Another Big Payday In WSOP Event 49

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From low man in chips to winner - Billivara collects $722 914.

With a starting field of 3 151 hopefuls - another new WSOP non-main event record - generating a prize pool of $4 301 115, the World Series of Poker event 49 - the $1 500 No Limit Hold 'Em competition - attracted major crowds and plenty of media attention this week.

By the end of the first day's play only 218 survivors remained at the tables, an indication of how much fierce and competitive action took place across the large number of tables. That pace continued and within the first two rounds of day 2 another 88 players headed for the exit door, causing congestion problems at the cashier's grill.

Day 2 delivered the final table for the competition, which comprised Taylor Douglas holding the chip lead on 2 618 000, Leandro Pimentel on 1 134 000, John Hunt on 1 128 000, Greg 'FBT' Mueller (1 032 000), Duane Felix (996 000), John Hunt (833 000), Cort Kibler-Melby (694 000) Lewis Titterton (552 000) and Chandrasekhar Billavara (456 000).

Lewis Titterton was the first to hit the rail after clashing Leandro Pimentel, and this was followed by the surprise of the game when much-favoured Greg Mueller from Team Full Tilt was eliminated by Taylor Douglas, finishing disappointingly in eighth place.

Ray Spencer fell to Douglas as well, collecting a seventh placing. Cort Kibler-Melby followed, busted by John Hunt's pocket Nines and  just missing the start of the six figure payouts on $96 775 for finishing sixth. In fifth place, earning himself $131 184, Duane Felix was another Hunt victim.

Down to four players, the action remain fast and intense, seeing Leandro Pimentel go down next to some expert moves by Chandrasekhar Billavara. Leaving in fourth spot, Pimentel was rewarded for his time and effort with a payday of $189 249. He was followed by John Hunt in third place who also fell to Billavarra and departed with $292 476.

Heads up play between Taylor Douglas and Chandrasekhar Billavara to decide the champion was quick but exciting. Although he played well and initially held the chip lead, Douglas was overwhelmed by some clever and aggressive play by his opponent and it was Billavarra who put the WSOP gold on his wrist and collected the main prize of $722 914 - a remarkable achievement considering his low man position on the chip count when the final table convened.

Douglas had to be content with second place and a check for $467 101.

WSOP figures up to event 44 are showing a significant growth in the number of players that have so far registered and played in the various events. More than 38 000 players have so far sat down and faced each other at the tables, a substantially higher number than the 31 000 players who entered the first 44 events of last year's World Series of Poker tournaments.

WSOP spokesmen suggested a number of reasons for the increase. Although poker's biggest global event no longer accepts direct online satellite tournament winners, owner Harrah's has changed the payout structure to spread the green more evenly, enabling "more players to win more money." Registration and financial admin associated with the competition have also been streamlined and improved.