World Series of Poker 2013 Final Table Preview

One of the most anticipated days on the poker calendar has arrived as the Final Table of the 2013 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event resumes tonight. After four months of promotion and preparation the final nine participants, along with the eyes of the poker industry, return to the Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to finally crown a champion.

Of course, it is more than just the title of Main Event Champion at stake. Over 120 days ago, 6352 people ponied up their $10k to get their shot at a piece of what would become a nearly $60m prizepool. While each of the final nine are guaranteed to walk with a hefty payday, all of them already receiving $733,224, the action at the final table will award 7 of the final 9 over $1m with $8,361,570 going to the eventual winner.

Here’s a look at the 2013 November Nine, their position at the table, their chip stacks and the odds on them winning it all (from the Rio Sportsbook):

*Wagers on the WSOP Main Event Champion close at 4:30pm PST.

The Big Stacks

JC Tran not only enters the Final Table with the most chips but also as one of the most accomplished November Niners ever. The two-time WSOP bracelet winner, WCOOP winner, World Poker Tour Champion and dedicated family man has a clear experience edge that should serve him well under the bright lights of poker’s biggest night. Tran is also headed in to the final table with an extra boost of confidence as he recently took 2nd in the WPT Alpha8 tournament in August for over $500k.

Amir Lehavot is right behind Tran, both in chips and experience on the felt. Lehavot is also a WSOP bracelet winner and multi-time 6-figure cash machine. While this will be his biggest score, Amir’s steady poker grind since 2007, massive Final Table stack and patience style of play could find this Bay 101 regular in the mix deep into the night.

Marc-Etienne McLaughlin is often paired with friend and WSOP Main Event Champ Jonathan Duhamel, but this Canadian is currently working on his 3rd top 100 finish in the WSOP Main Event since 2009 and now boasts nearly $1.5m in live tournament earnings headed into tonight. With his current guaranteed score here he jumps to #40 on the Canadian All-Time Money list, which is ahead of Doug Lee mind you, and should he go all the way–=he’ll become a Canadian poker legend, 3rd only to Daniel Negreanu and Duhamel on his country’s All-Time List.

Middle of the Pack

Jay Farber is a bit of an unknown commodity with his exposure on ESPN focusing on his hard-partying ways and tattooed “guns”. But with poker minds like Ben Lamb on his rail and over 60 big blinds, Farber could be 8 players away from throwing one of the largest parties the WSOP has ever seen.

Ryan Reiss knows what he’s doing. The 23 year-old WSOP circuit grinder burst on to the scene with a 2nd place finish in the 2012 WSOP Circuit Main Event for almost $240k and was a virtual “beast” at the 2013 LAPC. His Final Table appearance marks his 4th cash of the Series and with his guaranteed prize money for the Main Event, this one-time Michigan State business major, and poker dealer, is going to have over $1m in live tournament earnings to put to work.

Sylvain Loosli might be your pick if you were looking to put your money on an “online guy.” The 26-year old Frenchman may have virtually no previous live tournament resume, but the 25/50 NLHE online grinder is being compared to a host of previous Main Event Champs, like Peter Eastgate, Duhamel and Pius Heinz in both background and previous live tournament experience. With just about 50 big blinds behind once play starts, there’s plenty of time for Sylvain to make his move to try and bring the bracelet back to the EU.

Seats in the Back

Michiel Brummelhuis is finally making a name for himself outside of his home turf. The Dutch poker pro has taken down a 1k WCOOP and had 7 previous WSOP cashes on route to claiming the #9 spot on the Netherlands All-Time Money List, but prior to this he has been a pros pro. He has already surpassed Marcel Luske in being the only Dutchman to make the Final Table, but should he come back from being in the bottom 3rd in chips, he might just be able to go from feel good story to the most popular player in the Netherlands.

Mark Newhouse was perhaps previously best known for his 2006 World Poker Tour title and the $1.5m first place prize that came along with it. But that was a long time ago and since then Mark’s bankroll and reputation have taken a hit. Now, the Ivey Poker sponsored player is looking to get back in the spotlight by grinding his 8th place stack back into contention. For being only 28, the polarizing Newhouse has been to the top of the mountain and back down again and is hoping to turn this opportunity into a new life changing event.

David Benefield, the online beast known as “Raptor”, had once “quit” poker. Well, he’s back and while his live tournament resume may not have bracelets and WPT titles included, there’s no denying the experience of this one-time Poker After Dark player. Perhaps no one at the Final Table is coming in with as much momentum as Benefield. He has been on a tear since the WSOP hiatus began and has racked up nearly $600k in tournament earnings in 4 months. Benefield may be sitting on only 16 big blinds, but there are few that doubt that he will know exactly what to do with them.

Here’s the remaining tournament payout structure:

1st – $8,361,570
2nd – $5,174,357
3rd – $3,727,823
4th – $2,792,533
5th – $2,106,893
6th – $1,601,024
7th – $1,225,356
8th – $944,650
9th – $733,224 (all 9 participants have already collected this payday)

Play is set to resume at 4:45pm PST with the nearly-live broadcast kicking on at 5:00pm PST on ESPN 2. Anchored by the tried and true duo of Lon McEachern and Norman Chad, the broadcast will also feature in-booth commentary by one of the best pro-player-turned analysts, Antonio Esfaniari. The charming Kara Scott will be in place for “sideline” reports as well as exit interviews. The action will continue as the tournament plays down to 2 or 3 players, depending on time, and then is set to resume tomorrow night at 6pm PST.