News / Editor / 16 July 2008 / Leave a comment

The final table has now been established at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas but the action has of course been put on hold, with the 'November Nine', as they have been dubbed, given a 117-day break before play resumes later this year, writes Rob Eddy.

It does seem a little bizarre that after a month of non-stop poker and 11 gruelling days of Main Event action, we still will not know the identity of the world champion until long after the WSOP Europe, which takes place from September 19 in London, has been and gone.

In a Series in Vegas that has been described as 'the year of the pro' after a number of the more established poker stars won bracelets, the last rites of the WSOP has a very different look as some of the sport's lesser lights will be screened 'almost live' this November.

At least they won't have to wait until they have been sent to the rail at the final table before collecting their cash as they can all take home the ninth place prize of $900,670, with the rest dished out when they return.

The last-man standing stands to win $9,119,338 as well as that first gold bracelet, as none of the remaining players have previously won a world series event, and Europe has two young guns well placed to challenge.

Peter Eastgate hails from Odense in Denmark and is enjoying his first year cashing in on major tournaments. It could turn out to be the best year ever for the 22-year-old who is fourth in the chip count with 18,375,000.

The other European on the final table is 27-year-old Ivan Demidov from Moscow, Russia, who is also relatively new to the game, having started in early 2006. However, he is even better placed with the second largest stack of 24,400,000 and may well take some stopping.

Whether either player decides to take on the WSOPE in the interim remains to be seen as the media frenzy expected over the delayed final table may take its toll.

However, it would give them a chance to hone their skills and if they were to go on and win, waving that gold bracelet in front of their rivals may just give them the edge.