Phil Hellmuth Wins 2012 LA Poker Classic Eight Game Mix

Phil Hellmuth has won the Eight-Game Mix Championship at the LA Poker Classic (LAPC), after defeating a field of 49 players over two days to collect the trophy, and the $22,630 first place prize.
Phil Hellmuth was clearly delighted to have taken down his first tournament since he won the 2007 WSOP $1500 NL Event for $637,254, and soon after posted via twitter:
“I win!! Feels great to win a tournament, FINALLY!!…It’s Feb 29, see u in 4 years (the NEXT Feb 29) to defend my title! #LeapYearWin”
The $2,080 buy-in Event #49, took place at the Commerce Casino and involved the following game variations; NLH, PLO, TripleDraw, Hold’em, Omaha8, Razz, Stud, and Stud8.
Despite being an 11 times WSOP bracelet winner, all Hellmuth’s WSOP victories have been in NL events. However, in 2011 Hellmuth showed us another side to his game after finishing 2nd in three WSOP events, including the $10k NL 2-7 Draw ($226,907), $10k Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo ($273,233), and the $50k Poker Players Championship 8 Game ($1,063,034).
It looks like Phil Hellmuth is continuing to enjoy success away from NL poker, highlighted by his latest win for $22,630. However, originally $38,970 from the prize pool Of $95,060 was earmarked for the winner, but a five way chop saw the remaining players divide the money out as follows:
1 Phil Hellmuth $22,630 
2 Brian Tate $22,160 
3 Bryan Devonshire $14,880 
4 Tyson Marks $18,590 
5 Owais Ahmed $12,800 
6 Mike Gorodinsky $4,000
“I’m chip leader, we just made a 5 handed deal for prize pool according to ICM: I get most money 22k, but we playing for trophy,” tweeted Hellmuth, who then beat Brian Tate heads-up for the trophy.
Nonetheless, Hellmuth’s victory wasn’t to every one’s taste, not least to his biggest critic Tony G, who chipped in:
“Five way chop of all the money @LAPC side event – nice of them to let a desperate man win. What a disgrace.”
Still, not even Tony G’s comments could dampen his spirits this time, and the following day Hellmuth wrote, while admiring his winner’s photo:
“Just slept 15 hours! Why am I still tired? Already posted this PIC of me w the trophy, but it still makes me smile!”