2009 WSOP Main Event Final Table: The Chip Leaders

Bloggers / Dave Allan / 02 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

We conclude our little preview of the upcoming WSOP Main Event Final Table with the three players with the most chips, The Chip Leaders.

Steven Begleiter - 3rd place with 29,885,000 chips

The 47-year old, father of three gained entry to the Main Event through his local poker league and has promised 20% of any winnings to the said league. The corporate strategy manager of Bear Stearns, a major investment bank, only plays recreationally, and for small stakes, but takes the game seriously. Although he planned to spend the four month break before the final table on holiday with his family, he found time to play the $9,800 Legends of Poker tournament in Los Angeles, reaching the final table and finishing 9th for $39,240. This was the same tournament fellow November Niner, Kevin Schaffel finished second in.

Eric Buchman - 2nd place with 34,800,000 chips

Eric Buchman graduated from University with a bachelors degree but never bothered to get a normal 9-till-5 job. Already a keen poker player in his college days, Buchman found he was making substantial money so never found the need for a proper job. A $15,000 tournament win, followed by a $222,000 casino jackpot promotion win gave Buchman a substantial bankroll, which he has used to win over $900,000 from live tournaments in his 8-year career. His poker skills, coupled with his giant chip stack will make him one of the favourites when the final table gets underway on November 7.

Darvin Moon - 1st place with 58,930,000 in chips

Your chip leader going into the Main Event's final table is the 45-year old logger from Oakland, Maryland, Darvin Moon. This is Moon's first notable live tournament cash despite having played the game for many years, learning the basics from his grandfather many years ago. His tight style of play and his monstrous chip stack will make it difficult for anyone to cut him down but he is definitely prone to making mistakes and could pay off someone handsomely. In my opinion it would be bad for poker if Moon wins the Main Event as he has promised to shun the limelight and disappear from the scene, much like Jerry Yang back in 2007 and poker needs a good ambassador right now.

2009 WSOP Main Event Final Table: The Contenders

2009 WSOP Main Event Final Table: The Long Shots