News

2006 World Series of Poker
Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino - Las Vegas

NEWS FLASH:

Pure Gold: Phil Hellmuth First Player in History to Reach "Fifty" Cashes at World Series of Poker

Las Vegas, NV -- June 30, 2006 -- Phil Hellmuth, Jr. is the greatest poker player in the world. And if you don't believe it, just ask him. Hellmuth reached a new milestone today when he became the first player in World Series of Poker history to reach "50" in-the-money finishes. With his 67th-place finish in an colossal field of 2,776 entries in the $1,500 buy-in no-limit hold'em event, Hellmuth eclipsed two longtime poker rivals - Berry Johnston and Men "the Master" Nguyen, each currently with "49" cashes.

Phil Hellmuth has clearly become an icon in a game full of icons. The 1989 World Series of Poker Champion has won a total of nine gold bracelets in his illustrious 17-year poker career. Incredibly, all of his WSOP wins are in the game of hold'em - the most of any player. Through Event #3 at the WSOP, rankings are as follows:

MOST WSOP CASHES (LIFETIME)

Phil Hellmuth, Jr. - 50
Berry Johnston - 49
Men "the Master" Nguyen - 49
T.J. Cloutier - 47
Chris "Jesus" Ferguson - 43
Erik Seidel - 40
Brent Carter - 40
An Tran - 39
Mike Sexton - 38
Ken "Skyhawk" Flaton - 38

by WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla and WSOP Statistician Rory Shanahan

Note: All content in this report may be re-printed by media.

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For official news and latest updates from the 2006 World Series of Poker, please visit: www.worldseriesofpoker.com

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For additions news and information from the 2006 WSOP, please contact: nolandalla@aol.com

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World Series of Poker Commissioner - Jeffrey Pollack

Director of Sports and Entertainment Marketing (Licensing) -- Ty Stewart

Director of Sports and Entertainment Marketing (Communications) - Gary Thompson

Vice President of Specialty Gaming -- Howard Greenbaum

WSOP Tournament Director - Robert Daily

WSOP Tournament Director / Director of Poker Operations for Harrah's Entertainment - Jack Effel