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WSOP Update - Day 29

25 July 2006

LAS VEGAS -- One established professional won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet on Monday night, while another will be looking to make history with his 10th tonight. Here's an update on all the action from the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino.

Event # 32 - $5,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
Jason Lester, best known for finishing fourth in the 2003 Main Event, won his first WSOP bracelet and over $550,000 by beating young Internet pro Alan Sass heads-up. Click here for more about this tournament.

Event # 34 - $1,000 No Limit Hold'em with Rebuys
Phil Hellmuth comes into today's final table as the overwhelming chip leader with $768,000. Hellmuth, whose nine WSOP bracelets is one shy of the record held by Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan, has over 30 percent of the chips in play.

Hellmuth has been a force during this year's WSOP, making his third final table and his sixth finish in the money. But Hellmuth, who is well aware of his place on poker's all time lists, is really only concerned with getting his hands on his 10th gold bracelet.

Among those chasing Hellmuth is Juha Helppi, who is third in chips. Helppi, an established pro from Finland, is best known for beating Phil Gordon heads up in the 2002 World Poker Tour (WPT) Ultimate Bet Classic. Helppi has seven career WSOP cashes, including two this year, and is making his first WSOP final table.

Ralph Perry, who won his first bracelet just over a week ago in the $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha event, sits in fourth chip position. Perry has 14 career WSOP cashes, including six final table appearances. He finished 15th in the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event earlier this month.

John Spadavecchia, the chip leader after day one, sits in sixth place heading into today's final table. Spadavecchia has 20 WSOP cashes and one bracelet, is making his seventh final table appearance.

In seventh, David Plastik is making his first final table. Plastik has finished in the money 10 times over the last two years, but his biggest payday was $46,245 for 148th in the 2004 Main Event.

Finally, the short stack is Australia's Tony Guoga, aka "Tony G." Well known for his brash attitude and style of play, Guoga has six career WSOP cashes and is best known for his second place finish at the 2004 WPT Grand Prix de Paris.

The final table of Event # 34 will begin at 2 p.m. PST. First place will earn $631,863.

Final Table Chip Stacks
Phil Hellmuth - $768,000
Daryn Firicano - $450,000
Juha Helppi - $436,000
Ralph Perry - $235,000
Terris Preston - $164,000
John Spadavecchia - $122,000
David Plastik - $121,000
Elio Cabrera - $95,000
Tony Guoga - $77,000

Event #35 - $1,000 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo
This event began yesterday with 788 people, and after 12 hours of play, the field was narrowed to 98. The top 72 players will finish in the money. The tournament is scheduled to end tonight, with play beginning at 2 p.m.

Henry Araneta is the chip leader after Day One with $42,000.

Other top players still in contention include:
5th: "Miami" John Cernuto - $27,400
9th: Jeff Madsen - $23,175
13th: Alex Jacob - $21,875
32nd: John Juanda - $14,650
42nd: Cindy Violette - $12,000
59th: David Sklanski - $9,200
81st: Annie Duke - $5,900

Event # 36 - $1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout
Play started yesterday for 524 players at 54 tables, and the 54 winners have all advanced to today's Day Two. Today's nine table winners will advance to the final table, which will be held on Wednesday.

Every player who won a table yesterday will earn at least $7,153.

Top players who advanced to Day Two include: Andy Bloch, Mike Caro, Eric Froehlich, Howard Lederer, Chris Moneymaker and Marco Traniello.

Events # 36 and # 37 Begin Today
The final two events leading up to the start of the $10,000 No Limit Hold'em Main Event will begin this afternoon. Event # 36, a three-day $1,500 No Limit Hold'em tournament will begin at noon, while Event # 37, a two-day $5,000 No Limit Deuce-to-Seven Draw tournament, is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.

Aaron Todd

Home-game hotshot Aaron Todd was an editor/writer at Casino City for nearly eight years, and is currently the Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications and Marketing at St. Lawrence University, his alma mater. While he is happy to play Texas Hold'em, he'd rather mix it up and play Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw, and Badugi.

Aaron Todd

Home-game hotshot Aaron Todd was an editor/writer at Casino City for nearly eight years, and is currently the Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications and Marketing at St. Lawrence University, his alma mater. While he is happy to play Texas Hold'em, he'd rather mix it up and play Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw, and Badugi.