After an intense wait of over three months, the final nine competitors in the 2015 World Series of Poker Main Event are poised to return to the game, all vying for the grand prize of $8 million and the distinguished WSOP Main Event bracelet.
As the lights of the Penn & Teller Theater shine brightly and the cameras of ESPN start rolling, Joe McKeehen, the chip leader, along with his teammates Thomas Cannuli and Neil Blumenfield, represent 888poker proudly, all hoping to showcase their brand from November 8 to 10.
This weekend marks the climax of a quest that began in early July, leading to a moment that all nine participants aspired to, though they understood the odds were slim, with only 0.1% of the original 6,420 players making it this far.
The dream becomes reality
Reflecting on his early weeks after securing a place among the November Nine, Blumenfield shared, 'At first, it felt surreal, almost like a fantasy. I believed I would wake up and find out I had been eliminated on Day 2 against a pair of aces.'
Blumenfield’s initial reaction was to stick to his pre-emptive plans for the Main Event, which turned out to be a refreshing break after an intense period of high-stakes poker.
'Immediately after the Main ended, I took a three-week trip to France with my girlfriend, where I mostly avoided poker and focused on other interests,' Blumenfield recounted.
However, Blumenfield and McKeehen didn’t remain inactive for too long; they both participated in various tournaments during their downtime. Notably, Blumenfield reached the final table at an HPT event in Reno, while McKeehen scored a victory at a $1,500 event during the Wynn Classic held in October.
Both players appear to be in a good headspace and adequately prepared for the high-stakes competition ahead, although McKeehen has been receiving extra attention, largely due to his significant chip lead and the elimination of renowned player Daniel Negreanu shortly before the November Nine.
Negreanu, a highly regarded poker player with a substantial fan base, was a favorite at that stage of the tournament, placing McKeehen in a position where he could easily be seen as the antagonist; however, the way the footage was portrayed on ESPN changed that perception. painted 'I feel like I’m drawing the most interest due to my position. The experiences have been quite varied,' McKeehen noted. 'I wasn't concerned about my public image; I was confident that I’d be presented positively, which is what truly matters to me.'
While many might feel the weight of the world on their shoulders as the chip leader and possibly the most seasoned competitor at the table (apart from Max Steinberg, the only one with a WSOP bracelet), McKeehen is committed to continuing the strategies that brought him this far.
Fortune favors the brave!
'I don’t worry about public opinion,' McKeehen asserted. 'I’m concentrating on my game, and confidence has never been a problem for me.'
Although Blumenfield may not have the extensive experience that McKeehen, Steinberg, or most of the other finalists possess, he remains unfazed by the high-stakes situation he’s found himself in.
As the perhaps least seasoned player among the final nine, Blumenfield has found that some unfortunate circumstances leading up to the Main Event have inadvertently benefited him in preparation for the final table.
'I lost my job just two weeks prior to the Main Event, which relieved me of that stress,' Blumenfield explained. 'This has given me the opportunity to dedicate more time to poker than I would otherwise have been able to.'
Life has generally proceeded as usual for the members of the November Nine, though their appearances on national television have rendered them popular topics on social media platforms.
'I've received numerous friend requests and LinkedIn messages from people I either didn’t know or hadn't spoken to in ages,' Blumenfield mentioned, although his experience in familiar poker circles during tournaments remained more muted than expected. 'I thought I would be recognized more in Florida, but most people didn’t know who I was.'
Blumenfield experienced a funny moment while out for a meal, spotting a familiar face on the TV screen.
'Seeing myself on television is quite amusing,' said Blumenfield. 'A couple of weeks ago, I was at a pizza place, just enjoying a slice when I happened to look up and see poker on the screen—ten seconds later, my face appeared! That was a bit surreal.'
This wasn't the only instance Blumenfield caught the WSOP broadcasts on ESPN—he took it upon himself to get fully informed for the competition.
'Absolutely, I watched all the coverage,' Blumenfield confirmed. 'I've reviewed all the hand histories to familiarize myself with the other players, so I feel quite prepared with all the events from July available to me.'
Similarly, McKeehen made it a point to stay updated with all the relevant broadcasts and discovered some unexpected insights.
'I've seen everything,' McKeehen stated. 'The decisions some players made—especially during hands I was involved in—were surprising to me.'
The players of the 2015 November Nine share a unique bond forged through this singular experience, just as every group has since the inception of this concept in 2008. Coincidentally, several of this year’s November Nine were previously acquainted from their shared playing history on the East Coast and at various venues throughout their careers.
It’s a Small-World Series of Poker!
'Many of us were friends before the Main and we'll continue to maintain those friendships afterwards,' McKeehen shared. He also had the chance to collaborate with a fellow alumnus of the November Nine. 'I played with Dennis Phillips in a tournament at the Wynn, where we discussed what that experience was like seven years ago.'
During a visit to Hollywood, Florida, Blumenfield encountered a few of his final table counterparts.
'At the Seminole Hard Rock, I bumped into Joe McKeehen and Patrick Chan,' he reported. 'I spent some time with them. I know Josh played there earlier, but I'm not sure if he participated in the Main Event.'
While we may not know all the details of their conversations, Blumenfield has frequently discussed the significance of this opportunity with other poker players, who fully recognize its uniqueness.
'I've had discussions with other poker enthusiasts who appreciate how extraordinary this experience is and how fortunate I am to participate,' Blumenfield noted. 'I've shared similar feelings with friends and family, who understand a bit, but perhaps not as deeply as my poker friends do.'
'For me, it's particularly special because I was primarily a recreational player,' Blumenfield continued. 'I certainly don't rank among the top nine players in this tournament. Even for a skilled player, achieving this level takes an exceptional turn of events, so I feel incredibly grateful to be where I am.'
With the final table of the 2015 WSOP Main Event looming just hours away rather than days, the time for intense preparation has arrived for the remaining nine players. Most have made their way to Las Vegas, yet neither McKeehen nor Blumenfield seem focused on playing poker at this stage.
'None,' McKeehen responded when asked how many hands he intended to play before Sunday. 'I've been in Las Vegas for a while, but haven't touched the tables since my win at the Wynn.'
Blumenfield has no need for any major adjustments regarding time zones, but he's eager to align his schedule with what it will require for the Main Event's duration.
'In terms of time zone, I'm good since I'm in the same one,' Blumenfield stated. 'The tournament starts at 5:00 PM, which is later than usual. I want to tweak my sleeping pattern a bit since I'll be staying with my girlfriend, who wakes up early, making it challenging to sleep in.'
Despite settling into his Las Vegas lodging, Blumenfield finds little temptation to spend any time at the poker tables.
'I promised myself I wouldn't play cash games for three months after July, and I'm certainly not going to start now,' Blumenfield declared. 'I believe I'm in a strong position with my game currently, so playing smaller tournaments could be counterproductive. I've been working diligently through last week, and while I’ll do a bit of preparation in the next couple of days, it's mainly about coasting in and feeling confident with where I stand right now.'
Joe McKeehen, Thomas Cannuli, and Neil Blumenfield from 888 poker are gearing up to face their competitors at the final table of the November Niners during the 2015 WSOP.
With their eyes set on victory, the trio from 888poker is preparing to tackle the high-stakes challenges that await them at the WSOP Final Table.
The 888poker representatives are making their way to the final showdown of the 2015 World Series of Poker.
After an exciting three-month wait, the final nine contenders who have made it through the grueling 2015 World Series of Poker Main Event are set to dive back into the thrilling competition, aiming for an incredible $8 million prize and the prestigious WSOP Main Event bracelet.
As the lights dim in the Penn & Teller Theater and the cameras from ESPN roll, Joe McKeehen, the leading chip holder, along with fellow players Thomas Cannuli and Neil Blumenfield, will proudly display the 888 poker logo during the live broadcast, all hoping to wear the patch from November 8 until the final moments on November 10.