TD Bob Smith Announces the Action

Around 4:00 am, tournament director Bob Smith (standing, left) is announcing the action at the final table of Event #37 ($3,000 H.O.R.S.E.). Even with sunrise rapidly approaching, nobody in the area seemed too eager to leave to get some sleep.

Watching From the Rail

While the final table of Event #37 ($3,000 H.O.R.S.E.) was played out in front of Media Row, there were no stands for the fans, who patiently watched and waited. The overhead monitors above the table were only useful during the flop games (hold'em and Omaha), and the lack of an announcer meant information was scarce. Fortunately for fans, tournament director Bob Smith checked in during heads-up play and began announcing the action.

Bill Chen Scoops a Pot in Omaha Hi-Lo

In the Omaha Hi-Lo portion of Event #37 ($3,000 H.O.R.S.E.), Bill Chen (right) scoops the pot with two pair (eights and sixes) and a 6-5 low. Chen is still behind in the chip counts, but starting to mount a possible comeback.

Phil Ivey Takes the Chip Lead

Phil Ivey went on a rush to take the chip lead, and when the level ended, the Tournament Director asked the final two players if they'd like to take a break or keep playing. Ivey, who had the momentum, was willing to keep playing, while Bill Chen asked to take the break. At this point, Ivey had 3.3 million in chips (foreground stack) to Chen's 1.01 million -- almost exactly the reverse of their counts when heads-up play began.

Bill Chen's Nut Low Hand

At showdown in an Omaha Hi-Lo hand, Bill Chen shows down 5-4-3-2 for a nut low to win half the pot against Phil Ivey in Event #37 ($3,000 H.O.R.S.E.).

Bill Chen's Rail

While most of the rail was rooting for fan-favorite Phil Ivey, Bill Chen had some top pros in his corner, including Andy Bloch, Gavin Griffin, and Terrence Chan.

Phil Ivey Fears No Chip Lead

Phil Ivey started heads-up play in Event #37 ($3,000 H.O.R.S.E.) down more than 3-to-1 in the chip counts. But that didn't concern Ivey. He would later say, "I try to be very positive when I play. I rid myself of thoughts (of being behind) and just try to take it one hand at a time. I think that helps me out a lot, especially in these situations."

Bill Chen Takes the Lead Into Heads-Up Play

When heads-up play began, Bill Chen held a 3.2-to-1 chip lead over Phil Ivey. Chen had been sitting on the big stack for most of the final table, and there were no indications that he was going to give up the lead to Ivey.

The Crowd Builds as Phil Ivey is Heads-Up For a Bracelet

After the elimination of John Juanda, heads-up play begins between Phil Ivey (left) and Bill Chen in Event #37 ($3,000 H.O.R.S.E.). Ivey is one of the most popular players in the game, and even though this final table had no announcer and was tucked away in the far corner of an empty Amazon Room, the after-2:00 am crowd still found their way to pack the rail. Chen had a few friends on the rail, but it was clear that the large majority were rooting for Phil Ivey.

Phil Ivey is a Moving Target For John Juanda

John Juanda (standing) was all in on fifth street in Seven Card Stud against Phil Ivey (foreground, seated). Juanda had ace high and nothing but backdoor draws, while Ivey had two pair, eights and deuces. Surprisingly, Juanda caught up, making one pair on sixth street and another pair (aces up) on seventh. Unfortunately, Ivey caught a third deuce to win the pot with a full house, and Juanda was eliminated in third place. This is Juanda's fourth top-five finish of this WSOP, and makes him the points leader in the Player of the Year race.