Playing what he describes as “the best poker” of his life, Phil Hellmuth was the last man standing in the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event (a starting field of over 400 players). Hellmuth held the chip lead for most of the final table thanks in part to adopting a more aggressive playing style than most fans of the “Poker Brat” are used to. Antonio Esfandiari covered the live stream of the final table and was taken aback by Hellmuth’s performance: ” I was shocked, impressed and completely confused by Phil Hellmuth today.” Esfandiari stated. By defeating Ukranian businessman Sergii Baranov, Hellmuth won 1.02 million euros and took the lead in the WSOP Player of the Year standings (which he will win unless Greg Merson can win the WSOP Main Event set to resume later this month). Phil became the first player to win the Main Event of both the WSOP and WSOPE and seemed to appreciate the history he was making, ” I know people don’t expect me to use this word, but I’m humbled,” he said. “I’m trying to figure out if this is real or not.” Hellmuth also joins Esfandiari as the only other player to win more than one bracelet in 2012 and extends his own record of most bracelets won, widening the gap between himself and Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan who are tied for second with 10 bracelets apiece.
Rake Refuge 