So, like most of the poker world, we’ve all been eagerly wathcing the WSOP 2009 in the Penbn & Teller Theatre at the Last Vegas Rio Hotel & Casino, and things are definately heating up. I’ve seen old names such as Jeff Shulman and Phil Ivey make the headlines (as per usual) but they are joined by a mix of interesting players – 4 of them becoming overnight names since they become members of the November Nine. All nine are fighting out for a prize pool of $8,546, 43. Of course; on the line as well in the one of the much coveted WSOP Main Event Bracelet that will put these players into the list of ‘greatest of all time’.
The Facts:
Chip Leader Darvin Moon – Seat 1 – 58.9 mill in chips – Followed by James Akenhead with 6.8mill, Phil Ivey (9.75), Kevin Schaffel (12.4), Steve Begleiter(29.89),Eric Buchman (34.8), Joe Cada (13.2), (Antoine Saout (9.5) and the well known Jeff Shulman (19.6)
The Action:
It’s level 33 of the tournmanet structure (as much as I love poker, this is alot of poker to watch, and really I’ve not had the time) with the blinds being set at 120K/240K with a 30K ante.
Where my moneys at:
Like most bookmakers out there, I’m backing the big stack. Also might be the fact that Moon is literally just another amateur play like most of us. From what I’ve heard he’s a logger from Maryland, never ever played an online game of poker (Idea: Need to send him a PokerTime email ) and he won his seat from a $130 satellite in West Virgina. I’ve always been a fan of the underdog.
Where everyone else’s moneys at:
Phil Ivey. But in my humble opinion – he doesn’t have the chip count to play creatively.
The Benjamins:
That $8.5 million dollar check is the third largest in poker tournament history – Second place $5.2 million, and then payout trickling down to ‘measly’ $1.25 million for the last contender.
Predicitons:
My money goes to Shulman, but I’m really hoping for Moon to hit the final 3