Articles Trend

AP File PhotoThe November Nine: from left, James Akenhead, Jeff Shulman, Phil Ivey, Antoine Saout, Darvin Moon, Joseph Cada, Steven Begleiter, Kevin Schaffel and Eric Buchman.Here's another look at the nine players who make up this year's World Series of Poker final table, by order of ascending chip count:

9. James Akenhead (6,800,000)

• Age: 26
• Hometown: London, England
• Notable: Former train conductor. ... Finished ninth at WSOPE main event in September. ... Has 25 tournament cashes over the past two years, including a runner-up finish in a WSOP event in 2008.
  

• Age: 25
• Hometown: Saint Martin des Champs, France
• Notable: Former engineering student. ... Finished seventh at WSOPE main event in September. ... Won WSOP main event seat via $50 online satellite.
  

• Age: 33
• Hometown: Las Vegas
• Notable: Owns seven WSOP bracelets, including two victories in 2009 World Series. ... Has more than $12 million in career tournament earnings. A finish of fifth or better will move him to first on the all-time list. ... Widely considered poker's best player.

AP File PhotoAt 51, Kevin Schaffel is the oldest player at the final table.

• Age: 51
• Hometown: Coral Springs, Fla.
• Notable: Oldest member of the November Nine. ... Finished 324th in the 2008 WSOP main event, winning $32,000, and also was 42nd in 2004 main event for $60,000. ... He's a scratch golfer.
  

• Age: 21
• Hometown: Shelby Township, Mich.
• Notable: Can break Peter Eastgate's record of youngest main event champion by 340 days. ... Had two other cashes at 2009 WSOP. ... Has more than $500,000 in career tournament winnings online.
  

• Age: 34
• Hometown: Seattle
• Notable: Finished seventh in 2000 WSOP main event, which was won by Chris Ferguson. ... Father Barry won the WSOPE main event in September. ... Receiving coaching from 11-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth.
  

• Age: 47
• Hometown: Chappaqua, New York
• AP File PhotoSitting second in chips, poker pro Eric Buchman is the pick of ESPN's Lon McEachern to win the title.Notable: Worked for 24 years on Wall Street with Bear Stearns & Co. ... Won his WSOP main event seat out of a 22-player home game.
  

• Age: 29
• Hometown: Valley Stream, N.Y.
• Notable: Nine cashes WSOP since 2004 for $320,893, including 114th at the main event in 2006 for $51,129. ... Best WSOP finish is second in 2006 limit hold'em event.
  

• Age: 45
• Hometown: Oakland, Md.
• Notable: Self-employed logger who won his seat via a live satellite in Wheeling, W.Va. ... Doesn't own a computer, credit card or cell phone. ... Never put all of his chips at risk en route to the final table.