Written By: ThePokerBonus.com
The 2008 WSOP Main Event is down to the final 27 players and the stacks are getting big! Here’s a rundown of the highlights as originally reported on PokerNews.com.
Today brought dissapointing endings for Mike ‘The Mouth’ Matusow and Phil Hellmuth as they busted in 30th and 45th respectively. Matusow went out when his AJ hit a board of AA59K against an A9 held by Paul Snead. Mikey takes home $193,000 for his efforts.
Phil Hellmuth lost his final 405,000 chips after moving all-in preflop with Ah, Qd. He was called by Andrew Rosskam who’s pocket jacks held up even after the turn card gave Hellmuth a gutshot straight draw, the nut flush draw, and still two overcards that could win. The board read Kd 4h 3h 10h, and the river brought the 2s.
Hellmuth was also in the news last night and this morning as he was supposed to be penalized for an argument he got into during the final minutes of play yesterday. While sitting at the same table as Mike Matusow, Hellmuth got bluffed out of a pot in which Matusow told the guy to show his bluff. He did show his bluff and Hellmuth began berating the player. After several minutes of insults the tournament director was called over and penalized Hellmuth one full turn around the table that was supposed to go into effect during the first round this morning. However, before the event started this morning Hellmuth had a meeting with the bigwigs in charge who overturned the penalty saying the penalty imposed was too harsh (figures). Nobody will ever know, but it makes you wonder if they would have done the same thing for a no-name player doesn’t it?
The hottest news going on right now is Tiffany ‘Hot Chips’ Michelle and her towering stack of 9,755,000 chips! That puts the PokerNews.com interview girl in 3rd place overall, with a serious shot at the final table. If you haven’t seen Tiffany, she’s a little hottie who could attract a ton of positive attention to poker if she can continue crushing the main event. Tiffany could definately provide the shot in the arm poker and the WSOP needs right now, we hope she can make it. What’s really impressive is the way Tiffany has gotten to where she has. Anyone who’s been following her trek through this field of 6,844 players has seen her consistently add chips to her stack and stay near the chip leaders throughout most of the tournament. She didn’t get her stack by getting lucky a few times, she’s been active and building her stack steadily. After last years lackluster win by Gary Fang…err, Harry Wang…err…ah yes, Jerry Yang, the WSOP should hit new highs in TV ratings should Tiffany make it to the final table. You go girl!
With all of the big names in poker already out of the tournament, there’s a lot riding on Tiffany. Without Hellmuth, Matusow or any other big name pro’s left, we could be in store for a totally unknown group at the final table this year. Guys will root for Tiffany because she’s hot, women will root for her because she’s a girl. We’ll root for her because she’s good for poker…and because she’s hot.
Whatever happens, look for a large presence of Pokerstars sponsored players this year. Certainly some of the currently unsponsored players will get picked up by other rooms, but the stage is set well for Pokerstars as at least 8 of the remaining 27 players are already sponsored by them.
Check back here on Monday evening for the latest update on the 2008 WSOP Main Event!
