Andy Frankenberger Defeats Phil Ivey, Wins Event 17

The rail was stacked as spectators gathered to watch the most significant final table of the WSOP so far this year. Event 17, the $10,000 buy-in pot limit hold’em event, drew 179 entrants with many of the games biggest names among them. The final table included Phil Ivey, looking for bracelet number 9, internet sensation and four-time SCOOP champion, Shaun Deeb, Hoyt Corkins, and 2010 WPT Player of the Year Andy Frankenberger looking to capture his second WSOP title.

Frankenberger, despite being on the ropes several times, navigated the tough final table eliminating several of his opponents en route to the head-s up match of his life. He faced off against arguably the best poker player in the world, Phil Ivey. Ivey was looking to pick up his 9th bracelet, a feat which would net him several million in bracelet bets, but it was not to be.

Frankenberger got it all in with a flopped pair of aces, leaving Ivey drawing for his tournament life. Two bricks on the turn and river sent a disappointed Ivey to the rail, and a very excited Frankenberger to the cage to collect the $445,899 first place prize.

While the prize money was nice, for Frankenberger, defeating Ivey was the real prize. “Winning a bracelet is everyone’s dream,” says Frankenberger, “but beating Phil Ivey is like a fairytale. I can’t even believe it just happened. He’s such a great player.”