The WPT World Championship is over and David Chiu is champion, completing an incredible comeback and a systematic dismantling of overwhelming favorite Gus Hansen. Chiu battled back from a 6-1 chip disadvantage during the heads-up match, frustrating the Great Dane at every step of the way and finally delivering the decisive blow with the help of a fortuitous river card.

In the climactic hand, Hansen raised to $750,000 pre-flop and Chiu flat-called on the button. The flop came A T 8 and Chiu checked to Hansen, who bet out $900,000. Chiu called again and the turn was the 5, leading the four-time WSOP bracelet winner to bet out $1.2 million. The Great Dane moved all-in for $8.675 million more.

Chiu stood and addressed the crowd. "I think this is it, boys," he said, before returning to his stack and counting out the call. After a minute or so of rumination he announced a call and turned up A 9 for top pair with the flush draw. Hansen had T 8 for two pair and needed to dodge any ace, nine, five or spade.

The crowd tensed in anticipation for the river card with the tournament on the line, and fifth street brought the A, sending an ecstactic Chiu into the crowd in celebration, where the new WPT Champion draped himself in a Chinese flag as his supporters went nuts.

For the victory, Chiu takes home $3,389,140, a brand-new WPT bracelet and a buy-in into next year's $25,000 WPT Season 7 Championship. Hansen earns $1,714,800 and a few months of sleepless nights. Congratulations to both finalists!

Gus Hansen raises to $775,000 and David Chiu re-raises to $1.9 million. Hansen makes the call and the flop comes J 6 3 and Chiu bets out $1.6 million. Hansen makes the call and the turn is the 6 and Chiu goes into the tank. Eventually he announces all-in for his last $5.175 million and a disgusted-looking Hansen lays down the hand.

Chip counts now have Hansen with $14.5 million and Chiu with $12.5 million.

Gus Hansen just won a decent pot off David Chiu. In the hand Hansen bet $750,000 from the button and Chiu called.

The flop came Q 7 2 and both players checked. The turn came 4 and Chiu checked but Hansen bet $900,000. Chiu called and the dealer flipped over 9 for the river. Chiu once again checked and Hansen went in for a $2.5 million bet. Chiu thought for a couple minutes but eventually laid it down. Hansen raked the nearly $4 million pot.

The break is over and the cards are back in the air with increased blinds and antes and the chip counts at $17.875 million for Gus Hansen and $9.4 million for David Chiu. Gogogogo!

We're on a tape-change break and the action will resume in ten minutes.

To tide you over, here is Tournament Director Jack McClelland's recent summation of Gus Hansen's elimination of Tommy Le: "Gus flopped set over set over top of Tommy Le to bust him and fill up the Chinese restaurant."

WHAT? 

Gus Hansen raises to $525,000 and David Chiu makes the call. The flop comes 8 8 6 and Chiu checks to Hansen, who bets out $635,000. Chiu calls it and the turn is the 5. Again Chiu checks to Hansen, who bets out $1,260,000. Chiu tanks, but again makes the call, and the river is the 2. Both players check and Chiu shows down A-5 for two pair. Hansen mucks and Chiu takes the pot.

The chip counts now have Hansen ahead with $17 million to Chiu's $10 million. 

David Chiu limps-in and Gus Hansen checks his option. The flop comes J 9 8 and Hansen checks to Chiu, who bets out $400,000. Hansen calls and the turn is the K. Both players check and the river is the 2. Hansen bets out $880,000 and Chiu goes into the tank.

Eventually, he makes the call and tells Hansen, "If you have the Q you win."

Hansen replies, "If you have the T you win."

Strangely, Chiu turns up 7 3 but that's good too. He takes down the pot and builds his stack to $8.5 million while Hansen is still on $19 million.

With David Chiu's recent double-up we've made it to level 26 which means blinds of $100,000/$200,000 and a $20,000 ante. Here's a look at the player's stacks as we start the level:

Gus Hansen	$20 million
David Chiu	$7.5 million

David Chiu raises to $505,000 and Gus Hansen moves all-in. Chiu gives the matter some thought before calling off his last $3,790,000 and Hansen tells him, "I have the only hand I've lost with today." He turns up 2 2 and Chiu is ahead with 5 5.

The flop comes K J 7, changing nothing. The turn is the 7 and Hansen picks up some outs for the chop. The river is the Q (did the dealer forget to burn?) and Chiu miraculously wins his pot to double through Hansen.  

Gus Hansen and David Chiu are now heads-up and with more than $5 million on the line we're sure to see some fireworks. Or not. Stay tuned...