Hats off to James Akenhead on making the final table in the World Series of Poker Main Event - at the tender age of 26 - guaranteeing himself his first million dollar payday ($1,263,602 to be precise, at the very least). A very good aggressive player who's worked his way up the rankings, since I used to play in the same tournaments against him down The Western. He's one of the shortstacks (if you can call 7,000,000 chips a low rack), with Phil Ivey on not much more .... but things can change very quickly in a poker tourny! So let's hope James can really p i s s the Septics off and come first, landing at Heathrow with $8,546,435 in prize money sticking out of his back pocket! Not bad for a lad who used to work down the Underground only a couple of years back .......
The final table isn't played until later in the year (this change in 'tradition' was made last year), for TV purposes ..... we're not the only country in the world where events dance to the Television Moguls tune. However, it does work in the 'November Nine's' favour, as it gives them time to sign lucrative sponsorship deals (Pokerstars and FullTilt fight tooth and nail to have 'their' players 'badged up' for the worldwide TV audience). I wonder if JA will get a 'money top up', as he had been signed by FT last month. before the Main Event even began. Telly wise I think it is live on ESPN - however if you register @ wsop.pkr.com, you can it watch online for free (obviously you won't be able to see the 'hole cards') Nov 7 -10.
