14-WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth showed his professional resilience and skills Wednesday night when he came from $194,000 behind to best Daniel “Jungleman” Cates and claim the main prize and the King of the Hill winner’s belt in the $50,000 buy-in inaugural Poker Night in America event.
A large global audience watched the live-streamed bracket-style competition as Hellmuth fought back from what seemed certain elimination to turn the tables on Cates.
The two days of heads-up no limit Texas Hold’em action also included poker greats Doug Polk and Frank Kassela, and was filmed in Van Slyck’s entertainment lounge at Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, on 22 and 23 August.
All four world-class players remain at Rivers for the filming of Poker Night in America flagship $25/$50 No-Limit Cash Game at Van Slyck’s entertainment lounge today (Thursday) and 25 August. Local players will be competing with some of the biggest pros in the game on a live streamed and televised table.
Poker Night in America is currently in its fifth season, with more than 150 episodes produced.
For poker fans who want to play with the pros online, there is now a Poker Night in America app based on the TV show. The app features prizes, including playing in live streamed poker games and a VIP grand prize package that guarantees players $5,000 in playing cash to play on Poker Night.