By Sean Callander

Just like that – we’re down to the heads-up battle for the first PokerStars.net APPT Tournament of Champions title, and what a line-up.

It’s world champion v world champion as 2004 WSOP champion Greg Raymer and 2005 WSOP champion Joe Hachem prepare to do battle. To be fair, Raymer faces an uphill battle – Hachem holds a 8:1 chip lead as they prepare to play heads-up for the first time.

Levy is free to get some well-earned sleep after he raised under the gun to 15,000 and Hachem called out of the big blind.

The flop comes 3c 9d 4c, Hachem checked, Levy bet 21,000, Hachem added an extra 50,000, Levy said all-in and Hachem called.

“Ship it” is the cry as Hachem lands pocket nines for top set, while Levy shows pocket kings. The turn and river are queens (Scotty Nguyen’s head is in his hands after folding a queen).

Hachem’s tasty run of cards continued on the next hand when Scotty pushed all-in for 55,000. Hachem showed pocket aces, and Scotty As 8h. The board isn’t friendly (10s 2s 10h 4c 5s), and Scotty bows out, but not before thanking every single person in the room and sharing in a rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” with Joe and Greg for the TV cameras.



Latest chip count:

• Joe Hachem 830,000
• Greg Raymer 70,000

PokerStars Video Blog
Ali interviews Grant Levy at the break