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There was little doubt coming into this year's World Series of Poker that Allen Cunningham was amongst the truly elite players in the world. The 30-year-old Cunningham was the WSOP player of the year in 2005, and followed that up with a fourth place finish in the main event in 2006. In 2007 though, he etched his name in the history book with one very remarkable victory.

Cunningham's win in Event 13 -$5,000 pot-limit hold'em - couldn't have come at a better time for the WSOP. In a year that had seen one Internet player win after another, a big name and story was needed to redirect the world's attention. When Cunningham was paired with Jeffrey Lisandro in the heads-up portion of the tournament, WSOP was assured of both.

The match started with the two in a virtual dead heat, but Cunningham took the advantage immediately and never looked back. By the time the event reached its final hand - the 80th of heads-up play - Allen had a T3,075,000-T905,000 lead.

With the blinds at T25,000-T50,000, Lisandro raised the button to T165,000 with Qh-Qs. Cunningham re-raised with Kc-9d and Lisandro moved all-in. Allen called, the board came As-8h-3s Kh 7d and Cunningham was the champion, good for a $487,287 payday.

The victory put Allen in some very elite company. He became the fifth player in history to win bracelets in three consecutive years, the first since Erik Seidel from 1992-94 and the second since the '70s. He also became the third-youngest player in history to win five bracelets, following only Phils Ivey and Hellmuth. Additionally, he moved into a tie for the lead for bracelets in the decade, tied with Ivey, Johnny Chan and Jesus Ferguson. No slouches there.

Cunningham's win gave the WSOP the name and story it had been looking for. Finally the event had turned a corner, with its first big player-related story. It was one day later, in event 15, that even Cunningham would be surpassed.

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