high-stakes coin flip went down. ESPN commentator Antonio Esfandiari observed, “This is insane action.” Lamb’s crowd numbered about 250, many of which donned green Ben Lamb t-shirts.

The flop came 9-3-2, preserving Staszko’s lead with a pair of sevens, and the turn was a three. Lamb was drawing to a king or jack on the river, neither of which hit, and the American was crippled to 12.7 million in chips, or just 10 big blinds.

Three hands later, it was all over for the 2011 WSOP Player of the Year, who many this author spoke to had picked to win it all. Lamb open-shoved and Staskzo (pictured) made the call, this time showing pocket jacks. Lamb tabled Q-6 and the flop came 5-5-2. The turn was a deuce, leaving Lamb drawing to three outs on the river. The final card of Lamb’s Main Event run was a seven and the longtime PocketFives member picked up over $4 million for third place.

Just like that, we are down to heads-up play in the WSOP Main Event. All of this happened within the first 20 minutes of play, an incredibly fast pace given the amount of money at stake.

Lamb told ESPN’s Kara Scott, “The first time he 3bet me, I thought if I 4bet and he folds, I’d be able to control the table a little bit better. If he does fold, I win the hand and we’re about even in chips. With the pay jumps, I wanted to give myself the best chance to win the tournament. I wish I won the flip.”