When you hold the record for the most World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, there are perks.
For Phil Hellmuth, whose 16 bracelets (and counting) may never be touched, one of those perks is his own personal break room at Horseshoe Las Vegas. That's a nice benefit especially on 90-minute dinner breaks.
Hellmuth granted PokerNews access to his small but intimate break room, which is in an undisclosed location.
Nick Pupillo raised from under the gun and Josh Arieh three-bet next to act. Action folded around to Joseph Beasy in the big blind, who four bet. Both Pupillo and Arieh called.
Action checked to Arieh on the A♥9♠8♦ flop, who bet. Beasy called all in and Pupillo raised. Arieh called.
Arieh called bets from Pupillo on the 10♣ turn and 5♥ river and Pupillo tabled A♣A♠ for top set. It was good against the AxQx of Arieh and J♥J♦ of Beasy — who was eliminated in 12th place.
Nick Schulman raised before Motoyoshi Okamura three-bet jammed for a total of 45,000. Joe McKeehen raised one more bet and Nick Schulman called to create a side pot. Action was three ways with Okamura at risk.
The flop ws Q♥9♥9♣ and McKeehen bet. Schulman called and the turn was 9♥.
The turn brought a check-call from McKeehen to see 5♥ on the river. McKeehen check-called again and the cards were turned up.
Schulman had A♣K♠ and Okamura had A♥3♠, but it was McKeehen's 10♥10♠ that held strong to secure the pot and eliminate Okamura in 13th place for $20,000.
Ronnie Bardah raised from under the gun and Kevin Song three-bet next to act. Action folded back around to Bardah, who called.
The flop came 4♥8♠Q♦ and Bardah check-raised a bet from Song. Song then three-bet and Bardah came right back with a four-bet. Song called.
Song then called bets from Bardah on the J♥ turn and A♦ river. Bardah tabled 8♥8♦ for a flopped set of eights and Song mucked — sending the big pot Bardah's way.
Yong Wang raised first-to-act with just a few chips behind and action folded around to Daniel Idema in the big blind, who three-bet to put Wang all in. Wang called and hands were revealed.
Yong Wang: K♥Q♦
Daniel Idema: 10♥5♦
Wang was ahead, but the 9♣5♠8♥4♠A♠ runout paired Idema's five — ending Wang's run in 14th place.
Nick Schulman raised from the small blind and Motoyoshi Okamura called from the big blind.
The flop was 8♣4♥K♣ and Schulman bet. Okamura raised and then called when Schulman fired back with a three-bet.
The turn was 8♥ and Schulman bet. Okamura raised less than a bet more and he was at risk for his last 40,000. Schulman turned over K♠3♣ and Okamura had 8♠7♣ for three eights.
The river was a 2♠ and Okamura held on for a double.
Joseph Beasy opened from the hijack and was three-bet by Josh Arieh on the button. Action folded back to Beasy, who called.
Beasy check-called bets from Arieh on the J♠3♦9♥ flop and K♠ turn, but then check-raised a bet from Arieh when the 2♦ completed the board. Arieh then made it three bets to go and Beasy called.
Arieh tabled Q♦10♦ for the nuts, which was good against the A♥K♦ of Beasy — sending the large pot Arieh's way.