Phil Hellmuth Wins WSOP Bracelet #12

The wait is over for poker pro Phil Hellmuth. He won his 12th World Series of Poker bracelet by taking first place in the $2,500 Razz event at this year’s World Series of Poker. Hellmuth had to beat a field of 308 players to win the first prize of $182,793 and the bracelet.

The field in the Razz event was a good one and Hellmuth had quite a heads-up battle with Don Zewin to win the title. "I can honestly say that this is the first tournament in my life that I have no idea what the prize money is," Hellmuth said, "It's all about the bracelet."

Hellmuth nearly won his 12th bracelet last year in the 2011 World Series of Poker but finished second three times. This time he would not be denied in the Razz event. When play got down to the final two players, Hellmuth had a 5-1 chip lead. Zewin would not go easily though as he actually got back into the match and nearly even in chips before Hellmuth regained control. The heads-up battle lasted more than two hours before Hellmuth won the title. “I've been waiting for this since '07," said Hellmuth. "I'll have to break out some new hats that say 12 on the side."

Hellmuth is the all-time leader in WSOP bracelets with 12. Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan are second with 10 each. Hellmuth also is the all-time leader in World Series of Poker cashes with 89.