The cards are in the air for heads-up play. WIll it be Phil Hellmuth for number twelve or Brian Rast for number two? The World Series of Poker Thunderdome is jam-packed and the cash in on the table!
![[user101598]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
Believe it or not, this is Phillip Hellmuth Jr.'s first career seven-figure score. Despite winning 11 World Series of Poker Bracelets, his largest cash to date was the $755,000 he earned for winning the 1989 Main Event. He only has three other cashes of half a million or more - he won a $1,500 no limit hold'em bracelet event in 2007 for $637,254, a $1,000 no limit hold'em bracelet event in 2006 for $631,863 and he received $500,000 for winning the NBC National Heads-Up Championship in 2005.
Seven figures is nice, but we're sure Hellmuth has his eyes on something more important - that elusive 12th bracelet.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
10,015,000
7,770,000
|
7,770,000 |
|
||
|
9,185,000
6,525,000
|
6,525,000 |
|
||
The players are now on a short break so that the camera crews can setup for heads-up play.
Hand #163
Phil Hellmuth started the hand with the button. He folded and Minh Ly raised to 260,000 from the small blind. Brian Rast moved all in over the top and Ly folded.
Hand #164
Minh Ly had the button. He too folded the button and Brian Rast gave Phil Hellmuth a walk in the big blind.
Hand #165
Brian Rast had the button. He raised to 240,000 and won the pot.
Hand #166
Phil Hellmuth had the button. He raised to 280,000. Minh Ly was in the small blind and reraised all in for 1.925 million. Brian Rast folded in the big blind and then action was back on Hellmuth. He made the call after about a minute.
Ly held the 
and Hellmuth tabled the 
. The crowd rose to their feet and the flop was next.
The flop came down 
to give Hellmuth a pair of sixes. Ly picked up a gutshot straight draw. The turn was the 
, which added a pair of fives for Ly. The river completed the board with the 
and that was it. Ly was eliminated in third place for $665,763, leaving Hellmuth heads up with Rast.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
8,865,000
-545,000
|
-545,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
7,910,000
150,000
|
150,000 |
|
|
||
|
2,425,000
395,000
|
395,000 |
Hand #159
Brian Rast had the button. Phil Hellmuth completed from the small blind, Minh Ly raised to 360,000, and Hellmuth called. The flop fell down 
, and both players checked.
The turn was the 
, and both players checked again.
The river was the 
, the two checked again, and Hellmuth opened up for a pair of threes. They were good and he won the pot.
Hand #160
Phil Hellmuth had the button. Minh Ly raised to 360,000 from the small blind and won the pot.
Hand #161
Minh Ly had the button. Brian Rast raised to 280,000 from the small blind and won the hand.
Hand #162
Brian Rast had the button. He opened to 240,000, and Minh Ly defended his big blind. The dealer fanned 
, Ly checked, and Rast continued for 275,000. Ly moved all in, and Rast quickly folded.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
9,410,000
-95,000
|
-95,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
7,760,000
960,000
|
960,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
2,030,000
-865,000
|
-865,000 |
Hand #155
Minh Ly started things off with the button. Phil Hellmuth got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #156
Brian Rast was on the button to start this hand. He raised to 240,000. Minh Ly reraised in the big blind to 660,000. Rast folded and Ly won the pot.
Hand #157
Phil Hellmuth had the button. He folded and Minh Ly called from the small blind before Brian Rast checked in the big blind. The flop came down 
and Ly fired 175,000. Rast raised to 550,000. Ly folded and Rast won the pot.
Hand #158
Minh Ly had the button. He started things off with a raise to 240,000. Phil Hellmuth called from the big blind and the flop came down 
with Hellmuth having checked in the dark. Ly checked behind.
The turn was he 
and Hellmuth fired 300,000. Ly raised to 600,000 and instantly, Hellmuth moved all in. Ly folded and Hellmuth won the pot.
Level: 27
Blinds: 60,000/120,000
Ante: 30,000
