We’re nearing the home stretch in the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP). As of the end of the weekend, only 10 events will be on the docket, meaning there’s not much time left for players to etch their names into poker history. Bracelet bets have been the center of much discussion in the WSOP, headlined by Full Tilt Poker pros Tom “durrrr” Dwan and Phil Ivey.
Ivey won a bracelet in Event #37, a $3,000 HORSE tournament, after defeating two-time WSOP tournament winner and math whiz Bill Chen heads-up. Ivey earned $329,000, but that figure pales in comparison to the rumored $5 million bracelet bet that sites like PokerListings and Pokerati have reported that Ivey has with fellow Full Tilt pro Howard Lederer. “The Professor” will apparently have to pay Ivey $5 million, or 15 times his payday in Event #37, if he wins two bracelets total during the 2010 and 2011 WSOP. Ivey is already halfway there.
Ivey is so heavily invested in bracelet bets that he reportedly may not participating in the Tournament of Champions in order to try to win a second bracelet this year. Ironically, Ivey was the top vote getter in the Tournament of Champions, an invite-only event whose winner takes home $500,000. A total of 27 players will take to the felts and Ivey will most likely be found at the feature table, assuming he plays. The gala will air on ESPN.
Ivey bested a star-studded final nine to win the $3,000 HORSE event. Here’s how the final table cashed out:
1. Phil Ivey – $329,840
2. Bill Chen – $203,802
3. John Juanda – $129,553
4. Kenneth Aldridge – $93,418
5. Jeffrey Lisandro – $68,417
6. Dave Baker – $50,871
7. Albert Hahn – $38,391
8. Chad Brown – $29,406
9. Ryan Hughes – $22,849
Meanwhile, Tao of Poker reported that Dwan stands to collect up to $15 million from bracelet bets this year, leading to a flurry of interest in Event #11, when he made the final two against Australia’s Simon Watt. Thankfully for those who bet against the young gun and high-stakes gambler, Watt emerged victorious in the $1,500 No Limit Hold’em contest. Dwan cashed for $381,000, which we’re sure was a colossal disappointment.
Watt gained instant fame as the man who saved the poker world a bundle of cash by holding off Dwan. According to coverage found on WSOP.com, Mike Matusow approached Watt following his big win and lauded, “Thank you for saving us all millions of dollars! How does it feel to be every high-stakes gambler’s hero?”
Dwan scurried away from the mob as the final card was dealt in the $1,500 No Limit Hold’em event after his Q-6 could not draw out on Watt’s pocket nines. The final table was full of young poker talent, which you’d expect in a low-budget No Limit tournament:
1. Simon Watt – $614,248
2. Tom “durrrr” Dwan – $381,885
3. David Randall – $270,299
4. Austin McCormick – $194,939
5. Jason Young – $142,346
6. Michael Smith – $105,185
7. Marvin Rettenmaier – $78,681
8. Kyle Winter – $59,547
9. Eric Ladny – $45,603
This week, all eyes will be glued to two WSOP events. The brand new $25,000 buy-in Six-Max No Limit Hold’em event kicks off on Wednesday and will likely sport the most action of any WSOP tournament so far. On Monday, July 5th, the first of four starting days in the $10,000 Main Event will play out. The Main Event will play down to its final nine on July 17th before being paused for four months. Last year, PokerStars pro Joe Cada banked $8.5 million after defeating Maryland logger Darvin Moon heads-up.
Stay tuned to MacPoker.com for the latest from the 2010 World Series of Poker.
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