News / Chris Edwards / 29 July 2008 / Leave a comment

Darus Suharto is a 39 year old amateur player originally from Indonesia. He is strictly a recreational player, playing only at weekends and around his full time job, but still managing to put 15 hours a week in. He has 12,520,000 chips to take to the final table.

He lives in Toronto, Canada and has an MBA from Indiana University where he started playing poker with friends.

Although not an experienced player, we know from previous years that anyone can win. What's interesting is that Suharto's story is very similar to a past amateur champion. He was unaware of the WSOP before seeing a satellite on an internet poker room for $80. He won that and qualified for a $650 satellite which he took down for his main event seat. He also works as an accountant.

This was in 2006 and he cashed in the event for £26,389, coming 448th. This is his only major cash before becoming one of the November Nine. He also qualified for this years Main Event by winnings two satellites. Suharto is very humble when describing himself as a player. He noted that in 2006 he was a 'donkey' and when asked about it he said: 'I'm still a donkey, (but a) lucky donkey now.'

Asked about one hand that changed things around, he talks about one hand on day 2 when he held 99. UTG raised and he flat called with the 99 and the button, who he describes as loose aggressive player also made the call. The flop was the Jackpot for Suharto, 10 10 9. Hoping the UTG raiser would bet, he checked and Suharto checked too now hoping the button would bet, but he checked also. The turn was an interesting card, an 8 giving lots of straight possibilities. The UTG raiser now led out for around 1/3 of the pot and Suharto made the raise and was surprised when the button re-raised.

Suharto said that he would usually go all in, but decided to flat call after the UTG player folded. The river was a terrible card, another 8 and Suharto checked getting an interesting check from the button who held K 10. Suharto says alot of the players were impressed with his laydown and although he lost the hand felt like he had been given a second chance.

Asked about what he's going to do to prepare for the final table he has stated he may get some coaching and that he has already been contacted by some pro's.