News / Editor / 09 June 2008 / Leave a comment

Event two at the World Series of Poker set a new benchmark for non-Main Events, when 3,929 players took to the felt to listen to those most famous of phrases 'Shuffle up and deal', writes Rob Eddy.

The huge number of entries for the No-Limit Hold'em tournament made it the largest event in the history of the WSOP, aside from Main Events, and the fourth largest tournament in the history of poker, with only Main Events from 2005, 2006 and 2007 attracting more players.

The field was also so big that the event had to be split into two separate starting days, before the players combined on day three.

The event in the process became the fourth longest tournament in the history of the WSOP (and longest preliminary), clocking in at a total duration of 53.5 hours.

So who came out on top? Well it turned out to be Grant Hinkle from Kansas City who etched his name into the history books with his first WSOP gold bracelet and a not-too-shabby $831,279 first prize.

It was a good performance from the 27-year-old, considering he had been short-stacked heading into the final table, but the poker gods were clearly smiling when play went heads-up against England's James Akenhead.

With a 2-1 chip lead, Hinkle (with a suited 10-4) tried to bluff his opponent off the pot only to be called by Akenhead, who must have been smiling after turning over A-K.

However, the joy would not have lasted long as the flop came down 10-4-10 to give the American a boat, which improved further on the turn when another 10 gave Hinkle quads.

Akenhead, from London-based poker team 'The Hitsquad', has at least $520,219 to lessen the pain, while Chris 'Jesus' Ferguson - moving up to fourth place on the all-time list with his 27th final-table appearance at the WSOP - came in third.