William Kassouf and Griffin Benger shake hands after the former's controversial elimination

If William Kassouf was going to be knocked out of this poker tournament, there has been something lets all ensure about: he wasn't going to head quietly.

So it proved moments ago at the vast television stage within the Amazon Room, where the polarising British player has become the 17th place finisher on the earth Series of Poker Main Event.

Make no mistake, Kassouf goes to be the tale of this tournament. He has already filled most column inches as they've played to the last day of the summer, and the style of his elimination by the hands of Griffin Benger will fill many, many more. It will make great television--even if Kassouf probably must prepare to be portrayed because the villain.

But Kassouf must have have some fans too. All of them say they would like personalities on the poker table, and William Kassouf certainly has that.

Two hands did for Kassouf, sending him from 22 million chips and a really perfect shot on the November Nine to the rail in hasty succession. The primary was only a grim run out for Kassouf with A♠A♥, losing to Gordon Vayo's A♣J♦ on a A♦9♦5♦7♦6♦ board.

But the second one was a full-on barnstormer: players losing their cool, bellows from the bleachers, a panicked tournament announcer fearfully calling for a supervisor to the table lest things come to blows.

You will watch all of it on TV, but listed here are the edited highlights.

It started innocuously enough. Kassouf was standing by the rail speaking to a few of his friends concerning the previous hand against Vayo. But he scampered back just in time to receive his cards within the hijack and spot Benger open to 875,000. (Blinds are 200,000/400,000.)

Kassouf peeked at his cards and three-bet to 2.3 million. Then action got back to Benger, who four-bet to 5.6 million.

Action came back to Kassouf, who now adopted a well-recognized routine. Kassouf's issues of tournament officials this week have are available these particular spots, where he's curious about a hand after significant action after which desires to get some information from his opponent about what he's up against.

"You've got it?" Kassouf started. "THESE KINDS OF coolers. I HAVE to head all in or fold."

Benger remained completely silent. "FOR THOSE WHO don't say anything, I WILL ship," Kassouf said. "THIS WOULD be the only. Have I got you covered or have you ever got me covered?" (Their stacks were almost exactly the same, at around 15 million.)

The chit-chat went on for a long, long time, but Benger said nothing. The gang was restless within the seats ringing the stage. "He hasn't said one word to him," one spectator said. "He's been speaking to him for ten minutes." He then raised his voice to a shout that may be heard at the stage. "Come on dude, put it in!"

The tournament announcer turned to scowl on the man at the rail, but then had to turn quickly back to the table. Someone had called the clock and it was ticking all the way down to about 30 seconds, 20 seconds, all with Kassouf continuing the barrage of questions at a silent Benger.

But suddenly Benger cracked. "THAT IS verbal abuse!" he said. A number of the other words were lost in what quickly escalated right into a slanging match: Kassouf insisting, "I'm just looking to get information" and Benger returning with "The bet is 5.6 million chips" and banging his hand at the table.

The crowd stood up, other players also rose to their feet and the ambience within the tournament room turned ugly. Kassouf have been getting under numerous opponents' skins this week, but never for a tournament defining pot at the biggest stage, and not with an opponent also joining within the argument.

Just before the clock ran entirely down, and with insults still peppering the air, Kassouf announced: "I'm all in."

Benger immediately replied. "I call," he said, picking up his two cards and slapping them down at the table. They were two black aces. Kassouf turned his over. They were two black kings.

"Whatever happens, my life is nice"! Benger said, wheeling around along with his arms within the air and searching at his anxious rail. "Give it to him! Put a king down there! It doesn't matter!"

Calvin Anderson and Tim Reilly were prominent in Benger's railing section, but didn't appear to know exactly what they were rooting for. "What do you have, Griffin?" Anderson said. Reilly said, "WE'VE GOT the aces?"

"You let it get to you," Kassouf taunted Benger."I let it get to me?" Benger taunted back, still highly unimpressed by Kassouf's antics. "Let's go, let's go. It won't change my life."

"Let's go Blue Jays!" bellowed a fan from the rail, regarding Benger's shirt. "It's over for the Brit! The Brit goes home!"

Another fan hadn't quite taken the hint offered by the Toronto livery and shouted, "U.S.A! U.S.A.!" (Benger, it's going to be noted, is Canadian.)

"King of hearts at the flop," Kassouf said, still standing all but alone on the table. Just he and the dealer gave the look to be within viewing distance of the where the flop would soon emerge.

"Any kings about," Kassouf said. After which he dropped the immortal, "One time!"

"You kicked his ass, baby!" came another misguided shout from the rail. "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!"

Griffin Benger secures the double up

It was finally time to peer some community cards. They fell slowly, but surely, and there has been no help for Kassouf. The T♥8♥3♦ came at the flop. The turn was the 6♣ and when the T♦ spiked the river, the Amazon Room erupted.

Kevin Mathers, the WSOP media officer, spoke for the poker community:

As for Kassouf, having verified with the dealer that Benger had him covered, he picked up his coffee cup and went man-by-man across the table, shaking hands with everyone, including Benger. He then headed to an interview with Kara Scott, where he let off some steam.

"I think I HAVE BEEN targeted and victimised," he said, relating to a minimum of two warnings he has received from tournament officials and a one-round penalty yesterday. "I HAVE BEEN pulled aside." He added: "I'm a sensible guy, I'm a lawyer. That's my strategy." He said much the similar to PokerStars Blog earlier within the week.

Kassouf soon regained his composure and paid tribute to the folks who've been supporting him from home. "People have said I'm an inspiration," he said. "For me, that's massive." He mentioned players learning their poker in pub leagues, who've been going in touch with him and saying that they would like to emulate his achievements.

When the dust settles, many more will likely take a look at Kassouf and acknowledge the achievement too. From 6,737, there has been just one William Kassouf.

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WSOP photos by PokerPhotoArchive.com.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: World Series of Poker]