Event #10: No-Limit Hold'em Main Event

With Steve Firestone's elimination, Shahin Edalatdju wins the Harrah's Rincon Main Event!

Edalatdju and Firestone engaged in a tense heads-up battle that lasted almost five hours. It was a back-and-forth struggle, with each player holding a commanding chip lead, only to see his opponent mount an impressive comeback, but in the end Edalatdju was the only player left standing.

Play began at noon on Monday with the final nine. The first bustout occurred after just a few hands, as Sean Burson lost a coin flip for his tournament life. He became the ninth-place finisher. Eliminations proceeded steadily for the next several hours. When Erle Mankin busted in third place at about 8:00 PM, Edalatdju and Firestone started heads-up play. At 12:45 AM, Edalatdju collected all the chips, earning his first WSOP Circuit ring, an entry into the National Championship at Caesars Atlantic City in the spring, and $116,325.

Steve Firestone raises to 480,000 from the button, and Shahin Edalatdju calls. The flop comes    , and both players check. The turn is the  , and Edalatdju leads out for 400,000. Firestone folds.

Edalatdju has now retaken the chip lead.

Shahin Edalatdju - 4,100,000 (26 BB)
Steve Firestone - 2,500,000 (16 BB)

Steve Firestone raises to 560,000 on the button, and Shahin Edalatdju goes into the tank. He counts out a call, but doesn't push it forward. After about two minutes, he folds, showing the  . Firestone then shows Edalatdju his cards, Ace-ten. Edalatdju says, "I was ahead."

Steve Firestone - 4,050,000 (34 BB)
Shahin Edalatdju - 2,550,000 (21 BB)

Shahin Edalatdju raises to 310,000 from the button, and Steve Firestone calls. The flop is    , and Firestone leads out for 350,000. Edalatdju thinks for a few moments, then releases his hand.

Steve Firestone - 5,000,000 (42 BB)
Shahin Edalatdju 1,600,000 (13 BB)

Steve Firestone limps from the button, and Shahin Edalatdju raises to 370,000 from the big blind. Firestone calls, and the flop comes   3s]. Edalatdju continues for 275,000, and Firestone raises to 600,000. Edalatdju thinks for a minute, then folds.

Steve Firestone - 4,300,000 (36 BB)
Shahin Edalatdju - 2,300,000 (19 BB)

Shahin Edalatdju raises to 320,000 from the button, and Steve Firestone moves all in for about 1,250,000. Edalatdju thinks for a minute, then calls and shows   . Firestone turns over the   . The flop comes    , giving Edalatdju an open-ended straight draw. The turn is the  , and the river is the  . Edalatdju misses all his outs, and Firestone wins the pot with his ace.

Steve Firestone - 2,850,000 (24 BB)
Shihan Edalatdju - 3,950,000 (33 BB)

Steve Firestone raises to 360,000 from the button, and Shahin Edalatdju calls from the big blind. The flop comes    , and Edalatdju leads out for 375,000. Firestone folds, leaving himself with only 8 big blinds, and Edalatdju takes the pot.

Shahin Edalatdju - 5,600,000 (47 BB)
Steve Firestone - 1,000,000 (8 BB)

Level 31 is over and the players are on a short break.

Shahin Edalatdju raises to 300,000 from the button, and Steve Firestone calls from the big blind. The flop falls    , and both players check. The turn is the  , and Firestone leads out for 300,000. Edalatdju raises to 600,000, and Firestone calls. The river is the  . Firestone checks, and Edalatdju bets 550,000. Firestone folds and shows   . Edalatdju reciprocates, showing    for a set.

Steve Firestone limps from the button, and Shahin Edalatdju checks his option. The flop is    , and both players check. Edalatdju bets 250,000 on the turn when the   hits the board, and Firestone calls. Edalatdju bets 250,000 again on the   river. Firestone wonders aloud, "Do you have a straight or two pair?" Then he tosses out a call. Edalatdju shows    for two pair. As he collects the chips, he tells Firestone, "You were right. Good read."

Shahin Edalatdju - 5,500,000 (55 BB)
Steve Firestone - 1,100,000 (11 BB)