Phil Hellmuth’s seven-match successful streak was lastly snapped Wednesday night time as Tom Dwan defeated the 15-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner within the second spherical of PokerGO’s High Stakes Duel III.
With the second spherical matchup that includes a $100,000 buy-in, Dwan scooped your entire $200,000 prize pool and is pressured to play within the third spherical, which can double the buy-in to $200,000. Hellmuth will get first crack at a rematch if he needs it, however Hellmuth appeared reluctant to take it instantly afterward.
“I don’t know if I’m going to rematch now,” mentioned Hellmuth following the conclusion of the match.
Hellmuth swept the primary two editions of High Stakes Duel, successful three straight matches in opposition to Antonio Esfandiari within the first go-around and Daniel Negreanu within the second. He profited $350,000 from every collection, netting a tidy revenue of $700,000.
It was introduced that he would sq. off in opposition to sports activities broadcaster Nick Wright within the first spherical of High Stakes Duel III. And Hellmuth as soon as once more was victorious, successful the $50,000 buy-in spherical. Wright declined the rematch, which opened the door for Dwan to step into fray for the second spherical.
With the loss in opposition to Dwan, Hellmuth finally ends up a internet loser of $50,000 for the third collection, however remains to be up $650,000 over the course of his eight matches.
Wednesday night time was a rematch of the notorious first spherical battle of the 2008 NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship.
Dwan, who on the time was constructing fairly a status for himself beating the largest video games on-line enjoying underneath the display screen title ‘Durrrr,’ was matched up with probably the most profitable participant in WSOP historical past.
Dwan ended up victorious after the 2 bought all in preflop with Dwan’s pocket 10s up in opposition to Hellmuth’s pocket aces. Dwan spiked a ten on the flop to win the match, sending Hellmuth into one of many extra memorable rants of his profession.
“You’re the sucker. You just put 20,000 in with two 10s,” mentioned Hellmuth in 2008. “We’ll see if you’re even around in five years.”
Wednesday’s match held an analogous destiny for the 2007 Poker Hall of Fame inductee. It was the primary televised match between the 2 since 2008.
“We’ve played some since, but it’s probably been two years or something since we played a few days ago,” mentioned Dwan within the pre-match interview, referencing a high-stakes money sport he and Hellmuth performed with YouTuber Mr. Beast.
Dwan went on to say that he and Hellmuth have gotten alongside a lot better since their first match 13 years in the past.
“When we went on that USO tour, that’s when I think I got to know Phil,” mentioned Dwan. “Because he was the same person with no cameras on with the troops. I remember him getting sucked out on or something in a tournament that was effectively a charity tournament for the troops. One of the troops sucked out on Phil and he got so upset.”
Unfortunately for the Wisconsin native, the second matchup went eerily much like the primary with Dwan cracking Hellmuth’s aces for all of the chips.
Hellmuth bought out to a fast begin, chipping as much as 125,000 from the 100,000-chip beginning stack. But over the course of the six-hour match, it was principally down hill from there.
Dwan took the chip lead when he flopped high two pair in opposition to Hellmuth’s combo draw on a Q105 flop. Hellmuth guess with Okay9 and referred to as Dwan’s increase. He bricked his attracts, nonetheless, and ended up check-calling the flip guess and check-folding the river.
Hellmuth fell right into a deeper gap when he tried to bluff with ace-high on a 998J board, however Dwan moved all in with 107. Hellmuth was pressured to fold and was going through a 3-to-1 chip drawback.
Dwan grinded him down even additional till he was left with simply 20,000 of the 200,000 chips in play. With blinds of two,000-4,000, Hellmuth limped in on the button with AA and Dwan checked his choice with 93.
On a flop of 532, Dwan led out for five,000 and Hellmuth shoved for his final 16,000. Dwan referred to as and wanted assist however bought it when the 9 got here on the flip. The 6 river didn’t enhance Hellmuth and secured the match for Dwan.
Hellmuth has one other few days to make a concrete choice on whether or not he needs to play Dwan for a $200,000 buy-in. If he declines the rematch, Dwan is required to play another person within the third spherical.
Photos courtesy of PokerGO