Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier, despite not yet owning an elusive World Series of Poker bracelet, today earned a seat into the 2010 WSOP Tournament of Champions, claiming the last of two World Series of Poker sponsor exemptions.

The seat, put up by the WSOP Academy via a nine person winner-take-all sit-n-go, is one of 27 to be filled with some of poker’s top pros, each eventually vying for a piece of a total prize pool worth $1,000,000.  “ElkY” after a difficult session against PokerRoad’s Gavin Smith, Andy Bloch, Liv Boerree, Don Cheadle, Gus Hansen, Sorel Mizzi and Paul Wasicka, finally secured the seat with the elimination of Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi during heads-up play. 

Mizrachi, who by all accounts is having a highly impressive Series thus far, earns nothing for the close call, with the bright side being at least he’s already eligible for the next TOC, having recently won his first WSOP bracelet in the $50,000 buy-in Poker Players Championship.

For more information on the Tournament of Champions, or to help pick the other 20 players still currently receiving votes, visit www.wsop.com.