2008 World Series of Poker

39th Annual World Series of Poker Main Event
Day: 5
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Event Info

2008 World Series of Poker

Event Info
Buy-in
$10,000
Entries
6,844
Players Left
9
Next Payout
Place 9
$900,670
Level Info
Level
33
Blinds
120,000 / 240,000
Ante
30,000

Believe It, Phil

Shamus
Shamus
David Saab
David Saab
Phil Hellmuth limped from under the gun, then David Saab raised to 40,000 from the cutoff. Albert Kim called from the button, the blinds got out of the way, and Hellmuth called as well.

All three checked the {Q-Hearts}{10-Diamonds}{4-Clubs} flop. The turn was the {Q-Diamonds}. Hellmuth bet 140,000, and Saab called him instantly. Kim folded.

The river was the {8-Hearts}. This time Hellmuth checked, and Saab counted out some chips, eventually pushing 200,000 forward. Hellmuth mucked, and Saab showed {K-Clubs}{9-Hearts} before dragging the pot.

Hellmuth exhaled. "I play against these idiots," he began, Saab laughing in response. "Okay, you got away with it," Hellmuth conceded. "I should have reraised him preflop," added Kim.

Hellmuth was still shaking his head. "I can't believe what I just saw," he added, echoing Jack Buck's immortal call from another World Series.

"I'm the luckiest player," said Saab, still smiling. "Not only that, I'm color blind," a reference to the chip colors and their denominations.

(Incidentally, we're almost ten minutes later, now, and Hellmuth is still talking about the hand. He's saying now he folded pocket nines.)

Tags: Albert KimDavid SaabPhil Hellmuth