Dennis Phillips Leads Final Four in WSOP Event #29

Just four players will return for the final day of the $1,000 buy-in Seniors No-Limit Hold’em event #29 of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas.

As has happened with a few earlier tournaments, three days have proved insufficient, with the quartet of Illinois’ Dennis Phillips (first on 5,335,000 chips), Robert Phelps (second on 3,475,000), of California, Alabama’s Hoyt Corkins (third on 1,960,000) and Vegas-based Allyn Jaffrey Shulman (fourth on 1,620,000) returning to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino’s Amazon Room for a fourth day today.

However, it shouldn’t have come as any great surprise that it will take a fourth day to decide the winner as this event attracted an incredible and record-breaking first-day entry field of 4,128.

That giant field also helped create a $3,715,200 prize pool with $603,713 going to the winner, while even Illinois’ Jerry Richard – in 422nd place – picked up $1,858.

Chip Leader Battles Back

Phillips might well hold a healthy chip advantage, but he had to battle hard to survive Day 3 – eventually picking up enough pots to move to the top of the leaderboard and in the perfect position to snap up his first gold bracelet.

Phelps, meanwhile, endeared himself to the gathered railbirds throughout the day, zooming up into second when eliminating Oregon’s Bill Stabler in fifth place for $147,605.

Third placed Corkins – who had spent much of Day 3 as one of the short stacks – chose his spots well, remained quiet throughout and will undoubtedly be ready for the challenge ahead, while Shulman – who eliminated Reno’s Stuart Spear is sixth place for $110,416 – appeared to double-up just when required to stay in contention.

Marcel Luske Cashes in 40th

Day 2 saw the money bubble burst within the first level of play as the 462 returning players were eventually whittled down to just 33. With 422 places paid, though, some big-name pros hit the rail early but with some money in their pockets.

Among those exiting in the money were Marcel Luske (40th for $11,851), Chris Bjorin (97th for $3,827), Humberto Brenes (244th for $2,415), Hal Lubarsky (416th for $1,858), and Toto Leonidas (326th for $2,118).

Day 1 also witnessed numerous knockouts, with the likes of 2011 champ James Hess, actor James Woods, Chad Brown, Eli Elezra and Sam Grizzle all making early exits.

WSOP 2012 Event #29 Final Four

1. Dennis Phillips (USA) – 5,335,000 (seat 1)

2. Robert Phelps (USA) – 3,475,000 (seat 7)

3. Hoyt Corkins (USA) – 1,960,000 (seat 5)

4. Allyn Jaffrey Shulman (USA) – 1,620,000 (seat 3)

WSOP 2012 Event #29 Places 5 to 10 Payouts

5. Bill Stabler (USA) – $147,605

6. Stuart Spear (USA) – $110,416

7. William Thomson (Canada) – $83,332

8. Martin Fitzmaurice (USA) – $63,418

9. Harold Lilie (USA) – $48,669

10. Carolyn Tulloch (Canada) – $37,672