Sebastian Ruthenberg Edges Chris Ferguson in Event #33

One of the most talked about events this week at the 2008 World Series of Poker was the World Championship of Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (Event 33). The $5,000 buy-in tournament attracted 261 of the most talented poker players on the planet. If you don’t believe me, look at some of the names at the final table: five-time WSOP bracelet winner Chris “Jesus” Ferguson , Marcel Luske, and bracelet winner Annie Duke . In the end, it wasn’t a high-powered name that took home a bracelet, however. Sebastian Ruthenberg, in his second WSOP cash ever, took home the $328,756 first place prize. His only other cash came in a 68th place finish in Event #31.

Ruthenberg put up quite a fight against Ferguson heads up. The Full Tilt Poker pro was actually ahead 2:1 in chips entering heads up play until Ruthenberg battled back in a roller coaster ride two-handed. If you’re not familiar with Ferguson, you should be. He’s the proud owner of five World Series of Poker bracelets, winning his first two in 2000, including the title of Main Event Champion. In the first five WSOP tournaments that he cashed in, he made the final table. Thursday night marked his fourth cash this year. He also took home third in Event #2, cashing for nearly $400,000. His lifetime WSOP and Circuit Event earnings top $5 million.

Luske has been successful across the world. He finished fourth in Event #33, which was good for $95,069. He finished third in Event #22 for $110,264, meaning he’s had a productive 2008 WSOP. His largest cash came in the 2004 Main Event, when he pocketed $373,000 (2004 was the year that Greg Raymer defeated David Williams to become the second consecutive amateur to win the $10,000 buy-in tournament). Luske took seventh in the European Poker Tour Monte Carlo Grand Final in Season II for $134,902.

Duke recorded her first bracelet during an Omaha High-Low 8/OB tournament in 2004. She made her first WSOP cash in 1994 and continues to be regarded as one of the top female poker players on the circuit today. Event #33 marked her first cash of the 2008 World Series. Along with 11-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth , Duke is the face of Ultimate Bet . The site just brought on board Eric “Rizen” Lynch and Cliff “JohnnyBax” Josephy as Star Players.

Duke’s brother, Howard Lederer , finished ninth. The Full Tilt Poker pro holds two WSOP bracelets, which came in 2000 and 2001. Lederer took home $30,667, his third cash at the 2008 WSOP. David Benyamine took 10th. It seems like every time I write a tournament recap, he’s mentioned. Benyamine has made two final tables already in 2008. He’s a frequent guest on High Stakes Poker on GSN. Others who cashed included Chau Giang, Allen Cunningham , PokerStars pro Barry Greenstein, and Hasan Habib.