2012 Wsop Event 18

 Monday June 11, 2012 :  HELLMUTH WINS WORLD SERIES OF POKER BRACELET #12 (Update)
 
It's been a long wait, but Event 18 finally delivered the record breaking win
 
Poker ace Phil Hellmuth entered the World Series of Poker record books Sunday when he finally managed to win his twelfth victor's bracelet, becoming the top winner in the championship's long history.
 
His main prize reward was not large by Hellmuth standards – just $182,793 – but the $2,500 buy-in Seven Card Razz event will be one he long remembers as an important milestone in an illustrious and high profile career.
 
To get there he had to survive a field of 308 quality players, three days, and a final table that comprised five other bracelet holders among Don Zewin, Brandon Cantu, Scott Fischman, Brendan Taylor, Barry Greenstein, Michael Chow and Jeff Mistiff….and then dominate a heads up against a determined Don Zewin early on Monday morning.
 
When Brandon Cantu was busted out by Hellmuth in third place the stage was set for what promised to be an epic clash between Zewin and Hellmuth – two master players with tough reputations and wide experience.
 
Zewin possibly had a fleeting deja vu experience as he faced off against the poker star;  back in 1989 in the WSOP main event Zewin, Johnny Chan and Hellmuth battled for the title , leading to Hellmuth's first bracelet and his first major career triumph.
Despite holding the chip lead going into the heads up, Hellmuth was visibly nervous when play began before a growing crowd of railbirds intent on seeing history made.
 
Zewin did his best to make it difficult for his opponent, and at one time narrowed the gap in chip stacks substantially, but it was Hellmuth's day at last and he proved unstoppable.
 
As the winning card was played Hellmuth leapt out of his seat in jubilation, but then appeared to be overcome with emotion, slumping to the floor as the realisation that he had ended his five year bracelet drought to enter the history books with # 12 sank in.
 
"People are results oriented, and they should be. If you want to be great in our game, you have to win,” the new record holder commented.
 
Other pay outs in the event were:
 
2  Don Zewin  $113,024 
3  Brandon Cantu  $74,269  
4  Scott Fischman  $54,248  
5  Brendan Taylor  $40,167 
6  Barry Greenstein  $30,150  
7  Michael Chow  $22,945  
8  Jeff Mistiff  $17,693