11/3/09 - November 7th is a date many pokerheads have outlined in red on their calendars; after weeks of anticipation it marks the start - or re-start - of the World Series of Poker action, specifically the final table climax in which nine finalists battle it out.
Besting 6 494 other entrants in the WSOP main event to make the final table is an achievement in itself, and the rewards are considerable. Even the first man eliminated from the final table will take home $1 263 602, and the winner will accrue fame, respect....and a main prize valued at $8 546 435 this year.
The November Nine will return to the Rio's Penn and Teller Theater in Las Vegas on Saturday at noon Pacific Standard Time and play down to two players. Starting at 10 p.m. PST Monday, those two final survivors will go head-to-head to decide who is the 2009 WSOP main event champion.
The final table episode will then be broadcast to the world on the ESPN television network on Tuesday, starting at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Here's the make up with chip counts of the final table, which will begin in level 33 with blinds at 120 000-240 000 with a 30 000 ante.
1: Darvin Moon : 58 930 000
2: Eric Buchman : 34 800 000
3: Steven Begleiter : 29 885 000
4: Jeff Shulman : 19 580 000
5: Joe Cada : 13 215 000
6: Kevin Schaffel : 12 390 000
7: Phil Ivey : 9 765 000
8: Antoine Saout : 9 500 000
9: James Akenhead : 6 800 000
Average Chip Count: 21 646 666
Final table payouts look like this:
1st Place: $8 546 435
2nd Place: $5 182 601
3rd Place: $3 479 485
4th Place: $2 502 787
5th Place: $1 953 395
6th Place: $1 587 133
7th Place: $1 404 002
8th Place: $1 300 228
9th Place: $1 263 602
