WPT Championship Day 3 – Phil Hellmuth Keeps it Going

The World Poker Tour must love where this is headed.  With only 54 players remaining out of the original 639, ten-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, Phil Hellmuth stands atop the leaderboard at the WPT Championship.  While he has appeared at a WPT final table in the past, Hellmuth has never captured a title.  This week would be quite the time to accomplish the feat, as this tournament is the richest in WPT history, with a first prize just shy of $4 million. 

In addition to Hellmuth, six other players are over the 1 million chip mark, including Day 2 chip leader, Roland de Wolfe, and frequent final tablist, Juan Carlos Mortensen.  Of special note is Kirk Morrison, who tied a WPT record with his fourth consecutive cash. 

Speaking of cashes, yesterday we figured it was uncertain whether or not the tournament would get down to the final 100 players, putting those remaining in the money.  Well, it turns out that the bubble was obliterated, as 46 players left the Bellagio with a check.  Michael Mizrachi was the poor bubble boy, eliminated in 101^st place after getting his 9-9 cracked by Loi Phan’s 6-4 suited.   

The tournament field will be whittled down to three tables Wednesday, with play re-commencing at the Bellagio at noon PDT. 

Day 3 Chip Leaders 

1. Phil Hellmuth Jr. -- 1,827,000
2. Raymond Davis -- 1,704,000
3. Loi Phan -- 1,419,000
4. Kirk Morrison -- 1,327,000
5. Roland de Wolfe -- 1,287,000
6. Thomas Wahlroos -- 1,189,000
7. Can Kim Hua -- 1,041,000
8. Juan Carlos Mortensen -- 939,000
9. Mike Wattel -- 935,000
10. Ian Johns -- 862,000

Originally published 12:11 PM Wednesday, April 25, 2007