With the 2011 November Nine officially set, and poker sites across the net rolling out lame profiles on every final table player and their brother, one thing definitely sticks out here: the balance in chip counts among the participants.
Typically, one or two players break away from the pack at this point, and walk into the final table with a massive lead. For example, last year, Jonathan Duhamel and John Dolan began the Main Event with 65,975,000 and 46,250,000 chips, compared to 23,525,000 chips held by the next closest competitor, Joseph Cheong. This being said, take a look at the chip counts from this year:
1. Martin Staszko – 40,175,000 chips
2. Eoghan O’Dea – 33,925,000 chips
3. Matt Giannetti – 24,750,000 chips
4. Phil Collins – 23,875,000 chips
5. Ben Lamb – 20,875,000 chips
6. Badih Bou-Nahra – 19,700,000 chips
7. Pius Heinz – 16,425,000 chips
8. Anton Makiievskiy – 13,825,000 chips
9. Samuel Holden – 12,375,000 chips
While there may be some separation between Martin Staszko/Eoghan O’Dea and the other players, the middle of the pack isn’t too far off. This being said, it’s going to be hard to predict a winner from the current players.
Obviously Ben Lamb has to be a favorite since he’s within striking range, and is running hotter than Erik Seidel in overpriced, High Roller events. However, there are plenty of other pros involved in this tournament who are capable of taking the $8.7 million top prize.
O’Dea has plenty of experience, and a solid tournament resume with over $700k in winnings. Adding online poker skill into the equation, Phil Collins ($3 million in online winnings) is just as successful as anybody at this final table. Regardless of skill though, it’s going to be tough to peg one or two favorites with how close the chip stacks are running.
