The October Nine

The October Nine.

It doesen't quite have the same alliterative ring as the November Nine does it? But in a year when the players making up the final table at poker's biggest tournament are, shall we say, less than a dream team, perhaps it is fitting. This year, as we got down to thirty or so players, all the big names had gone but there was still plenty of excitement as it looked certain that one - and quite possibly two - women would be making the final table. Norway's Elisabeht Hille looked very strong but a bad run of luck put her out in 11th place - two spots from glory. One of the hands that sealed Hille'd fate was when she doubled up Frenchwoman Gaelle Baumann. Baumann made an impressive charge but also fell just short, finishing in 10th. So instead of a final table with two European ladies, we once again get an all-male group. And if that were not bad enough, all but one of the fellows is American. Just when it looked like poker was becoming a truly international game, we get a final table that has little appeal to viewers outside of the USA.

 So who are the October Nine?

Jeremy Ausmus, a 32-year-old Vegas poker pro, will be the short stack with 9,805,000 in chips. A native of Colorado, where he earned an economics degree, he has been making his living playing poker for the last six years.

Jacob Balsinger, a 21-year-old political science student at Arizona State, is the youngest and least experienced player at the final table, and with 13,115,000 in chips he is not seen as a threat to win the whole shebang. But stranger things have happened.

Although only 27, Robert Salaburu has been playing since he was 16. He has 15,155,000 in chips going into the final table. "It's awesome to have a chance to win a shit-ton of money," he says.

At 58, Michael Esposito is an old-school grinder. He doesn't play on-line. He doesn't tweet. He's a commodities broker from Seaford New York. For an older amateur to make it in the day of young pros is a story-line that will probably be pushed for want of other story lines. He has 16,260,000

Stephen Gee, 56, won a WSOP gold bracelet two years ago in a smaller NLHE event, so he is definitely one of the sharks. With only 16,860,000 going into the final table, his experience still makes him a very legitimate threat. verbose (at least away from the table) he is a likable guy who would make a good champion.

Russell Thomas, 24, is a part-time pro who is now, probably going to be a full time pro. With a healthy 24,800,00 he can push the smaller stacks around.

Also 24, Greg Merson is an on line player who has moved to Canada to be able to keep playing on line. He has already won a bracelet at this years' 10K six-handed NLHE event, so he is running hot. But will he still be hot a few months from now? 28,725,000 in chips will help.

Andras Koroknai, from Hungary, is the lone non-American at the final table. He is no stranger to big tournaments, having won the 2010 WPT LA Classic event - a win worth 1.7 million. He has 29,375,000. 

The big chip leader is Jesse Sylvia with 43,875,000. A 26-year-old pro currently living in Vegas.

So, one of these nine will be the next champion. Let's go, Stephen Gee!