History came close to being made at the 39th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, when the woman who won Event #19 earlier this month almost won Event #25.

Unfortunately for Vanessa Selbst, it was not to be–at least not yet.

But no worries for the crafty, wannabe lawyer from New York City, New York, USA.

At age 23, the prospective law school student has plenty of time ahead of her to try to make history.

Earlier this month, she won 2008 WSOP Event #19, a $1,500 buy-in, pot-limit Omaha tournament that was her first-ever WSOP championship gold bracelet.

She also became one of the few women in WSOP history to win a bracelet in a tourney that was open to both men and women (the WSOP holds women-only tournaments, but no men-only ones).

Had Selbst been able to win 2008 WSOP Event #25–she came in third–she would have become the first woman ever to win two open events at the same WSOP.

Oh, well, there are still 30 more events to go at the ‘08 WSOP.

But since one of those events is a seniors-only tournament open only to those age 50 or older, and another event is open to casino employees only, Selbst actually has only 28 more shots this year at a gold bracelet double-play.

Still, don’t bet against her.

As for 2008 WSOP Event #25, it was a $10,000 buy-in, no-limit Texas hold ‘em heads-up tournament that had 256 entries, 64 payouts and a total prize pool of about $2.4 million.

The winner was Phuong “Kenny” Tran, a Vietnamese immigrant who now lives in Arcadia, California, USA.

For the victory, the former McDonald’s hamburger flipper-turned-poker pro picked up a cool $539,056 and his first career bracelet.

It was the 12th time in his career he has finished in the money in a WSOP event, including a 16th-place finish in the Main Event of last year’s WSOP.

Coming in second in the tourney was Alec Torelli of Anaheim, California, USA, earning $336,896.

Third was Selbst, earning $108,288.

Fourth was Jonathan Jaffe of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, USA, earning $108,288.

Fifth was Lyle Berman of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, earning $54,144.

Sixth was Gavin Griffin of Fullerton, California, USA, earning $54,144.

Seventh was Brandon Adams of Pensacola, Florida, USA, earning $54,144.

Eighth was Robert “Brother of Michael” Mizrachi of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, USA, earning $54,144.

Ninth was David Williams of Las Vegas, earning $36,096.

Tenth was Michael McNeil of Wheeling, West Virginia, USA, earning $36,096.

Well-known names competing in the tourney and finishing in the money were Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi in 11th place, Erick “E-Dog” Lindgren in 18th place, Sam Farha in 30th place, Chris “Jesus” Ferguson in 51st place, Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari in 53rd place, Clonie Gowen in 60th place and Carlos “El Matador” Mortensen in 64th place.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)