Event #18: $5,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw (Rebuy)

Mike Matusow is the champion of Event #18. This makes his third WSOP gold bracelet. "I want to thank all of my fans," said Matusow, as he was being interviewed by WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack. Matusow was clearly overwhelmed with emotion, though not quite to the point of tears. "I don't know much about this game," joked Matusow, "but I know no-limit. If I continue to play like I played this week, it's gonna be a real good World Series." That comment drew a rousing round of applause from all of the fans who stayed into the late hours of the night to watch Matusow's triumph. On the last hand before dinner, Matusow lost a huge chunk of his stack to Lisandro after betting a pair and getting called by Lisandro's ace-high. He came back from the dinner break with about ten big blinds in his stack. Just before play resumed after dinner, Matusow came over to our media table and started talking about the tournament. "It ain't over," he told us. He got that right.

Mike Matusow - 3,000,000 Jeffrey Lisandro - 580,000

The best players in the game aren't just seated at the table. Several well known pros are currently seated in the Milwaukee's Best No Limit Lounge Area. Those currently watching the action include Phil Hellmuth, Greg Mueller, Perry Friedman, Dario Minieri, Cyndy Violette, Jean-Robert Bellande, Shannon Elizabeth, Kenny Tran, and Johnny Chan. Not too long ago Phil Hellmuth, who is for some reason dressed like a five-star general, stood up to stretch his legs and Perry Friedman quipped, "Who called security?"

In the first hand to see a draw in awhile, Mike Matusow raised to 200,000 on the button and Lisandro made the call. Both players drew two cards. Lisandro was first to act and he checked. Matusow, the most focused he's been all night, counted out 250,000 and pushed it forward. Lisandro tossed his hand in and Matusow stacked the pot.

Just a moment ago between hands, one of Matusow's supporters shouted out, "Go Mikey!" Matusow peered in his general direction and began to sing, "Good things come...to those who wait."

Mike Matusow continues to hammer away at Jeff Lisandro. He open-shoved from the button, and Lisandro was forced to lay down his hand, flashing two aces before doing so.

Jeff Lisandro raised to 225,000 on the button, and Mike Matusow made the call. Each player took one card on the draw. Matusow then bet 200,000. It didn't take Lisandro long to make the call, but he was wrong to do so. Matusow showed J-8-6-5-4 and that was enough to win a big pot.

Jeff Lisandro raised to 200,000 on the button. Mike Matusow announced a reraise and pushed out half a million chips. Lisandro promptly tossed his hand in and Matusow picked up another 200,000 without a draw or showdown.

Mike Matusow can't lose. Jeff Lisandro raised the button to 175,000 and Matusow called. On the draw, Matusow took one card while Lisandro stood pat. Both players checked after the draw. Matusow slammed over a 10-7. Upon seeing it, Lisandro mucked. "I like this win-every-pot kind of thing," said Matusow. "I feel like durrr."

Mike Matusow raised the button to 150,000. Jeff Lisandro called. On the draw, each drew one card. Jeff Lisandro then bet 150,000 after the draw. Matusow thought for about ten seconds before making the call with a J-8. It was good. "Yeah baby!" shouted Matusow, leaping out of his chair again. He ran into the gallery, high-fiving people along the way. All of this excessive celebration has got to be irritating Lisandro.