Top US professional poker player Phil Hellmuth (53) has claimed his fifteenth World Series of Poker winner’s bracelet, along with the main prize of $485,082 after winning the $5,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em (30 minute levels) competition.
Hellmuth, who with 14 bracelets was already comfortably ahead of his closest rivals, widened the gap Wednesday after defeating double-bracelet holder Steven Wolansky from Florida in the heads up.
Hellmuth went into the heads up at a 3 to 1 disadvantage, but quickly doubled up, and from then on the two finalists vied for the lead until Hellmuth managed to retain momentum and win the contest.
It was Hellmuth’s record 134th WSOP cash, and that 15th bracelet puts him even further ahead of 10-bracelet rivals like Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan and Phil Ivey.
The competition recorded 452 entries and generated a prize pool of $2,101,800, allowing 68 players to cash.