As interesting as several contests have been in the 2011 WSOP so far, what many people were waiting to see was a bracelet going to one of the superstars of the game. The first fifteen bracelets were all captured by first-time champions which, while nice, is less than satisfying to those who cheer on the big names. Tyler Bonkowski from Regina, although a very nice guy I'm sure, just isn't Johnny Chan.
The star-gazers finally got something to cheer about in event 16: Duece to Seven No-Limit Draw when the final two players battling for the bracelet were four-time WSOP champion John Juanda and Phil Hellmuth, the all-time WSOP bracelet leader. The two players had virtually the same amount of chips for much of their heads up battle and the lead went back and forth for some time before Juanda finally took control. As the game began to slip away from Hellmuth his ledgendary temper showed itself with an occasional outburst, which only seemed to amuse Juanda who went on to win and collect his fifth bracelet.
The loss is likely a bitter one for Hellmuth. Even though his eleven bracelets are more than anyone else (and one more than both Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson) all of them have come in some form of Hold 'em; limit, pot limit or no limit. Wishing to be considered the undisputed greatest poker player that ever lived, Hellmuth can't shake the criticism that he can only dominate at one form of poker.
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