Erick Lindgren wins the 2006 4th Annual Five-Star World Poker Classic $3,000 event at the Bellagio.

He'll take home $261,555 in prize money and the diamond-gold Bellagio bracelet. He'll also win a seat into the $25,000 Championship event on the 18th.

Check back for tonight's event report and the winner's photo from today's final table.

Erick Lindgren, on the button, with over one million in chips, went all in before the flop. Eggebrecht, with his last 340,000 called. To his dismay, Lindgren turned over "big-slick" (Ac-Kd), which severely reduced Eggebrecht's chances of winning the hand, holding Ah-2d. With no kicker, Eggebrecht's hopes were further dashed when the flop, 10d-6d-4d, gave Lindgren a flush possiblility. Eggebrecht would have to pair his deuce to survive, but the 7c came on the river to prove that A-K can still win a tournament.

R. Jim Eggebrecht is runner-up in this event and will take home $140,355 in prize money.

Bernard Ko, in the small blind, raised 100,000 before the flop and Erick Lindgren re-raised, putting Ko all in. Ko called and showed pocket eights (8d-8s) and Lindgren turned over Ah-Js. The flop came Qh-6h-4h, giving Lindgren a flush draw but kept Ko ahead with his pocket pair. The turn changed all that when Lindgren paired his jacks with the Jd. Ko would have to hit the 8c to win, but the river was one off with the 7c and Ko would have to settle for third place.

Bernard Ko from Foster City, CA earned $70,180.

James Heoppner, on the small blind, went all in before the flop with about 375,000. Erick Lindgren, in the big blind called. If Hoeppner won it would cripple Lindgren and give him an enormous chip lead. But Lindgren had Hoeppner covered and Hoeppner would face elimination if he lost the hand. Hoeppner turned over Jc-Ad, but Lindgren had the advantage with As-Kc. The flop came Qs-Jd-4h and Hoeppner paired his jacks to pull ahead. But the turn, the Kh paired Lindgren to recover his lead. The river, the 2h didn't change a thing and Hoeppner was eliminated in 4th place.

James Hoeppner earned $38,265.

It's down to four players. Below are their approximate chip counts.

Seat 1 - Erick Lindgren 420,000
Seat 2 - Jim Eggebrecht 200,00
Seat 3 - Bernard Ko 225,000
Seat 4 - James Hoeppner 465,000

Mark Cole was sent home early when his A-Q suited ran into Bernard Ko's pocket sixes. The board failed to save Cole and Ko's pair held up.

Mark Cole is out in 5th place with $28,710.

Players are headed into round 15, with the blinds at 6,000-12,000 (2,000 ante).

The tournament will break for 15 minutes and resume play at 5:20 pm PST.

Brett Jungblut went all in on the button for 80,000 and Erick Lindgren called in the small blind. Everyone else folded around and Jungblut turned over pocket tens (10c-10h). Erick Lindgren was one up when he showed his pocket jacks (Jh-Js). The flop came Kc-8h-7d, keeping Lindgren in a safe spot. The turn, the 4h significantly reduced Jungblut's possiblities as he stood to shake Lindgren's hand. He would need a ten to make a set and win the hand. The river sealed his fate with the 8s and Jungblut was sent to the rail in 6th place.

Brett Jungblut will take home $22,330.

Bernard Ko raised with pocket jacks (Jd-Jc), in middle position. Thor Hansen called all-in with Ad-Kc. The flop came 2s-6h-10s and Ko maintained the lead. Two treys fell on the turn and the river to give Ko two pair and win the hand.

Thor Hansen will go out in 7th place with $15,950.