Thater, Pillai Collect Bracelets

Katja Thater and Shankar Pillai were

the day's big winners in action Monday,

Day 19 of play at the 2007 World Series

of Poker.

Both came from behind to land their

first WSOP bracelets, Thater in Event #29,

$1,500 Razz, and Pillai in Event #28,

$3,000 No Limit Hold 'Em.

Pillai's event also saw Phil Hellmuth tie

T.J. Coultier's career WSOP mark of 39

WSOP final-table appearances.

Thater had a huge task at hand in claiming

the Razz title, beginning the day far behind

the overnight leader, 2005 WSOP Razz

champ O'Neil Longson.

Thater had other worries as well, with a

final table that also included Men Nguyen,

Paul 'Eskimo' Clark and Mark Vos.

Thater, though picked up most of the final-table
knockouts in a succession of huge hands that

saw several players jump to the lead at various

times during play.

Thater eventually finished off Larry St. Jean

for the win, with Longson in third and Clark

in fourth. Thater collected $132,653 for her

first WSOP victory.