The end of one of the most exciting times in online high stakes poker history may have come to an end tonight.  Brian 'Stinger' Hasting played a nearly 3000 hand session against Isildur1, slaughtering him for over $4 million dollars.  Isildur1 had been considered nearly defeated within the last couple weeks, only to rise again and take more money from durrrr, Ziigmund, Brian Townsend and others, but it all flowed to Stinger tonight.

It was hard to keep up with all the goings on because they were changing and splitting tables constantly.  But in one defining exchange, Isildur1 exposed his exasperation with the match.

Isildur1: ??????????
Brian Hastings: getting very tired...
Brian Hastings: i feel bad quitting tho
Brian Hastings: would be be cool w/ playing someone else?
Isildur1: just f off
Isildur1: wåfä'qqqqqqqnhjwe4nm
Isildur1: dW
Isildur1: GFE4¨ÅN,K N,KN,KN,KN,KN,KN,KN,KN,KN,KN,KN,KN,KN,K3
Isildur1: Q
Isildur1: u know how lucky u are ?
Brian Hastings: yes i know
Isildur1: i can promise this is the worst
Brian Hastings: ill give you 30 more min if you want
Isildur1: luck anyone had
Brian Hastings: but im rly tired
Isildur1: k 30 mins more
Isildur1: take my last $$
Isildur1: i dont want it
Isildur1: ::S:S

Brian played him for a couple more hours pushing his profit to almost $4.2 million.  At the end, it appeared Isildur1 had less than $500k in his online roll, from the way he was spreading it on the tables and constantly splitting tables anytime he doubled up.   After 10k hands played over the last 24 hours, Isildur1 simply said "gg" and disappeared.

Regardless if we ever see Isildur1 again or not, I would nominate him for the online player of the year.  Not because of his superior play or bankroll management faults but because he shook up the high stakes world.  He re-invigorated all the sleeping giants of the online cash game world.  He inspired the best to get back in the game and battle against a mighty foe who made them feel uncomfortable with his aggressive and unconventional style.  The buzz around the online poker forums the past 6 weeks has been amazing.  Poker needs its heroes and villains playing and battling regularly.  It both inspires and entertains the many countless thousands below them.

Unfortunately, I fear Isildur1 suffered from what I like to call the Matusow paradigm.

1. I think i'm a great player
2. I can make money any time I want
3. It doesn't matter if I'm irresponsible with my bankroll or if I go bust
4. 'cause I'm a great player
5. I can always be backed by someone and build it all again
6. regardless if i happen to have lost everything I've ever made, I'm a great player!

He may resurface again, like the phoenix rising, but unless Isildur1 learns to manage his playing better the boom and bust cycle will continue to rear its ugly head.  Even if you are the best player in the world, losing 40 buyins in a 24 hour period isn't good bankroll management.  When things aren't going right, you need to know when to say when.