For about half an hour, a random member of the public was leaning on an empty seat next to Phil Hellmuth in the very heart of the cardroom, casually watching the action as if he was Mr Harrah's himself or the legendary Doyle Brunson. The thing is, he was neither of these people, and after a considerable while, Andy Black glanced up confused and asked, "Are you a member of the press?"
Our mystery intruder paused momentarily before lifting his arms from the seat and answering, "Er... yes."
"Ha!" yelled Black hysterically. "Five to one that was a complete bluff!" The rest of the table giggled uncontrollably.
As Mr X, as he shall forever be known, took a hesitant step back, Black experienced a change of heart. "No, stay, I want you to stay, I'll be upset if you don't."
"Why not take a seat?" suggested a hospitable Kevin O'Leary.
""I vote he stays," requested Black raising a paw. "I'll pay you to stay."
As players dispersed for the break, Black raced over to his new found friend. "I just thought it was a cash game or something," Mr X pleaded naively. "Do you know who you were leaning next to?" asked PokerNews' photographer Neil Stoddart. Mr X shrugged. "That's Phil Hellmuth, 11 bracelets." Mr X seemed none the wiser.
Only time will tell if Mr X will return after the break. I'm sure he will be welcomed back with open arms, although possibly not by Hellmuth.
where a pot of 7,300 had accumulated in the middle already - I gather his opponent had bet out and been raised all in (another 3,475) by Junglen. "I fold. Well done," was his reward for this bet.
board. Biechel bet 2,000 -- he'd been the aggressor all the way down, so no surprises there. Eventually, Wernick called, and was horrified to see the Frenchman turn over 
for a flush plucked out of thin air. Sighing, Wernick turned over 
. "I was right," he rued, "I called your nothing down all the way..."
flop, and folded instantly to a bet from Wernick. Wernick duly showed him the pleasingly strong 
-- and Nawab sheepishly turned over the bad-as-can-be 
.
