This tournament is over! After getting lucky on the river to double up and cripple Benyamine (details below), Watson once again got a little help from the deck to seal the deal. On the final hand Benyamine got all-in with K 9 against Watson’s Q 9.

The flop was a dream for Watson, coming A Q 6 and nailing his queen. The turn was the 9 and the river the 7.

David Benyamine takes $840,295 for second, while Mike Watson takes $1,673,770 and the Bellagio Cup title!

ZOMG! The River Saves Watson

After a long period of grinding we just saw a massive pre-flop all-in. It started out as a coin flip but in the end it came down to the river. A flurry of betting and raising left Watson all-in with his tournament hopes pinned on A K. David Benyamine had a very slight edge with Q Q.

The flop came down T 9 2 and the turn was the 5. Watson was looking for an ace or a king and he got his wish when the A hit the river. Watson doubles up and Benyamine is crippled.

Heads-up play is in full swing but, so far at least, these two players are taking it slow. The stacks are relatively deep so things might take some time to really get going. As the match got under way Mike Watson and David Benyamine were talking about how even though they've never played live together, they have a lot of experience battling online.

Pot for SirWatts

David Benyamine limped on the button and Mike Watson checked in the big blind. The flop came down 9 5 4 and both players checked. The turn was the 5 and Watson fired our $260,000. Benyamine made the call and the river was the Q.

Both players checked and Watson showed a four, which was enough to earn him the pot.

Benyamine Takes One

Mike Watson is on the button and opens to $400,000. Benyamine makes the call in the big blind, and the flop comes down K J 4. Both players check and the turn is the J. Benyamine leads out for $450,000 and gets a call from Watson.

The river comes the 2 and Benyamine bets out $1.25 million. Watson folds and Benyamine rakes the pot.

Heads-Up Counts

Here are the new counts for our final two players.

David Benyamine	$11,890,000
Mike Watson	$8,230,000

 

We're down to the final two here at Bellagio with the elimination of Luke Staudenmaier in third place. It was Mike Watson who did the dirty work, which means he's got enough ammo to mount a serious offensive against David Benyamine.

Heads-Up Counts

Here are the new counts for our final two players.

David Benyamine	$11.7 million
Mike Watson	$8.42 million

Staudenmaier Crippled, then Eliminated (Third)

Luke Staudenmaier has been eliminated. He took a crippling blow at the hands of Mike Watson and was sent to the rail just two hands later.

The Crippler

David Benyamine folded his button and Mike Watson opened to $480,000 from the small blind. Staudenmaier moved all-in from the big blind and got a snap-call from Watson. A Q for Watson was in great shape against Staudenmaier’s A T.

The board ran K J 9 7 7 and Watson takes the vast majority of Staudenmaier’s stack.

The Death Blow

Two hands after his crippling Staudanmaier open-shoved for his last $430,000 from the button. Benyamine called in the small blind, as did Watson in the big. The flop came down Q 5 3 and Benyamine checked. Watson bet out and Benyamine immediately folded Q 4 face up.

Sure enough, it was the right fold, as Watson tabled Q 8. Staudenmaier was in serious trouble with K 4 and would need help to stay alive. The turn and river came 5 6 and just like that we’re down to two.

Luke “IWearGoggles” Staudenmaier takes $452,465 for his third-place finish.

Although the action is still slow, we are seeing signs of life from these three players. The size of the blinds is starting to have an effect, and it won't be long before they're jacked up once again. Read on for hands of note and the updated counts.

Big Benyamine

Since we’ve gone three-handed David Benyamine has extended his lead. The biggest hand of the last 30 minutes started with Luke Staudenmaier limping from the small blind and Benyamine checking in the big blind. The flop came down 8 8 3 and both players checked.

The turn was the 4 and after Staudenmaier checked Benyamine bet $300,000. The call was made and the 9 hit the river. Staudenmaier checked one last time and Benyamine fired out $900,000. Staudenmaier made the call and Benyamine showed 8-6 for flopped trips.

One for Staudenmaier

Luke Staudenmaier was on the button and took the opportunity to come in with a raise to $450,000. Mike Watson made the call from the big blind and the flop came down T 6 4. Watson checked it and Staudenmaier fired $725,000. Watson mucked his hand and Staudenmaier raked in the chips.

A Trio of Counts

Here are the brand-new counts for our final three.

David Benyamine	$10.2 million
Mike Watson	$5,205,000
Luke Staudenmaier	$4.6 million

 

It seems our final three players have put on the brakes after mixing it up like crazy in the first period of three-handed play. Very few hands are making it past a pre-flop raise and even fewer are seeing a showdown.

All three players have been doing their fair share of pot-stealing and there hasn’t been much change in the chip counts. On the bright side, the blinds have been pumped up to $80,000/$160,000, which should serve to stimulate some action.

For a full rundown of everyone who cashed in this event head over to the results, and to see the photos we’ve got of our final table, click through to the photo page. You can find both in the tabs at the top of these updates.

Counts and More Counts (Well, Actually Just Three Counts)

David Benyamine	$9,885,000
Luke Staudenmaier	$5,070,000
Mike Watson	$5,025,000

These three players are wasting no time getting into it now that we're short-handed. We've seen a ton of action in the last 30 minutes so read on for the choicest of cuts.

Staudenmaier Gets Lucky

We were just within inches of going heads-up but, luckily for Luke Staudenmaier, the deck had different ideas. Staudenmaier got the rest of his stack, about $3,480,000, into the middle before the flop against Mike Watson.

It was a race between Watson's Q Q and Staudenmaier's A K, but things changed drastically with the Q J 2 flop. Staudenmaier was looking for a ten and got exactly that with the T on the turn.

Watson needed to redraw to the full house to get the check mark but the 6 on the turn didn't do it.

Benyamine Doubles

David Benyamine has just doubled up through former chip leader Luke Staudenmaier, effectively switching the two’s positions in the chip counts. It started with Benyamine opening to $360,000 from the button and Staudenmaier moving all-in from the big blind.

Benyamine made the call, putting his remaining $4,110,000 at risk along with his tournament life. A J for Benyamine was in great shape against Staudenmaier’s A T going to the flop. The board ran 6 4 3 Q 7 and Benyamine’s A-J remains the best hand.

Pressure from Benyamine

On the very next hand after doubling up Benyamine put his newfound chips to work. Luke Staudenmaier opened to $360,000 from the small blind and Benyamine immediately announced all-in. Staudenmaier spent some time in the tank before ditching his hand.

SirWatts

One for Watson

Luke Staudenmaier folded on the button and David Benyamine put in a raise to $360,000 from the small blind. Mike Watson calls in the big blind and the flop comes down K J 8. They both check that as well as the 7 on the turn.

The 5 hits the river and Benyamine checks one final time. Watson pushes out $420,000 and Benyamine makes the call. Watson shows 6 4 for the rivered inside straight and Benyamine mucks.

New Counts

Here are the new counts for our final three players.

David Benyamine	$8,070,000
Luke Staudenmaier	$7,035,000
Mike Watson	$4,875,000

We're down to the final three at this final table with the elimination of Ralph Perry in fourth place. We just came back from a short break and PL.com has a little exclusive information. Our three final players were all talking outside during the break and when the WPT representative came out to tell them they were starting, they said, "So deal three orbits and we'll be back."

We're not saying they're making a deal. We're sure they were out there congratulating each other on their accomplishment.

Read on for the details on Perry's exit and the updated counts.

Perry Ellis’d (Fourth)

It looks like Ralph Perry’s luck has run out. He caught a miracle to stay alive against John Phan but we just watched as he got all-in bad against Mike Watson. It started with action folding to Watson in the small blind. He put in a raise to $360,000.

Perry was in the big blind and moved all-in over the top for $2,160,000. Watson didn’t take long to make the call, turning over A Q as he did. Perry tabled K J and would need some help to stay alive. The flop came down 5 4 2 and Perry was still looking for help.

The turn was the 9 and the river the A, making Watson top pair and sending Perry on his way. He’s $290,900 richer for this event.

Table for Three

Luke Staudenmaier	$8,905,000
Mike Watson	$7,115,000
David Benyamine	$3,960,000

 

This final table is heating up! The blinds are up to $60,000/$120,000 with a $15,000 ante, which seems to have kick-started our remaining players. We just watched as fan and media favorite John Phan got badly unlucky to go broke.

Read on for the details on that as well as the updated counts.

So Sick! Razor Out in Fifth!

John “Razor” Phan has been eliminated and it took a whole lot of bad luck for it to happen. Phan was crippled when he doubled up Ralph Perry, details below, and then watched as David Benyamine went runner-runner to knock him out of this event.

Phan open-shoved on his final hand and got a call from Benyamine. A 9 for Phan was in great shape against Benyamine’s A 6. The flop came K J 7, which seemed benign enough for the all-in Phan. The turn was the Q and things got interesting.

Benyamine could win the pot with any spade or six and chop with any ten or paint card. Phan was shaking his head as the dealer turned over the 3 on the river, making Benyamine’s flush and sending Phan out the door in fifth place.

John Phan takes $193,915.

Perry Gets Lucky

Ralph Perry just got extremely lucky to double up a few moments ago. He open-shoved for about $1.1 million and it folded to John Phan, who waited a few beats before making the call. When the cards were on their backs we saw Phan was in a great spot. Perry, on the other hand, was holding on by a thread.

Phan: A T

Perry: A 9

Phan was on his feet as the flop came down A J 9, giving Perry aces-up and a huge lead in the hand. Phan needed a ten or some running cards but the turn brought the 9. Phan was drawing to the remaining ace for the chop but the turn was the J.

Perry doubles to over $2 million and Phan is crippled.

Kings for Benyamine

Ralph Perry opens to $250,000 and David Benyamine re-pops to $650,000 total. Perry makes the call and the flop comes down A 6 3. Benyamine goes way into the tank before finally betting $1,375,000. Perry doesn’t take long to dump his hand and give up the pot.

Leaderboard

Here's a look at the new counts for our final four.

Luke Staudenmaier	$7,175,000
Mike Watson	$5,475,000
David Benyamine	$4,955,000
Ralph Perry	$2,500,000

 

The pace of play is still somewhat slow as the remaining five players continue to ease into this final table. Blinds are still $50,000/$100,000 with a $10,000 ante.

Read on for the hands of note and the updated counts.

Phan with the Monster

John Phan just took down a large pot with his usual aggressive style, although in this instance things went a little differently than usual. It started with action folding to Phan in the small blind. He raised it up to $275,000 and David Benyamine called from the big blind.

The flop came down Q T 6 and Phan led out for $300,000. Benyamine made the call and the turn was the K. Phan reached for chips again and pushed $485,000 across the line. Benyamine gave it some thought before making the call.

The river was the 3 and both players slowly checked. Phan turned up 6 2 for nothing but a pair of sixes. Apparently it was enough, as Benyamine shook his head and tossed his cards in the muck.

More Chips for Chip Leader

Mike “SirWatts” Watson is sitting atop the chip counts at the moment and just added a few more chips to his castle. He got the action started with an opening raise to $275,000 and got a call from Luke Staudenmaier in the small blind.

The flop came down Q 3 3 and Staudenmaier checked. Watson smoothly pushed out $400,000, which was enough to force his opponent out of the hand and earn him the pot.

IWinChips

Luke “IWearGoggles” Staudenmaier just picked up a few chips in a three-way pot with Mike Watson and David Benyamine. It started with Watson opening to $275,000 from under the gun and getting calls from Staudenmaier on the button and Benyamine in the big blind.

The flop rolled out A K 8 and everyone checked. The turn was the T and Watson and Benyamine both checked. Staudenmaier fired out $525,000 and both other players folded.

Leaderboard

Here's a look at the new counts for our final five.

Mike Watson	$5,080,000
John Phan	$4,965,000
Luke Staudenmaier	$4,325,000
David Benyamine	$3,680,000
Ralph Perry	$2,055,000

 

This past half-hour has seen very little action. We took a break for about 15 minutes to give players a chance to stretch their legs and cameramen a chance to switch their tapes. Here's one small hand plus the updated counts.

Battle of the Blinds, Benyamine Style

Action folds to John Phan in the small blind and he makes up the extra $50,000. David Benyamine checks his option in the big blind and the flop comes down A Q 4. Phan quickly fires out $100,000 and Benyamine makes the call.

The turn is the 4 and Phan checks it. Benyamine cuts out $225,000 and pushes it into the middle. Phan thinks for a few moments before releasing his hand.

Razor Running Hot

It's safe to say John "Razor" Phan is running well. He took down two WSOP bracelets in the last month and he's got another shot at glory here tonight. Phan is somewhat of an anomaly in the poker world in that a lot of his winnings go to charity. He supports his extended family as well as a great many other people back in Vietnam.

New Counts

Here are the updated counts for our final five.

Mike Watson	$5.4 million
David Benyamine	$4,460,000
Luke Staudenmaier	$4,245,000
John Phan	$3,625,000
Ralph Perry	$2,375,000

 

 

We have our first elimination and it is Gabe Thaler out in sixth. Read on for the details on that bust, a few hands of note and the new counts for our final five players.

France Takes One

David Benyamine, high-stakes super-gambler and all-around French person, just took a pot from Mike “SirWatts” Watson. It started with Benyamine opening the pot and Watson calling from the big blind. The flop came down K 9 2 and Watson checked.

Benyamine fired out $330,000 and after some thought Watson made the call. The turn was the T, and both players checked. The river was the 9 and they checked again. Watson showed an ace for ace-high but Benyamine showed a king for two pair, kings and nines.

We couldn’t see their other cards. Our apologies.

Perry with the All-In

Russia's Ralph Perry has found himself on the short stack but just picked up a nice pot with an all-in move. John Phan opened the pot to $300,000 and Perry moved all-in for another $1,050,000. Phan thought for a long time before dumping his hand and conceding the pot.

New Counts

Here's a look at the new five-handed counts.

Mike Watson	$5,940,000
John Phan	$4,175,000
Luke Staudenmaier	$4,445,000
David Benyamine	$3,910,000
Ralph Perry	$1,625,0

Thaler Thwarted (Sixth)

We reported in the last update that Gabe Thaler had wasted no time putting himself at risk at this final table. Up until a moment ago he had been successful. He got his money in basically coin-flipping but would be unable to show down the best hand when all the cards were out.

It started with Mike Watson opening the pot and Thaler flat-calling from the big blind. The flop came down 7 5 4 and Thaler checked. Watson fired out $320,000 and Thaler check-raised all-in for around $1.8 million.

Watson thought things over before making the call and tabling A J. Thaler had the made hand with pocket tens but it was pretty much a race. The turn was the 3 but the river was the 8, putting three hearts on board and nailing Watson’s flush.

Gabe Thaler’s out in sixth and will take $129,275.

We're about 15 hands into this final table and we haven't lost anyone yet. Due to the media restrictions placed on us by the WPT we'll be posting updates every half an hour, starting now.

Read on for the scoop on the last 30 minutes plus the new chip counts.

Thaler Active

Gabe Thaler came into this final table as the short stack, but he's wasted no time putting those chips to use. He's moved all-in twice so far, picking up the blinds and antes each time, and is now on a little more than $2 million.

First Pot to Staudenmaier

The first hand at this televised final table is done and it’s Luke “IWearGoggles” Staudenmaier raking in the chips. It began with an opening raise to $230,000 from David Benyamine and a call from Luke in the big blind.

The flop came down K 4 2 and Staudenmaier checked it. Benyaming c-bet $280,000, which was called. Both players checked the T on the turn, and the 3 hit the river. Staudenmaier fired $675,000, which Benyamine paid off.

Luke tabled K-J for top pair and raked the healthy pot.

WPT Is on Television!

To get things started this evening WPT bigwig Steve Lipscomb announced that the World Poker Tour will be airing this season in the United States after all! For the last few months the WPT has been without a TV deal.

Lipscomb announced that an agreement had been forged with Fox Sports, one that has apparently been a long time in the works. We were all wondering how the WPT would make ends meet without a deal already in place, but that speculation is a thing of the past.

A Chip Count's Worth a Thousand Words

Here's a look at the new counts for our final six.

Mike Watson	$4,930,000
Luke Staudenmaier	$4,650,000
John Phan	$3,875,000
David Benyamine	$3,095,000
Gabe Thaler	$2,020,000
Ralph Perry	$1,525,000

 

PL.com is back on the scene here at Bellagio for the final table of the fourth annual Bellagio Cup! We've got a great final table setup, so sit back, relax and prepare for the madness to come. Through the magic of live updates you'll feel these players' sorrow, and their victory, as if you were in their bodies with them.

Cards will be in the air momentarily but for now check out the start-of-day chip counts.

Seat 1	Ralph Perry	$1,635,000
Seat 2	Luke Staudenmeier	$3,495,000
Seat 3	John Phan	$3,495,000
Seat 4	David Benyamine	$4,860,000
Seat 5	Gabe Thaler	$1,550,000
Seat 6	Mike Watson	$5,060,000