Out of the many thousands of entries in the 2010 World Series of Poker* only the "November Nine" remain at the final table in Las Vegas. The lineup is led by Michael Mizrachi, who has emerged from wonder boy status in 2005 to being on the cusp of a remarkable opportunity to win the Players' Championship and the Main Event. If Mizrachi can pull off the win at 2010 WSOP*, he will be tied with Frank Kassela for the poker Player of the Year honors. Canadian Jonathan Duhamel was the chip leader as he has played with a dominant style.
Duhamel has emerged from playing professionally online to being a force in live action. He finished 10th in the European Tournament last December. Also in 2010 World Series of Poker action for the November Nine in chip stack order will be; John Dolan, Joseph Cheong, John Racener, Matt Jarvis, Filippo Candio, Soi Nguyen and Jason Senti. Making the November Nine is the ultimate dream for a poker player as it gives immediate worldwide status and considerable street cred, let alone plenty of endorsement opportunities. In recent years the WSOP has been dominated by no-name players that came from the internet ranks. Full tilt poker is running FTOPS XVII qualifiers for as little as $1 to win your share of over $19 million starting August 4th!
Many players have qualified in online poker satellite tournaments to become legendary stars beginning with Chris Moneymaker, who began the trend with his 2003 title. Mizrachi is one of four highly successful poker playing brothers that all cashed in on the main event to make for "The Year of the Mizrachi's." "It's been incredible theatre," said WSOP spokesman Ty Stewart. "Converging storylines centered around a bunch of young guys and a popular pro trying to do something no one thought possible." Nguyen is the exception to the online pro rule as he has played as an amateur. The 37-year old just wanted to play for the experience but now is a member of the famed November Nine.
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About the Author:
Bishop Whitmore is Editor in Chief of VegasSportsOdds.com and has been in the sports entertainment industry for the past 10 years consulting for various media outlets and sportsbooks. View daily sports reviews, poker strategies and casino rooms from Bishop Whitmore at VegasSportsOdds.com.