Michael Craig Defeats Phil Hellmuth in Epic Poker´s Charity Event

Phil Hellmuth has developed a reputation for coming second this year. John Juanda, Eric Rodawig and Brian Rast each denied him a twelfth WSOP bracelet in Las Vegas during the summer, and now Michael Craig has bested him in the Epic Poker League´s Charity Event in aid of Fallen Heroes USA.

This time however, Phil had a much better time – tweeting that he and his co-players were sitting around drinking scotch and helping to raise $25,000 for the charity which supports the families of police officers killed in the line of duty in America.

A Good Field Supports A Good Cause

45 players entered the charity tournament, which took place after the close of the Pro/Am qualifier into the Epic Poker League´s Main Event.

Among those playing for future Pro/Am entries and gifts donated by Las Vegas businesses were inaugural Epic Poker League charity event champion Andy Frankenberger, Erik Seidel, Huck Seed, Nam Le, Greg Mueller (Hellmuth, Le and Mueller coming fresh from qualifying for the Main Event in the pro/Am), Rep Porter, Fabrice Soulier, Mike Matusow and Andy Bloch.

An Epic School of Fish

Between them, the 45 players managed to accumulate an additional 138 re-buys and 30 add-ons – with poker pro Randy Dorfman throwing in an additional $3,700 to top the total up to a round $25,000 – in less time than it takes to complete a regular single table Sit ´n´ Go.

Ultimately the winner was Epic Poker´s Editor-in-Chief, Michael Craig, who called Phil Hellmuth´s “desperate” shove (Phil was holding 450K chips against Michael´s 500K) with 10♥ 6♠ and caught the 10♦ on the flop to pair up.

Places and Prizes

1st – Michael Craig – $1,500 Pro/Am seat & Champion’s bracelet
2nd – Phil Hellmuth – $1,500 Pro/Am seat
3rd – Brian Castillo – $1,500 Pro/Am seat
4th – Rep Porter – Palms Casino Resort Weekend Getaway
5th – Stacey Nutini – 2 tickets to any Cirque du Soleil show
6th – Jeff Blenkarn – Lord Griffon Jewellery Piece
7th – Nam Le – Skull Candy headphones
8th – Jim Agale – 4 VIP tickets to Brad Garrett Comedy Club
9th – James Key – An Airbedz mattress and car detailing at Executive Auto Grooming