Tom Dwan has beaten Phil Hellmuth in Round 2 of High Stakes Duel III putting an end to his winning streak. Tom Dwan busted the “Poker Brat” just like he did at the 2008 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship by cracking Phil’s Pocket Aces! Watch the eagerly-awaited match below.
Phil Hellmuth came into Round 2 of High Stakes Duel III riding a winning streak of seven consecutive victories, including sweeps of Antonio Esfandiari and Daniel Negreanu.
Nevertheless, Tom Dwan proved to be too much for the 15-time World Series of Poker gold bracelet winner. By beating Hellmuth, Dwan picked up the round’s $200,000 prize.
Watch High Stakes Duel Tom Dwan vs. Phil Hellmuth here:
Who will face Tom Dwan next at High Stakes Duel?
It is now Tom Dwan’s turn to wait and see who he will face next in Round 3 of High Stakes Duel III. Hellmuth has the first option to take on Dwan in a rematch, but if Hellmuth passes, then another competitor can step into the ring.
Whoever is next for Dwan will be required to put up a $200,000 buy-in as the two will battle for a $400,000 prize pool.
High Stakes Duel III Round 2 Recap
Phil Hellmuth had the better start, landing some early punches and increasing his stack to 125,000, but then things started to slowly turn around.
Tom Dwan won a lot of small pots, before he won a big won by flopping Top Two with Q♣T♥ on 5♠10♦Q♠ against K♠9♠ for a combo draw from Hellmuth.
The Poker Brat missed his outs on both turn and river and online high stakes legend “durrrr” took over the chip lead leaving Phil Hellmuth behind in frustration:
Tom gonna Tom. Phil gonna Phil.
📺https://t.co/MyyUKh6Ans pic.twitter.com/SPPazZNxBc
— PokerGO (@PokerGO) August 26, 2021
Tom Dwan cracks Phil Hellmuth’s Aces with 93o!
During the ensuing period, Tom Dwan took over control building a huge 9 to 1 chip lead, before the followin hand happened:
At blind of 2,000/4,000, a shortstacked Phil Hellmuth decided to slowplay 
preflop having only five big blinds. Dwan checked his 
in the big blind.
The flop came 
. and preflop aggressor Dwan made a 5,000 continuation bet, while Hellmuth announced “All-In” call.
Tom Dwan was pot-commited and had to call. He then spiked a 
on the turn and a blank on the river ended Phil Hellmuth seven games winning streak.
Tom Dwan is the new HIgh Stakes Duel Champion with Phil Hellmuth having the first option for a rematch. He didn’t challenge Dwan straight away though saying that he has to watch the match first before he makes his decision.
“I adjust how I play more than most people do”
PokerGO: Did you approach this match with Phil Hellmuth any differently to how you would approach another opponent?
Tom Dwan: “I just knew I was going to get needled if I lost, so I was trying to avoid the needle.”
PokerGO: Was there any in-game adjustments from you once you took the lead in the match?
Tom Dwan: “I think I adjust how I play more than most people do depending on what other people are doing in the game. So I definitely made some unconventional plays there. Some I think were good, some I think were bad.”
PokerGO: What are your overall thoughts on the High Stakes Duel format?
Tom Dwan: “I like new formats and trying new stuff. I don’t know if this will be going for 20 years or whatever, but I think it’s neat when you try something new and see what happens, and see if people like it. And I think it’s a neat format for now. I think it’s interesting.”
PokerGO: Phil Hellmuth is unsure if he is going to challenge you in Round 3, but would you like to play him again in Round 3 or see someone new?
Tom Dwan: “I don’t think it’s my choice, right? But we’ll see what happens.”
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