2012 World Series of Poker › Event 18: $2,500 Seven Card Razz

The Poker Brat Refuses to Budge

Posted 2012-06-10 GMT-6 • Level 22: 12,000-24,000, 3,000 ante

Phil Hellmuth

Brandon Cantu, who is seated in the six seat, just asked Phil Hellmuth, who is in Seat 5, if he could scoot down a bit given the players in Seats 3 and 4 have been eliminated.

"No," said Hellmuth. "This is my lucky seat." Cantu seemed taken aback that such a simple request was denied and asked the floor if he'd request Hellmuth to move down a bit. "Even six inches," Cantu said.

The floor politely asked Hellmuth if he'd be willing to move down and again the "Poker Brat" refused. Cantu asked for a little help and the floor said he could check with his superiors, which prompted Hellmuth to say, "You better call Jack [Effel]."

Despite his unwillingness to budge, Hellmuth did say with sincerity, "I love Brandon Cantu." Hellmuth's stubbornness may just be a result of superstition, though it appears he has scooted down a bit.

Tags: Brandon Cantu, Phil Hellmuth.

Hellmuth Takes the Chip Lead

Posted 2012-06-10 GMT-6

Phil Hellmuth completed with a and then called a raise from Brendan Taylor. Hellmuth called another bet on the turn before taking the lead on fifth and betting out. This time it was Taylor who did the calling, which he would repeat on both sixth and seventh streets.

"Nine," Hellmuth said to signify a nine-low. Taylor didn't look too surprised as he folded his hand.

Taylor: (x-x) / / (x)
Hellmuth: (x-x) / / (x) ()

Chip Counts
Phil Hellmuth			650,000	170,000
Brendan Taylor			460,000	-185,000

Tags: Brendan Taylor, Phil Hellmuth.

Level 23 started

Posted 2012-06-10 GMT-6

Barry Greenstein Eliminated in 6th Place ($30,150)

Posted 2012-06-10 GMT-6

Barry Greenstein - 6th place.

Barry Greenstein: /
Brandon Cantu: /

Greenstein completed, Phil Hellmuth released, and Cantu examined Greenstein's stack before raising. Greenstein called. On fourth street, Cantu led out, and Greenstein raised. Cantu re-raised, putting Greenstein all in, and Cantu called.

Greenstein:
Cantu:

Greenstein was dealt a on fifth, Cantu received a , and then both players were dealt s on sixth. Cantu flipped over a on seventh, while Greenstein squeezed his down card.

"I'm even money," Greenstein said, grinning. "It's either the six or eight of hearts."

The would pair him, and the would give him the best hand. Unfortunately for the Bear, it was the eliminating him from the tournament. Greenstein received a loud round of applause, and he's off to the cage to collect his $30,150.

Chip Counts
Brandon Cantu			280,000	111,000
Barry Greenstein	PokerStars Team Pro		Busted

Tags: Barry Greenstein, Brandon Cantu.

Greenstein Slipping

Posted 2012-06-10 GMT-6

Barry Greenstein was showing an and completed, which Phil Hellmuth raised with his . Greenstein made the call and then called bets on the turn and fifth street. On sixth, Greenstein folded after receiving paint, but not before he showed his hole cards.

Greenstein: /
Hellmuth: (x-x) /
Hellmuth

Chip Counts
Phil Hellmuth			385,000	51,000
Barry Greenstein	PokerStars Team Pro		95,000	-76,000

Tags: Phil Hellmuth, Barry GReenstein.

Level 22 started

Posted 2012-06-10 GMT-6

Break Counts

Posted 2012-06-10 GMT-6

Chip Counts
Brendan Taylor			741,000	151,000
Don Zewin			565,000	-25,000
Scott Fischman			340,000	-35,000
Phil Hellmuth			334,000	-26,000
Barry Greenstein	PokerStars Team Pro		171,000	-89,000
Brandon Cantu			169,000	-21,000

Break Time

Posted 2012-06-10 GMT-6 • Level 21: 10,000-20,000, 2,000 ante

Players are now on their second 20-minute break of the day.

Action Slow

Posted 2012-06-10 GMT-6 • Level 21: 10,000-20,000, 2,000 ante

Action has slowed as of late with just a couple minutes remaining in this level. The slow play hasn't stopped Phil Hellmuth from telling the other players just how good he is. "I got here playing perfect," Hellmuth declared.

Tags: Phil Hellmuth.

Updated Chip Counts

Posted 2012-06-10 GMT-6

Chip Counts
Brendan Taylor			590,000	-15,000
Don Zewin			590,000	80,000
Scott Fischman			375,000	45,000
Phil Hellmuth			360,000	-5,000
Barry Greenstein	PokerStars Team Pro		260,000	-5,000
Brandon Cantu			190,000	-210,000