The Most UNFORGETTABLE Final Table in WSOP History!

In 2005, a record-breaking field of 5,619 players fought for a life-changing $8 million prize. But when the tournament reached the final table, they had no idea that a part-time magician, an amateur accountant, a quiet Australian, >> and five other players would create a final table so chaotic and legendary it would define an entire era of poker. A night of absolute carnage filled with devastation, miracles, >> first bad feet I ever gave anybody.

>> Heartbreak, and hands so brutal you'll swear the deck was rigged. >> There's no justice when I play great. >> This is the story of the nine personalities who collided to create one of the most unforgettable final tables ever televised.

And it all began with a hand featuring one of poker's most combustible superstars, Mike the Mouth Mattisowl. allowed an incredibly emotional pro who is the favorite to either win it all or spectacularly blow up. The blinds are 25,000 to 50,000.

The tension is thick and then it happens. The hand that would define the next 8 hours of chaos >> with pocket aces. >> Welcome to the final table.

>> He's got a double check. I raise >> re-ra. >> It is a million now to Joseph Hashup.

>> That's a real race. >> That is a final table raise. Andrew Black will fold.

>> Text Bar second and chip says no thanks to Rich. Now over to Mike Mattisau. Mattis with one.

Oh, Mattis with pocket kings now to open up. >> Oh, and his kings could hit a brutal roadblock. Lazar's pocket aces.

>> I'm all in. >> And Mattis moves all his chips in. Aaron Caner has him covered.

So Madison is all in. >> Jeez, we have just only started >> now. Action on the jacks of Danmen.

>> Dan might be thinking, well, one of these two guys probably has me beat. I'm in for only 250,000. I got 5 million in front of me.

Let's laugh it off. Laugh off the quarter million and maybe live for another hand. >> He does fold.

I call. Lazar is right there, of course, with the call. >> Oh, and look at Mike Madison out to open up with Kings.

>> It's up to them. >> It's up to the gods. It's >> about normal for me, RIGHT?

>> IT'S UP to the gods. >> Yeah, gets a set. WHAT A TIME.

>> WOW. >> And that will send Scott Lazar all but out of here. >> Maybe the quickest disappearing act of his career for the magician.

And now the turn card. It's inducing the light now for Lazar. Madison acting as if he has just lost the hand.

Lazar has picked up the nut flush draw to give a shot. South camp there to watch. Lazar is the one who may be eliminated.

Lazar needs an ace or on the river or he's the first one out of here on the river. Lazar wins it. Yes.

YES. YES. TELL ME I HAD IT.

GOT IT. WE GOT IT. Scott Lazar wins a massive pot while the table favorite loes more than 40% of his stack after falling victim to one of the crulest hands ever televised.

But the chaos is just getting started. Because while one player survived by making a great fold, another is about to find out if his own premium hand can hold up. The amateur accountant Steve Danman previously made a brilliant fold with jacks.

Now he's on the other side of a classic coin flip. 450,000 to Steve Danman. >> The happiest player here at age 38.

>> Ace queen. >> Got the shirt on. >> Same shirt since day one.

>> All in. >> And Dan's going to push. >> Lazar folds.

So too Hashim. >> How much is it? >> Andrew Black asking what the prize is.

>> Steve Ganon has about four and a half million left in a stack right now. They don't really going after your big blind. >> Yeah, no kid.

I I don't think there's a hand in the deck I'd call with right now. >> Barge has him covered, but sounds like he needs to see pocket aces to play. And he's gone.

>> Now it's back to Brad Kandra. Does he want to risk all his chips? >> What do you want me to do?

>> Brad looking to his father for advice. >> That's one player per hand. >> Own a friend.

Yeah. Lifeline, please. >> Lifeline, please.

>> No. >> 5050. I have to call.

>> Says he's going for it. No. I don't care what you guys got to call.

>> And Kraki now sees he's in pretty good shape. >> And Brad Kandrai in for the rest of his chips. >> Now we go to the flop.

Jack Queen for Dan improves. Gets a pair of queens. >> Though Kraki falls behind.

At least he's picked up a spade draw on that flop. >> I got some lifelines. Got a lot more than he started with.

>> And Dri needs some outs. He's in danger of being the first one eliminated. >> This will be the first time I came back in the tournament.

>> And now the turn card. Deuce of hearts. Stan him in a three to one advantage going to the river.

>> The turn. No help for Brad Krachi. This is getting rid of the turn.

It never helps me. Kraki still looking for a 10 or a spade or he's going home. >> River now SEVEN OF SPADES.

BRAD Kondrai doubles up hitting his flush on the river to survive while Danon man takes the bad beat in stride. At least the best hand won again. >> Ivy Leager got the best of the CPA that time >> and Steve Danderman always laughing win or lose.

Mattisau, on the other hand, is still fuming from his loss and looking for any opportunity to get his chips back, even if it means playing hands he'd normally throw in the mock. Mattisowl looks down at 95 offsuit. A trash hand by any standard.

In normal circumstances, this is an easy fold, but with his emotions running hot, he raises, hoping to just steal the blinds and anties. It folds around to Andrew Black in the big blind who calls with Jack 10 offuit looking to capitalize on Mattisau's tilt. >> Ah, hello sir.

>> Mattisowl and black will go to the flop. >> Both players get a pair. Black gets a pair of jacks to lead and he checks >> 350.

Mattisowl comes out with 350,000 and Andrew Black makes the quick call. >> But we're seeing Mattis not being rocky here. This is the other Mike Mattis out where he can take any two cards and be awful dangerous.

>> Now it's a 10 and Black has two pair >> and makes it a million. >> Well, this is the time for Mike to get out of the way or maybe for Mike to have a blowup. >> Race.

>> Wow. Is the fuse lit? Mike's going to 2 million.

>> All in. And Andrew Black trying to force Mattis all on. >> Black wants the home crowd to stay quiet so he can hear the signals.

Wouldn't this be Mattisau's home crowd though? >> I think I got you. >> Andrew Black likes to force his opponents into difficult decisions.

>> Do you want me to call? Don't really mind, man. >> Really?

>> Really? >> Would a Buddhist charity worker lie? >> Madison reaching.

>> I'm tired of that move, Mike. It's like the quarterback using the hard count to try to draw the defense off sides. I I don't like it.

>> Come on, Mike. >> MIKE KICKS IT IN RIGHTLY. >> And Mattis sidesteps the potential blowout after the hand.

The bleeding doesn't stop. Mike keeps spewing chips with bad bluffs and worse timing. >> He raises it up quarter million.

>> We just saw him raise with 95 offuit and now he's raising with 85. He indeed is mixing it up. >> The writing is on the wall.

One more wrong step. One more bad decision and Mike Mattisau's main event will be over. Unfortunately for the mouth, that moment comes sooner than anyone expected when he picks up tens.

Mike makes the call. >> That's why again Mattisau so dangerous to play against. You saw him raise a couple times with nothing and then he'll just call with pocket 10.

>> So Mattisau and Danaman go to the flop. Mattisowl with a slight advantage with his pocket pair. >> Now the flop five deuce Trey.

Mattisau's tens are still good, but Dan's ace found some company. >> All in. >> And with that straight draw, Dan pushes all in.

And this would force Mattisowl to go all in. Dan has played very tight. And this is for all of Mattisowl's chips.

>> And he goes all in. >> Great read. If Mattisau hangs on, he's right back in it.

>> Am I right? Was I right? You have a hand.

>> I was right. >> He was right indeed. Mattis with the advantage with all his chips in the pot.

And that's exactly what a poker player wants to have happen. >> Mattis kicks off Danik who makes a great read. >> A couple outs.

>> Indeed. Dan can hit an ace or a jack. He's got a back door flush draw and a gutshot straight draw.

>> A contrast in attitude between the happy golucky Steve Dan and the brooding Mike Madison out. >> Well, the brooding one on the verge of a big double up as we go to the turn. >> Now the turn car turn IS A FOUR.

DONOVAN GOT the straight AND SLEY ON THE BRINK of elimination. >> What a read, dude. I knew he didn't have it.

Danovan's got a straight. Mattis can get the same straight with an ace or six on the river and chop the pot. >> No justice when I play great.

>> Ain't no justice in poker. >> Ace or six or Mattis's going home. >> Now the river CARD IS A NINE.

MIKE MATTIS, THE FIRST PLAYER eliminated from this championship table. >> And just like that, Mike Mattisowl is done. He came in as the table favorite and chip leader.

But one brutal cooler and a series of illtimed bluffs sent him to the rail in the most painful way possible. And with the volatile superstar eliminated, the entire final table dynamic shifts. The amateurs and unknowns are no longer intimidated by poker royalty.

The playing field has been leveled and now it's truly anyone's tournament. But the eliminations are far from over. >> Pocket eights for Andrew Black.

Andrew Black with about 13 million in chips. >> This would be not much more than 10% of his chip stack to call. And >> call >> and Andrew Black will put Kraki all in.

>> Brad Kraki's whole tournament life riding on his ace queen. >> On day five, Kraki had 109 offuit. He tried to pick up the blinds with a raise.

He went all in against pocket kings and got lucky by making a straight. He's looking for a bit more luck right here. >> And we go to our flop about a coin flip.

It comes out king 95. No coin flip anymore. Black a three to one advantage.

>> The contrai contingent ruing on their man. >> Andrew Black with a chance to knock off a player. Turn card is a five.

Pairs the board. No help to Kraki. >> Not a lot of angles left for Brad Kraki.

He simply needs an ace or a queen or his main event is over. >> Now the river card. >> SIX OF CLUBS.

BLACK WINS THE HAND. Brad Kadrai eliminated in eighth place. >> Eliminations are coming fast now.

Eight players have become seven and the pressure is climbing because every bust out means a massive pay jump for the survivors. Tex B, the seasoned veteran has been quietly accumulating chips with a steady calculated style. Daniel Burgdorf has been playing solid, patient poker, waiting for his moment.

But one of them is about to experience every poker player's nightmare. >> Hash will fold >> and Texarge will make the call. This is our degree all-in moment.

Daniel Bergsdorf has the lead but at risk of elimination holding pocket jacks against the two 10 of Texarge. >> Bergsdorf started the day in the middle of the pack. Hasn't had much going.

The pocket jacks the best thing he's seen. He's picked it up in a good spot. A 4 to1 favorite against Texas Tech Spart.

>> So now here comes our flop. It is Daniel Queen and getting the first. His brother and wife love what they see.

>> Well, Daniel Bergdorf gets ready to leave. Apparently he doesn't adhere to the Phil Helmouth school of loud and painful exits. >> Oh, now the turn card is in eight.

Bergdorf in scramble mode right now. Picks up a draw. He does get some more outs, >> but he doesn't want to forget his sunglasses just in case.

>> Bergf still a six to1 underdog. He needs a jack or a nine for a straight to stay alive. >> The river card >> is a queen.

>> A hand that should have been a routine double up turns into a devastating bad beat. Seven players become six. And now the remaining players are starting to taste real money.

the kind that changes lives. Earlier, the amateur magician Scott Lazar survived the biggest cooler of the night, crushing Mattisau's hopes with aces. He's been playing solid poker ever since.

But then he makes a questionable play, calling Joe Hashim's three bet shove with king n suited. So, the question is simple. Can the magician pull one more rabbit out of the hat?

>> After laying down his ace last time, he's eager for some action. I'm all in. >> I'll call you.

>> Hashing the short stack goes all in and Lazar calls. >> Am I Am I IN FRONT, SCOTTY? >> OH, I'm in front.

>> You are. >> I don't want to make a flush, that's for sure. >> Good luck, man.

>> Thank surprised that Lazar called here. I'm surprised at how quickly he called. There was no need for this.

I think he had a little rain bubble. >> Flop three spades and don't worry about it. >> Ashim is holding the ace queen of spades.

He'd love to see a flush. And it's Joseph Hashim whose tournament life is at stake here. >> Gamble, gamble.

Still got chips to play with. >> Scott's pretty much conceding this hand and he'll do with the fact that he'll still have 2. 9 million chips to play with.

>> He started the hand with about 5 12 million. Lazar's all but good now. >> Lazar would need running straight cards.

Hey, I've done it before, right? >> But they can't be spades or running kings or running nines. >> Put a spade dealer >> now.

The turn card. Five of clubs. And that's going to do it.

Hash wins the hand and doubles away. >> That hand leaves Lazar crippled. And in the very next hand, the man who started the chaos is sent to the rails.

Now only five remain. And at this point, every decision carries enormous weight. Aaron Caner, nicknamed the giant killer, has been methodically building his stack, but he's about to collide with Andrew Black in a hand that will decide who controls this final table.

Aaron Caner is going to re-ra. Steve Danaman will fold. Now over to Andrew Black and his mysterious hole card.

He will call with the ace and unknown card. Well, I don't think it's pocket aces. >> 53 king, a set of kings for Aaron Caner.

No matter what black has, Aaron Caner has got the lead. >> Now the 27year-old Californian will bet a million. >> Oh man.

>> And a raise from black. >> Wow. I I thought Caner might sit on his set because Andrew Black will do your bidding for you, but he bet it.

And then the aggressive black comes back over the top of him. Maybe black got really unlucky here and he has ace king. >> Aaron Caner with the three kings.

>> Just makes the call. Big pot now about 11 million chips. Andrew Black still behind no matter what he has.

Now the turn card a three of hearts. Caner with a full boat. >> And now he will sit on them.

Must be out there. >> Aaron Caner known here as the giant killer. Black is the giant at this table.

in danger of losing a lot of chips to Aaron. Chip leader, Andrew Black, of course, has Caner covered and he checks two. We'll go to the river now.

An eight of clubs. Caner earns the check mark. >> Black might have a a good ace.

Ace queen, ace jack, ace 10. Maybe he had a heart draw. >> He's going to need a lot of heart here.

2 million from Caner. >> What can he have? Uh to tell you the truth, I think that Andrew Black can only beat a bluff, but now it's just 2 million more to take down a pot of 15 million.

He might be thinking of a call. >> Cool. >> And Black indeed does call >> and Aaron Caner shows him the full boat.

>> Caner wins a pot of over 15 million chips and becomes the new chip leader. This is textbook tournament poker. He flops a monster, disguises its strength, and extracts maximum value from an aggressive opponent.

And with that massive win, the dynamics of the table completely shift again. Black, who was the table's most feared aggressor just moments ago, is now short stacked and desperate. And he's about to face the amateur accountant in a do or die situation.

Steve Ganaman, 39 years old from Severn, Maryland. Ace six of hearts. Call down.

>> He's in the pot over to Joseph Hasham. He says no thanks. Andrew Blackrew in the big blind.

>> We're going to have to send him to our pocket cam seminars. >> Just a nine. >> Penalize him by turning his sunglasses the right side up.

>> In the big blind. He does call. Three to the flop.

The flop is 596. A couple of clubs. Black pairs his nine.

Ganaman pairs his six. And Drw Black with a million chips. >> Tex Barge gets out of the way.

>> Dan with middle pair. The sixes. All in >> and he pushes.

>> I think he should have checked his notes list. >> Oh wow. That's over 7 million chips more.

>> Well, we know that black has at least a pair of nines. We know his nines are good, but does Andrew Black think they're good? >> Andrew Black once again being put to the test by a first timer here at the World Series.

>> And make the call >> and Steve Dan will be all in >> and behind. >> And Dan flips over his cards. IT'S ONLY 69 for the pair of >> nines.

Andrew Black A THREE TO ONE ADVANTAGE. STEVE DAN MAYBE on his way out. >> Jerry Dell, what you doing with my money?

>> Are you worried? >> Actually does look a little stressed. >> It's been fun, man.

>> Here we go to the turn. DANAMAN WAY BEHIND AND NOW HE'S further behind with a three of clubs on the turn. Steve, you're behind.

>> Well, at least visibly Dan more relaxing the two. He's all in. Black at risk for 3/4 of his chips.

Dan needs an ace or a six to stay alive. >> And the RIVER HUGE HIT TO ANDREW BLACK. Black's chip stack has been stuck in reverse lately.

He's got pocket tens. They'll make some noise now. 600,000 chips.

>> Steve Danman, >> ace king. >> At his Tuesday night home game, Damon pushes two banquet tables together with a piece of masking tape down the middle so the chips won't fall through the cracks. >> Free raise.

>> Free raise from Ganon. >> Good. 2 million.

>> 2 million. >> Two stacks a million each. >> And Andrew Black is going to push.

>> All in. >> Call. Daniman calls and THIS IS OUR THREE ALLIN MOMENT.

Former leader Andrew Black has put all his chips at risk WITH POCKET TIPS. >> Dan just lost a race to Hashim. If he wins this race, Andrew Black's day will be over.

>> IT WAS NOT TOO LONG AGO that Andrew Black was our chip leader with 20 million chips. NOW IN DANGER OF LOSING ALL HE HAS LEFT. Here's our flop.

238. THAT CLUB MISSES DOWN AND BLACK STILL LEADS. >> Black survives it.

It still seems to be pained by this process. >> Black obviously emotional. CAN HARDLY LOOK.

>> NOW THE TURN CARD. >> OH. Oh jeez.

>> We have seen Black feel other people's pain in this tournament. It's hard not to feel black's pain right now. >> Otherwise, >> one card to come perhaps in Black's tournament life.

He's already put the coat on. >> Black will need a 10 for the one time massive chip leader at this final table will be gone. >> It's a nine to Andrew Black.

>> The aggressive Irish pro who commanded the table for much of the night is out in fifth place. A few hands later, Aaron Caner, who was once dominating, gets sent packing in fourth. And suddenly, we're down to three.

Steve Danman, the amateur accountant who refuses to go away. Joe Hasham, the quiet Australian chiropractor, playing the most solid poker of his life, and Tex Bart, the veteran pro. With three players fighting for $7.

5 million, every decision is life or death. What happens next created one of the most unforgettable moments in WSOP history. >> 750 >> raises it up 750,000 on Joseph Hasham.

>> Like a jacks are better three-handed. Very strong. Not cool.

>> Hasham makes the call with his jacks. >> Hasham might have raised there, but he's going to just slow play the jacks. >> Arch with an ace and a six.

>> I'm all in. >> And Barge is going to push with his A6. >> And the curious thing, Lon, if Hasham had raised, Bart might have folded.

>> Instead, Tex goes all in. 65 million. >> That puts the heat on Dan and Minnell >> wants to see how much of a stack he has to call.

Call >> and he does make the call on >> and Joseph Hasham calls as well. >> Oh Lord. And with two callers we >> win this we're aiming again.

>> Indeed that would be the case but March has a lot of work to do. >> Takes all in. going to be looking for an ace.

>> Good luck. >> Good luck, gentlemen. >> Danovan and Hashim can bet in a side pot if they wish.

>> So now ready for the flop. Jack Spart maybe looking at his last flop of this main event. >> Flop is deuce 103.

March gets nothing. Hasham's jacks still lead >> and neither Hasham or Danaman improve. And when two players are in against an all-in guy, they'll often check it out unless somebody improves their hands.

>> Turn card is a queen. Bart running out of chances. >> Once again, they both check.

>> And for Tex Barge down to perhaps his last card. He needs an ace and an ace only to stay alive in the main event. >> River card is a nine and officially Tex Barge is eliminated.

Hasham and Danaman have to finish their business. They check it out >> and Joseph Hasham wins that huge pot. But the key here is Tex B is gone in third place.

>> Now it's heads up. One amateur versus one man playing the tournament of his life. >> Suit announces a raise.

Blinds are at 150 and 300,000. Raises it to 700,000. >> Ash was 73 offuit.

Do you play this short-handed even? >> Not usually. Well, He can beat the seven deuce.

>> Danimman with a three to one advantage as we go to the flop. The flop is four, five, SIX. HASH HIM.

FLOP THE STRAIGHT. >> WELL, now he can beat a lot of hands. >> Oh my goodness.

>> And he will check his monster hand. >> Dan with a straight draw. That's 700,000.

>> Plus plus 1 million >> and a raise of 1 million more. >> I thought Hasham might wait, but he will pounce now. Dan's got a real playable hand.

Up and down straight draw plus the ace high. Danman makes the call. >> Now we go to the turn.

Hasham with a big advantage. >> It's an ace. >> That's a disaster card for Dan.

>> The best he can hope for is a chop pot. >> Too many. >> Asham is at a great position.

He'll bet 2 million. He cannot lose this hand. >> Unfortunately for Danman, he's got a pair of aces and an up and down straight draw.

He's really got to like his hand. >> This guy's always laughing at critical moments. Now, these are treacherous waters for Steve Danaman.

You can see the percentages. >> You having fun? >> My god, it's it's a ball.

>> $2 million. That's a pretty large bet for a young man of your of your playing ability, huh? >> I'm telling you, Alan, these guys should move in together.

And ABC has its odd couple remake. >> I raise 3 million more. Panaman now announces a raise.

>> And Hasham next to Wack trying to figure out how to get the most chips he can out of his opponent. He does want to double check to make sure he has that straight being friendly. >> All right, stop.

I'm all in. >> Joseph Hasham is going to try to put Dan all in. >> Hasham with the straight.

I'm all in. And Dan bites. Joseph Hass and a title in the waiting.

Dan needs a seven or Joseph Hashim will be our world champion. >> And now our river card. It's over.

Joseph Hash stands alone. >> Drp a comment below with your favorite WSOP moment from any final table you've ever watched. And if you want more mustwatch poker stories, here are some videos I know you'll love.