Hellmuth Busts early in WPT Venice Grand Prix

Wednesday March 27,2013 : HELLMUTH OUT EARLY IN VENICE POKER TOURNEY
 
Flashy Phil's grand entrance followed by a quick exit
 
It's been awhile since international poker ace Phil Hellmuth made one of his spectacular fancy dress entrances at a major tournament, but he remedied that this week at the second entry day for the WPT Venice Grand Prix. Unfortunately, it was followed by elimination on the same day for the high profile grand-stander.
 
Hellmuth travelled to the venue at the Casino de Venezia Ca Vendramin Calergi along the Grand Canal in a gold gondola, surrounded by beautiful women and decked out in a Venetian ‘carnivale' mask, tuxedo and flowing cape.
 
The big and as usual slightly late entrance petered out as the poker ace barely managed one level of play before he busted with top-pair and a weak kicker.
 
Italian professional player Fernando Cimaglia ended the day as chip leader on 175,000 – well ahead of closest rival Massimo Mosele on 132,500.
 
The 108 player starting field on Day 1b brought the total entries for the tournament to 173 players, generating a prize pool of $576,740