Paddy Power Poker

63 players remain as the final table looms at the 2009 WSOP Main Event. Similar to last year, there will be a four month break before the ‘November nine’ resume, giving amateurs the opportunity of coaching.

All eyes, however, are on the seemingly unassailable Phil Ivey, and fellow pro Antonio Esfandiari. Ivey roosts third on 6,345,000 chips, in his quest to claim a third 2009 bracelet, with Esfandiari in 6th with 5,610,000. Victory for Ivey would further cement his status as the greatest player in the world, and perhaps of all time.

A number of other big names lost momentum on Day 7 and hit the rail. Former Main Event Champions Peter Eastgate and Joe Hachem exited, as well as pros David Benyamine and J.C. Tran. Last year’s Main Event final tablist Dennis Philips still has hopes of repeating the feat, as he lies in 43rd.

Meanwhile, no-one generates publicity quite like Tom ‘durrrr’ Dwan. The internet wiz-kid is planning on making the ‘durrr challenge’ (50,000 hands on 4 tables, where Dwan offers the challenger 3-1 on $500k if they can record a profit) live. The venue is set to be London, at the end of September, round when the WSOPE commences. Dwan is proposing a $500/1000 heads-up match over 500 hands, with a minimum $500k buy-in. The 3-1 odds Dwan offered online were on the premise of playing 4 tables simultaneously, which he perceives to give him an edge, so it’s unlikely this will be offered live.

Poker enthusiasts will be hoping notorious Dwan dissenter Luke ‘FullFlush1’ Schwartz will take up the challenge. The high-stakes Hold’em player and PokerStars Sunday Million winner, who heralds from the UK, recently referred to Dwan as ‘geeky’ and ‘cringeworthy’ on a PokerShow Live radio interview. Schwartz is known for his petulant chat at the Full Tilt tables, and will be one of the favourites to take up the challenge.