David Baker Steals Stars’ Glory in WSOP Event #32

David ‘Bakes’ Baker beat the twin titans of Phil Ivey and Phil Hellmuth to take down event #32 at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas.

In what was a fantastic end to the $10,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. Poker tournament, Michigan’s Baker was crowned the champion by defeating John Monnette, of California, heads-up for the gold bracelet and $451,779 – with Hellmuth missing out a 13th crown when exiting in fourth for $134,056, not long after eight-time WSOP winner Ivey had been eliminated in fifth for $99,739.

Only 15 players returned for Day 3 in the Amazon Room of the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, with Vegas-based Ralph Perry the first exit in 15th place for $19,542 from very first hand of the day. Georgia’s David Bach was next to leave in 14th place for $23,525, while two more big-name Vegas pros in John Hennigan (13th for $23,525) and Scott Clements (12th for $28,862) also missed out on the final table.

Mori Eskandani Misses Official Final Table

Yet another Vegas pro, Mori Eskandani, made the ‘unofficial’ final table, but hit the rail in ninth place for $35,923, while the first to exit when play became eight-handed – during a round of Stud Eight-or-Better – was Maryland’s Dan Kelly (USA) for $45,360.

Florida duo Abe Mosseri (sixth for $75,511) and Matt Waxman (seventh for $58,093) were the next two players to exit, leaving the final table five-handed.

Ivey and Hellmuth were then eliminated in fifth and fourth respectively, with the former losing out to Monnette during a hand of Razz to pick up $99,739 and the latter cashing for $134,056 when also losing out to the start-of-day chip leader while playing Omaha Eight-or-Better.

John Monnette On A Roll

Monnette was on a charge now and scored a third successive elimination when sending Toronto’s Paul Sokoloff to the rail in third spot for $183,784. The Toronto pro was all-in during a hand of Hold’em but saw his A♦ 9♣ outdrawn by the 7♣ 6♠ of Monnette.

It took 90 minutes for the champion to be crowned during a hand of Stud, with the victory really being secured on the previous hand. With Baker starting off with (x)(x)/5♣ Q♣ J♥ 9♥/(x) and Monnette holding (x)(x)/2♥ Q♦ J♣ A♥/(x), the latter bought in and the former completed.

Monnette called and Baker led out on fourth and fifth street, with Monnette calling both bets. Monnette had a better board after sixth, so check-called bets on sixth and seventh streets. Baker showed J♠ 9♠ 7♥ for nines and jacks, prompting Monnette to muck his hand as his stack hit a lowly 150,000 chips.

Trip Sevens Hands Baker The Title

All the chips were in the middle on the next hand, with Baker holding 7♣ (7♠ 4♠) and Monnette revealing 6♠ (J♠ 8♦). Baker’s up-cards were 6♣ 10♠ K♠, while Monnette had 9♣ A♥ K♣. Baker then flipped over the 7♥ on seventh street for trips to ensure he was crowned champion.

Monnette – who left with $279,206 as runner-up – has now finished in first, second and third in events at this year’s series, ensuring he now tops the WSOP Player of the Year leaderboard on 524.25 points.

However, Ivey is not far behind in second place on 494.70, while Andrew Frankenberger fills third on 384.66 and Hellmuth climbs five places into fourth on Phil Hellmuth on 368.70. Baker’s win also boosts his chances of the claiming the title as he now sits in sixth place on 292.50 points.

WSOP 2012 Event #32 Top 10 Payouts

1. David ‘Bakes’ Baker (USA) – $451,779

2. John Monnette (USA) – $279,206

3. Paul Sokoloff (Canada) – $183,784

4. Phil Hellmuth (USA) – $134,056

5. Phil Ivey (USA) – $99,739

6. Abe Mosseri (USA) –  $75,511

7. Matt Waxman (USA) – $58,093

8. Dan Kelly (USA) – $45,360

9. Mori Eskandani (USA) – $35,923

10. Brandon Shack-Harris (USA) – $35,923