WSOP 2009: Frequently Asked Questions
With the resumption of the final table of the WSOP only days away, interest in the event is surging. Below we’ve assembled quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the 2009 WSOP.
What are the stacks for the final table of the WSOP?
Below are the chip totals for everyone at the final table of the 2009 Main Event of the World Series of Poker:
Darvin Moon – 58,930,000
Eric Buchman – 34,800,000
Steven Begleiter – 29,885,000
Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000
Joe Cada – 13,215,000
Kevin Schaffel – 12,390,000
Phil Ivey – 9,765,000
Antoine Saout – 9,500,000
James Akenhead – 6,800,000
How many total chips are in play at this year’s WSOP Main Event?
194,820,000 total chips (6494 players each began with 30,000 in chips).
How many total chips were in play last year?
136,900,000 (6844 players each started with 20,000 in chips)
What level are the players at when the return to play?
They are in level 33 with approximately 24 minutes left. Levels are 120 minutes each. Level 33 blinds are 120k / 240k with a 30k ante.
Level 34 has 150k / 300k blinds with a 40k ante.
That means the average stack going into Level 24, assuming no one is eliminated in the closing minutes of Level 33, will be about 70BBs, or 21.6 million chips.
Where can I find the rest of the structure for the WSOP final table blinds and antes?
The official structure for the Main Event of the 2009 WSOP can be found here.
Where is everyone seated?
Players retain the same seats they had when play ended. Darvin Moon is the button. The seating arrangement is as show below:
Who is the favorite to win the 2009 WSOP?
Oddsmakers have Darvin Moon as a strong, if not prohibitive favorite. Popular money is behind Phil Ivey, but many think that Eric Buchman is the best value from a betting perspective. Read more on WSOP betting lines and props here.
Who are these people?
Unlike recent final tables, this final table of the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event is chock full of people who have solid poker resumes. Among the nine, only Darvin Moon counts as a true amateur, and Steve Begleiter is best classified as a recreational player. For brief bios on the 2009 November Nine, read this.
When does the final table resume play?
Play resumes in the Penn and Teller Theater at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 7th and runs through the 10th. Times have yet to be announced.
When does ESPN show the final table of the WSOP?
ESPN will show their coverage of the final table November 10th from 9-11:30 p.m EST.
How much does Phil Ivey have riding on sidebets on the WSOP?
ESPN The Magazine recently quoted Ivey’s assistant citing a number of $4 million – we’re assuming that’s Ivey’s potential win and not liability, as he would have gotten a good price on his money for any “Ivey wins” bet (current odds for that are 4-1 at major sites). Earlier reports put the totals as high as $12 million. We’ll never know for sure.
Is Jeff Shulman really going to throw the Main Even bracelet in the garbage if he wins?
He said he was, now he says he won’t. Shulman apparently has other plans for the bracelet now, according to a segment on a recent episode of Inside Deal (also featuring November Nine member Kevin Schaffel) that you can watch a bit down the page in this post.
Who is sponsoring who at this year’s WSOP final table?
Darvin Moon – Unaffiliated
James Akenhead – Full Tilt Poker
Phil Ivey – Full Tilt Poker
Kevin Schaffel – PokerStars
Steven Begleiter – PokerStars
Eric Buchman – Full Tilt Poker
Joe Cada – PokerStars
Antoine Saout – Everest Poker
Jeff Shulman – 19,580,000
What is this November Nine thing anyway? I thought the WSOP was in the summer
You’re right, it is. Starting in 2008, the WSOP made the decision to delay play of the final table of the WSOP Main Event in an attempt to increase public interest and ratings for ESPN. ESPN has always had a bit of a weird animal with the WSOP – they’re generally showing their coverage weeks or months after the outcome of the big event is already known. The November Nine delay remedies that issue, and its popularity in 08 and 09 strongly suggests that the format is likely to stick around for years to come.
What are the payouts for this year’s final table of the World Series of Poker?
1. $8.5 million
2. $5.2 million
3. $3.5 million
4. $2.5 million
5. $2.0 million
6. $1.6 million
7. $1.4 million
8. $1.3 million
9. $1.25 million
Where can I get live updates on the WSOP?
The best source for chip counts and the like is the official results page for the Main Event at WSOP.com located here. We’ll also have live coverage and photos that you can access via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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