The November Nine of the WSOP

A field of some 6,865 players has been defeated and now only 9 players remain in the world’s most anticipated poker tournament – the WSOP.

The Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino has played host to one of the most spectacular events in poker history. It’s the WSOP 2011 and the Main Event - #58 has showcased sensational poker action.  All that remains now is nine seats and one poker table. The world’s finest poker stars will soon be locking horns in what promises to be an incredibly exciting contest.

At the top of the chip stacks is the Czech Republic’s very own Martin Staszko. He’s the current chip leader on 40,175,000 chips. Not only has he been playing competitive poker at the highest levels, but he’s also a skilled chess player. In this contest so far, he’s been able to net himself a handy $20,000 in 4 cashes. Martin Staszko will make at minimum a guaranteed amount of $782,155 owing to the fact that he is in the final nine.

In second place and not too far behind the chip leader is Eoghan O’Dea. He’s sitting pretty on 33,925,000 chips and he is all the way from Dublin, Ireland.  Eoghan is the son of poker legend Donnacha O’Dea who finished sixth in the 1983 World Series of Poker. He also finished ninth in the 1991 Main Event of the WSOP. Eoghan O’Dea won the iPoker ECOOP III and $315,000 back in 2008, so he’s certainly packing some healthy credentials.

Hailing from Austin, Texas is Matt Giannetti on 24,750,000 chips. Giannetti turned pro in 2006 and he’s already featured at 11 WSOP events. So far he’s earned $500,000 in his career. Behind him is Phil Collins on 23,875,000 chips. He is from South Carolina and he’s already earned $3.5 million playing at PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.

The 5^th placed poker star is Ben Lamb on 20,875,000 chips. He is from Tulsa, Oklahoma and features as one of the most notable stars in the 2011 World Series of Poker. To date he has won $1.3 million in the WSOP.  Belize’s very own Badih Bounahra is on 19,700,000 chips. He has won $72,766 in live poker cash already and he stands to take home a minimum of $781,115 simply by making the November Nine.

The Bottom 3 of the November Nine

Germany’s hope rests with Pius Heinz, who is on 16,425,000 chips in 7^th position. Anton Makievskyi – who is 21 years old - from the Ukraine, is in 8^th place on 13,825,000 chips. The last member of the November Nine is Britain’s own - Samuel Holden on 13,825,000 chips. Should he finish in the selfsame position, he’ll still collect $781,115 for his efforts.

Poker players wanting to enjoy the very latest Texas Hold’em updates can find everything right here on 777.