2006 WSOP Event #9: $5,000 No Limit Hold'em

Nine-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth came into the 2006 WSOP on a mission. His mission is to tie Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson for first on the all-time bracelet list with ten WSOP victories. In Event #9 of this year's series, Hellmuth found himself heads-up with a two-to-one chip lead and bracelet number ten clearly in sight. However, an unknown amateur player named Jeff Cabanillas had a different outcome in mind for Hellmuth.

After a long heads-up battle, Cabanillas finished off Hellmuth and left the poker superstar befuddled about how he let this one get away. Cabanillas earned $818,000 for his win over the field of 622. Hellmuth's second place finish paid $423,000, a slap-in-the-face consolation prize for a man who would have given up all the prize money just to have his tenth bracelet.

Familiar face Marcel Luske put in a strong showing with a 4th place finish that paid $204,000. Female pro Isabelle Mercier had the biggest payday of her career; $175,000 for 5th place.

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