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World Series of Poker Day 26 Recap

Jun 25 2008 08:01 AM EST

John Phan made big news on Day 26 at the World Series of Poker after becoming the first double bracelet winner of 2008. The 33-year-old won a second bracelet in Event #40 on Tuesday, less than a week after winning Event #29 to bag his first bracelet. The final table of Event #41 also played on Day 26 and Frank Gary was the big winner after overcoming a huge chip deficit against Nick Binger. The Seniors No Limit Hold 'em World Championship continued on Day 26 to play down to the final table, which took more than 14 hours. The Rio's Amazon Room also got a bit of a makeover on Day 26 as some of the tables were spread out in preparation for one of the most anticipated events of 2008, Wednesday's $50,000 H.O.R.S.E..

Here's a rundown of the day's news.

Event #43 - $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Low Eight-or-better

The only event to start on Day 26 was the $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha Eight-or-better. The tournament began with 720 players and the breakneck action saw only 69 survive Day 1. Notable players still remaining include Shannon Shorr, Erik Seidel, Berry Johnston, Joe Hachem, Chris Ferguson and Chip Jett. Larry Wright is the chip leader going into Wednesday's Day 2, when play will continue until the final table is decided. All players are already in the money and the top prize is $216,249.

Event #43 Chip Counts and Live Updates.

Event #42 - Seniors $1,000 No Limit Hold 'em World Championship

The Seniors No Limit Hold 'em World Championship played down to the final table on Day 26, a process that lasted until 4:30 on Wednesday morning. In the end it was Dale Eberle and Daniel Lacourse rising to the top of the leaderboard. They will bring the chip leads into Wednesday's final table, which will also feature WSOP bracelet winner Fred Berger and English poker pro "Mad" Marty Wilson.

Event #42 Chip Counts and Live Updates. Watch the final table live on ESPN360.com.

Event #41 - $1,500 Mixed Hold 'em

The final table of Event #41 was played out at the Milwaukees Best Light stage on Day 26. Frank Gary, a 42-year-old former software engineer, was the last man standing, collecting $219,217 and his first WSOP bracelet. Nick Binger, brother of 2006 Main Event 3rd place finisher Michael Binger, opened up an absurdly massive chip lead in the early stages of the final table, at one point holding more chips than every other player combined during five-handed play. Binger came crashing down and was eliminated in third place, leaving Jonathan Tamayo and Frank Gary to play heads-up for the bracelet. The match lasted for two hours and Gary came out on top, claiming the gold bracelet and the cash.

For a full recap of the final table of Event #41, check out Travellin' Man Scoops Bracelet.

Event #40 - $2,500 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball

John Phan won his second WSOP bracelet of 2008, making him the first double bracelet winner of the year and continuing the nine year trend of double bracelet winners. Phan beat a final table that included Robert Mizrachi and David Sklansky to collect his second bracelet and $151,896, bringing his 2008 WSOP earnings to more than $600,000.

For more Phan's historic win read PHAN-demonium Strikes Again.

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