KK running out of time

News / Dave Allan / 21 October 2008 / Leave a comment

Time is very much against the man known as 'KK' and this is no reference to football or the crazy goings on at St James' Park as Kevin Keegan has already jumped ship, writes Rob Eddy.

No, this is in reference to Kelly Kim who reconvenes next month with the rest of the 'November Nine' in Las Vegas for the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event, with the winner set to walk away with over $9million.

However, the odds are stacked against the 31-year-old Californian poker pro as he will begin play with the shortest stack of the field, just 2,620,000 which is nearly 8 million fewer than his nearest rival, Craig Marquis, with 10,210,000.

When play does get underway on November 9, there will be nearly 22 minutes left of level 33, which has blinds of 120,000-240,000 and an ante of 30,000.

And, unsurprisingly, Kim is a big outsider in the betting with Betfair to turn the tables and his micro-stack into a coveted gold bracelet.

However, he has perhaps already caused a surprise by making the final table after being last in the chip count with 13 players left, but somehow managing to survive until Dean Hamrick 'bubbled' in 10th spot.

Kim is no stranger to success having cashed 35 times in major tournaments, with his two previous WSOP cashes coming in 2007. He also has eight money finishes on the World Poker Tour, while his biggest tournament win was at the Grand Slam of Poker back in 2003.

Kim has played every Main Event at the WSOP since that year and he remains philosophical of his chances of glory in what is by far and away his biggest tournament payday, regardless of whether or not he busts out first.

"I've already reached my goal and everything else is just gravy," KK said. "Obviously I'm in critical condition, but if I double or triple early then it's on."

With the delay of the final table, there has been the chance for players to get some coaching or advice, but - although Kim is not against it - he feels there is little point in getting any himself, given his short stack.

"My situation is a bit unique. I know that I am a short stack and the bottom line is that I have find situations to get it in and double up," he told Poker News. "I don't see how anyone can tell me anything other than that with a few minor details such as be as patient as possible."