Phil Hellmuth Denied Tenth WSOP Bracelet

2006 World Series of Poker - Las Vegas

Phil Hellmuth’s search for his tenth WSOP bracelet continues after he came agonisingly close in the WSOP Event#9 No Limit Holdem.

Hellmuth continues to trail behind all time leaders Doyle Brunson, and Johnny Chan who both won their tenth bracelet at last years WSOP.

Many consider the $5,000 buy in No Limit Holdem event the second toughest competition, second only to the WSOP main event, and past winners include such big names as Johnny Chan, T.J Cloutier, and Hellmuth himself.

Before this event most people would not have recognised the name of Jeff Cabanillas, but it was this tournament that was to put the former Cell Phone store owner on the map. It wasn’t just the victory but also the nature of the victory that makes it so special for Cabanillas. Navigating his way through a field of 621 players to reach the final table is an achievement in itself, but to then go on and win the tournament and deny Hellmuth his record equalling tenth bracelet made this a very special victory.

Poker legend Phil Hellmuth, pokers favourite bad boy heaped the pressure on Cabanillas and the others at the final table, as the intimidating 6 foot 5 inch frame and equally intimidating mouth of Hellmuth, enjoyed the support of the majority of the massive audience who were all rooting for Hellmuth to win his tenth bracelet and to witness history being made. Also sitting in the crowd were Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson, eagerly waiting to see if Hellmuth’s name would once again join them at the top of the WSOP bracelet chart.

It was not Cabanillas but rather Vinny Vinh the chip leader going into the final table that appeared as though he would be Hellmuth’s biggest obstacle. Dutchman Marcel Luske, French-Canadian star Isabelle Mercier amongst other formidable opponents made this a tough final table.

Final Table Line-up

Seat 1 - Vinny Vinh - chips $784,000
Seat 2 - Isabelle Mercier - chips $301,000
Seat 3 - Eugene Todd - chips $240,000
Seat 4 - Marcel Luske - chips $458,000
Seat 5 - Jeff Cabanillas - chips $275,000
Seat 6 - Douglas “Rico” Carli - chips $273,000
Seat 7 - Danny Smith - chips $117,000
Seat 8 - Thomas Schreiber - chips $200,000
Seat 9 - Phil Hellmuth, Jr - chips $461,000

9th Place - Danny Smith did not spend much time at the final table, when the Student was knocked out early on in 9th place receiving $58,468.

8th Place - The next player to go out was a total shock to those watching. Chip leader Vinny Vinh who arrived at the final table with a substantial chip lead, lost most of his chips to Marcel Luske. He then went on to lose what chips he has left over to Phil Hellmuth when his king-queen suited was beaten by Hellmuth’s ace-ten when an ace hit on the flop. Vinh collected $87,702 for a disappointing eighth place finish.

7th Place - Next to go was Douglas Carli, who was forced to play a weaker hand with his short stack, and Jeff Cabanillas made a pair and sent Carli home $116,936 richer.

6th Place - Tomas Schrieber was eliminated in sixth place when his pocket sevens were cracked by Cabanillas ace-king which went on to make a straight. Schrieber left with $146,170.

5th Place - Next to go was popular Isabelle “No Mercy” Mercier who was making her first ever WSOP final table appearance. Mercier struggled after taking a few bad beats, and not receiving the cards she would of liked in the last hour of her tournament. She left the tournament collecting $175,404.

4th Place - Marcel Luske, who has won just about everything in poker except a WSOP title, hopes were dashed despite taking the chip lead. A number of bad beats decimated his chip stack and the Dutchman was eliminated in fourth place collecting $204,638.

At this point there was a moment which hinted at what was to come, when Hellmuth and Cabanillas faced off for a monster sized pot. The board was showing Q-J-9-7-6 with 400,000 chips at stake. Cabanillas moved all-in for 600,000 and Hellmuth, after thinking long and hard, mucked his hand. Cabanillas flipped over his cards to show a bluff which sent Hellmuth into one of his trademark tantrums, standing up and slamming his chair against the stage in a rage.

3rd Place - Eugene Todd, who had held out well, went out in third place after he moved all in with top pair only to be called by an overpair. Todd collected $233,872.

The final face-off between Cabanillas and Hellmuth lasted over four hours, with Hellmuth making a number of brilliant plays, taking the chip lead several times, but Cabanillas kept coming back and frustrating the Poker brat.

The final hand was when Cabanillas, holding a 5 to 1 chip lead, called Hellmuth’s all in move after the flop had come down 6-4-3 with two diamonds. Hellmuth showed 5-4 offsuit ( a pair and straight draw) and Cabanillas turned over 5-3 of diamonds, for a straight flush draw.

Hellmuth caught a third 4 on the turn but the River card dealt the final blow to Hellmuth turning over a diamond to give Cabanillas a flush.

Hellmuth walked away with compensation of $423,893 for his second place finish, but it was Cabanillas who has earned a memory he won’t forget, taking the WSOP bracelet and a first prize of $818,546.

Official Results:

1. Jeff Cabanillas Los Angeles, CA $818,546
2. Phil Hellmuth, Jr. Palo Alto, CA $423,893
3. Eugene Todd Brooklyn, NY $233,872
4. Marcel Luske Amsterdam, Holland $204,638
5. Isabelle Mercier Montreal, Quebec $175,404
6. Thomas Schreiber Danielson, CT $146,170
7. Douglas Carli Alliance, OH $116,936
8. Vinnie Vinh Houston, TX $87,702
9. Danny Smith Folsom, CA $58,468
10. Dang Trinh Toronto, ON $32,157
11. Thomas Fuller Boulder, CO $32,157
12. Keith Tilston Austin, TX $32,157
13. Tommy Vedes Bullhead City, AZ $26,311
14. Paul Wasicka Westminster, CO $26,311
15. Conor Cornelius Manchester, UK $26,311
16. Robert Hollink Groningen, Netherlands $20,464
17. Van La Hung Manhattan Beach, CA $20,464
18. Joseph Toth Sharpsville, PA $20,464
19. Erik Cajelais Mascovche, Quebec $14,617
20. Michael McDonald Wichita, KS $14,617
21. Jean-Robert Bellande Los Angeles, CA $14,617
22. Michael McNeil Wheeling, WV $14,617
23. Stephen Crockett Costa Mesa, CA $14,617
24. Galen Kester Senatobia, MS $14,617
25. Wayne Boich Las Vegas, NV $14,617
26. Matt Wolf New York, NY $14,617
27. Danny Fuhs Scottsdale, AZ $14,617
28. Casey Kastle Chicago, IL $10,232
29. Richard Tatalovich Scottsdale, AZ $10,232
30. Dustin “Neverwin” Woolf Los Angeles, CA $10,232
31. Joe Monro Beverly Hills, MI $10,232
32. Thomas Koo Burnaby, BC $10,232
33. Carl Olsen Seattle, WA $10,232
34. Chad Brown Los Angeles, CA $10,232
35. Gabriel Thaler NA $10,232
36. Richard Freire Miami, FL $10,232
37. John Esposito Las Vegas, NV $8,770
38. Steven Prentky Las Vegas, NV $8,770
39. Shawn Chaconas New York, NY $8,770
40. Elton Beebe Austin, TX $8,770
41. Kostantin Anastasyadis Amsterdam, Holland $8,770
42. Scott Numato Campbell, CA $8,770
43. Robert Hume Orlando, FL $8,770
44. Jeffrey Freedman Simi Valley, CA $8,770
45. Nicholas Gibson Windsor, England $8,770
46. Marco Traniello Las Vegas, NV $7,309
47. Brian Wilson Fort Myers, FL $7,309
48. Brian Fleming Bradenton, FL $7,309
49. Rene Angelil Henderson, NV $7,309
50. Chau Giang Las Vegas, NV $7,309
51. Randy Haddox Houston, TX $7,309
52. Thomas D. McCormick Fargo, ND $7,309
53. Dewey Tomko Winter Haven, FL $7,309
54. Tom Roupe Houston, TX $7,309
55. Raymond Joll Pittsburgh, PA $5,847
56. Feming Chan Cranbury, NJ $5,847
57. Richard Mornick Montclair, NJ $5,847
58. Stanley Goldstein Los Angeles, CA $5,847
59. Scott Bohlman Homer Glen, IL $5,847
60. Robert Fox, Jr. Los Gatos, CA $5,847
61. Brian Lesser Weston, MA $4,386
62. Michael Mizrachi Hollywood, FL $4,385
63. Eric Ford Tigarel, OR $4,385
64 John Roueto Shellville, GA $4,385

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