2008 World Series of Poker

Vanessa Selbst, Event No. 19 Champion

Congratulations to Vanessa Selbst, Event No. 19 Champion ($227,905)

Omaha's reputation as the "action game" was well served at today's final table, as Vanessa Selbst survived a memorably manic heads-up confrontation with Jamie Pickering to win the bracelet in Event No. 19, the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event.

Selbst took the chip lead midway through Day 1, and immediately began applying pressure to all of her shorter-stacked opponents. She increased her lead throughout Day 2, then a gutsy play in the final hand of the ten-handed final table propelled her to a massive chip lead entering today's play.

Selbst maintained control of the final table as the shorter stacks dropped away one by one. Then, at three-handed both eventual third-place finisher Stanley Statkiewicz and Pickering managed to double up through Selbst, and suddenly we were looking at three players with very even stacks.

Selbst soon retook her advantage, though, and after knocking out Statkiewicz managed to negotiate her way through the land mines of Pickering's no-look pot-sized raises to take home the bracelet. Selbst is the first woman to win a WSOP bracelet this year in an open event.

It's been a wild one here at Table No. 15. Thanks to everyone for following the coverage!

We Have Our Champion

Vanessa Selbst took 200,000 off Jamie Pickering before the final hand took place.

Surprisingly we had a limped pot that brought a flop .

Pickering checked to Selbst who bet 90,000. Pickering then looked at his cards and moved all in.

Selbst made the call and flipped over .
Pickering flipped over .

The turn came and river .

It's over as Vanessa Selbst's hand holds up and she wins Event 19, the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha. Jamie Pickering takes home $145,459 for second, and Vanessa Selbst grabs $227,965 and her first WSOP bracelet.

Congratulations also go to Jamie Pickering for his second-place finish and helping this be one of the most entertaining final tables of this year's WSOP.

"Are We Playing Poker Now?"

First hand back from the break: Selbst limped from the small blind/button, and Pickering checked -- his option and his cards.

The flop came . Pickering checked, Selbst bet 25,000, and Pickering called. "Are we playing poker now?" asked Selbst.

Both checked the on the turn. The river was the . Pickering checked, Selbst bet 95,000, and Pickering folded.

Players Are Back and the Level is Up 12,000/24,000

Impromptu Break

It was decided we all needed 15 minutes to calm down. Selbst now has about a 2-to-1 chip advantage.

Vanessa Selbst

Flip it Up

"This is the most degenerate thing I've ever seen," is a comment I've just heard from the rail.

Once again, Jamie Pickering raises blind from the button and Vanessa Selbst calls before the flop comes .

Selbst checks to Pickering who pots it blind before Selbst re-pots it.

He has to look now and once he does he re-pots it. Selbst knows she's pot-committed and calls with for second pair and a gutshot draw.

Amazingly Pickering flips over .

Selbst needs to suck out as the turn comes !! Two pair now ahead for Selbst and we see the final card .

Selbst stays ahead and and takes the chip lead once more.

Pickering Assumes Chip Lead

Picking this one up on a flop of . . .

Pickering raised to 120,000, and Selbst asked for a count of his remaining chips. When it was determined she could put him all in, she repotted.

"Have you got a ten?" he asked her. "No," she said. He made the call.

Pickering:
Selbst:

Pickering had flopped a set of fives, while Selbst had flopped a huge draw. The turn was the and the river the , and Pickering took the hand.

Pickering now has about 1.3 million, to Selbst's 760,000.

(Not sure, but it again appears Pickering hadn't checked his cards before turning them over on this one.)