On the very first hand of play, Martin Staszko was able to double up through Ben Lamb, leaving Lamb with 12.7 million in chips. A few hands later, Lamb was eliminated after running Q-6 into Staszko's pocket Jacks. Pius Heinz shakes Lamb's hand before he exits the Final Table stage.
Jonathan Boncek - Pokernews
THREE'S A CROWD
What started with 6,865 players has come down to the final three. Pius Heinz of Germany (left) holds the chip lead at the start of play with 107.8 million in chips, Ben Lamb (center) sits on a 55.4 million chip stack, while Martin Staszko trails behind with 42.7 million.
Jonathan Boncek, Pokernews
TO THE VICTOR GO THE SPOILS
It's the biggest achievement in all of poker - winning the World Series of Poker Main Event. In addition to being ingrained into poker history, the winner of the 2011 WSOP Main Event will take home over $8.7 million and the WSOP Main Event Bracelet.
Jonathan Boncek - Pokernews
TRUE AMBASSADORS
Poker Hall of Famer Mike Sexton welcomes the Hall's newest member, Linda Johnson.
Jonathan Boncek - Pokernews
TEXAS DOLLY
10-time WSOP Bracelet champion Doyle Brunson shares a few kind words about Barry Greenstein during his presentation speech.
Jonathan Boncek - Pokernews
BARRY GREENSTEIN, 2011 POKER HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
Barry Greenstein gives his acceptance speech during the 2011 Poker Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Greenstein is a three-time WSOP bracelet winner with over $7.7 million in lifetime tournament earnings. He is also considered to be one of the top cash game players. Known as "The Robin Hood of Poker", Greenstein has donated over $3 million during his career, most of it to children's charities.
Jonathan Boncek - Pokernews
THE CLASS OF 2011
Two of the newest inductees into the Poker Hall of Fame, Barry Greenstein and Linda Johnson, pose for photos shortly after their induction ceremony.
Jonathan Boncek - Pokernews
LAMB CHOPS IT UP WITH HIS CREW
Ben Lamb shares a few words with some of his supporters.
Jonathan Boncek - Pokernews
NOVEMBER NINER: PIUS HEINZ
Pius Heinz of Germany started the day third lowest in chips but played his way to a dominant chip lead, which he held for much of the day.
Jonathan Boncek - Pokernews
THERE'S ALWAYS ONE
A bit of controversy away from the Final Table emerged when Allen Bari was ejected from the Penn and Teller Theater by Tournament Director Jack Effel. It is alleged that Bari's ejection was due to disruptive behavior, however the WSOP bracelet champion quickly took to Twitter to proclaim his innocence.