Hellmuth in Full Swing

It may be late in the day, but whilst others are slowly withering away and feeling the fatigue that comes with a final level, the Hellmuth Show is just beginning, his recent antics and inevitable table talk reeling in a crowd that had to be ushered away by the tournament director.

After calling a preflop raise of 4,800, Hellmuth and his foe saw a {9-Hearts}

flop. With his opponent betting out 8,000, Hellmuth swiftly moved in for 13,200, his tournament life seemingly hanging by a thread.

However, after his opponent dwelt for just a millisecond, Hellmuth suddenly relaxed and began to bask in the spotlight of the photographers and onlooking rail.

"I've been setting this up all day," claimed Hellmuth. "I just need to dodge two more cards."

Hellmuth's opponent rose from his seat as he mulled over his decision. The crowd, meanwhile, swamped the edge of the table as they awaited the conclusion of the hand, and any Hellmuthism that might follow.

"Please don't be drawing live," begged Hellmuth, at one point referring to his opponent as "little man."

"This is one for you people at home," Hellmuth added, pointing at my good self, but not quite realising that I wasn't at home, but here at the Rio.

After an elongated pause, his opponent eventually conceded defeat and made the fold. Hellmuth, meanwhile, flipped over {5-Spades}

and exclaimed, "I have a set, what, it's Hellmuth, what do you expect?"

Whilst Hellmuth was speaking about himself in the third person and rebuilding his now 40,000 stack, Young Phan approached the table and pleaded, "No, don't let that guy win."

Love him or hate him, Hellmuth sure is fun to watch and jolly good entertainment.

Tags: Phil Hellmuth

2008 World Series of Poker

2008 World Series of Poker

Hellmuth in Full Swing