Chufty Makes Second Final Table

Richard Ashby has gone two for two at the 2011 WSOP with his second final table in almost as many days.

Only last Thursday, the Black Belt Poker sponsored pro finished fourth in the $10,000 Omaha High-Low Championship. Last night, he improved on that performance with a third place finish in the $10,000 2-7 Draw Lowball Championship for $143,833, thus bringing his total winnings to an impressive $305,202.

With just 126 entrants, this was the lowest turnout of the Series so far, but it proved to be the most intriguing as we were treated to one of the most star-studded final tables in WSOP history with all but one of the finalists boasting a bracelet in their trophy cabinet.

Although Richard was vying for his second bracelet after winning last year's $1,500 Seven-Card Stud event, the big story was the presence of Phil Hellmuth who was on course for an unprecedented 12th bracelet, and his first in a Non-Hold'em event so far.

14 players made the money, including poker legend Johnny Chan, online titan Bertrand 'ElkY' Grospellier and 2004 Main Event Champion Greg Raymer. Once Joe Cassidy fell in eighth, we had our final table with Hellmuth leading the way with just over a million in chips.

Richard - who had commenced the day as chip leader - sat in second, and he would remain in this position until just three players remained. Down to 200,000, he moved all in from the small blind and was called by Hellmuth in the big. With Q-T-4-3 versus the 8-6-3-2 of Hellmuth, Richard needed some help, and although he drew a 6 for a queen-low, the Poker Brat revealed a T for a ten-low.

Despite a 3:1 chip advantage, Hellmuth was unable to make history as John Juanda mounted a remarkable comeback and showed just why he is considered one of the best 2-7 Draw Lowball players in the world. After over three hours of heads-up play, he captured the gold and 367,170 first prize. This was Juanda's fifth bracelet to date.

Richard has exploded out of the blocks like Carl Lewis with a jetpack at this year's World Series, making the final table in his first two events and coming just a gnat's nostril hair away from winning Black Belt Poker's first bracelet. His next event will be the $10,000 Seven-Card Stud Championship, which starts later today.

Click here to view our recent video interview with Richard at his home in Watford.