Posted at 12:53 p.m., Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Hellmuth wins record World Series of Poker bracelet
Advertiser Staff
LAS VEGAS — Phil Hellmuth Jr. became the winningest World Series of Poker player ever on last night, beating 2,627 other players to win his 11th series tournament and move past Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan in the bracelet race.Hellmuth won a $1,500 buy-in No Limit Hold'em event, beating Andy Philacheck at the final table to take home $637,254 in prize money, which was deposited on the felt in customary fashion.
"The weird thing was I barely touched the money or noticed the money," Hellmuth said today. "I'm a bracelet guy."
"It's nice to be number one, you know?"
Brunson and Chan presented Hellmuth, a 42-year-old who dropped of the University of Wisconsin, Madison to play professionally, with the bracelet at a brief ceremony after his win.
Hellmuth, known in poker circles as the "brat" because of his complaints about opponents' play, appeared to live up to his nickname in the win.
"As I told him, he only called seven people an idiot on the way to winning it," said Brunson. "There's no put-on with him. He says what he thinks and he doesn't attempt to be diplomatic."
"I'm proud for him," said Brunson, who added he'll be trying to even the score this year. "If I do, fine, if I don't, the sun will still come up in the east tomorrow."
In 1989, Hellmuth became the youngest player at age 24 to win the World Series' main event by defeating two-time defending champ Chan.
The early World Series events began June 1 and the $10,000 main event is slated to run from July 6 to the wee hours of July 18.
