For the past two days, the field of 64 in the 2013 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship has been whittled down to the elite eight. On Day 1, the field was cut in half. On Day 2, the field was further cut down from 32 to what remains on Day 3 – the final day of action.

Of those returning to action are Daniel Cates and Scott Seiver from the Clubs bracket, Mike Matusow and John Hennigan from the Spades bracket, Eugene Katchalov and Phil Hellmuth from the Hearts bracket, and Brian Hastings and Joe Serock from the Diamonds bracket. Those pairings will face off today beginning at 2 p.m. local time at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Of the eight returning, only the matches of Hellmuth versus Katchalov and Matusow versus Hennigan have players with previous cashes in this event. Hellmuth won the event in 2005 for $500,000 and finished fifth in 2009 for $75,000. He’s squaring off against Katchalov, who finished 16th in 2011 for $30,000. On the other side of the bracket, Matusow placed ninth in the back-to-back years of 2007 and 2008, both for $25,000. He’s playing Hennigan, who finished ninth for $25,000 in 2005. Although Hastings can’t say he’s cashed in the NBC NHUPC, he did win Event 12: $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em at the 2012 World Series of Poker for $371,498.

First place is a whopping $750,000 with all players guaranteed at least $50,000. Play is scheduled to begin shortly, so stay tuned right here to PokerNews for live updates of the action.

Check out the original source here! Originally from PokerNews.com

On Thursday, Jan. 24, 64 invited poker players will take part in the 2013 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship. On Wednesday night, the draw party was held to determine the first-round matches. The competitors were divided into four regions, appropriately deemed Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts and Spades, and PokerNews will be recapping the rounds as they go.

Please note that, on Wednesday, Daniel Negreanu opted out of playing the event, making room for the addition of David “Doc” Sands. Jennfier Harman has also pulled out of the competition, and Tom Marchese will be filling her slot.

Here’s a look at the full bracket, courtesy of WSOP.com (click image to enlarge) :

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Check out the original source here! Originally from PokerNews.com