World Series of Photos: Down to Nine

Throughout the summer, PokerGO has brought fans across the globe exclusive access to World Series of Poker final table streams and Poker Central has been following all the WSOP action. Each day, “World Series of Photos” has told the daily stories from the Rio, so you don’t miss any of the sights of the WSOP. Now, as the WSOP Main Event final table hits PokerGO and ESPN, there are only a few sights left before the summer comes to an end… 

Event #73 – $10,000 World Series of Poker Main Event

To get down to the final table, there has to be some heartbreak and this year, Michael Ruane felt the pain of missing out on the final nine. While Ben Lamb and Antione Saout each made their second-career final table, Ruane came up just short, finishing 10^th after notching a 4^th place result last year. Despite missing out on the final table, many across the poker landscape have been left scratching their heads, much like Ruane was pre-elimination, wondering if his back-to-back runs are the most impressive in the modern era of the Main Event.

Saout is making his second trip to the final table and his first to the July Nine but he isn’t the only Frenchman at the 2017 final table. Benjamin Pollack has nearly $3 million in live tournament earnings and looks poised to turn his first-career Main Event cash in to a massive score. Pollack returns 3^rd in chips, which means he should be all smiles when the final table resumes play on Thursday night.

Damian Salas returns 6^th in chips but you wouldn’t know he was short stacked by the scene around his rail on Monday night. The Argentine became the country’s first-ever Main Event final tablist and after making history, Salas will try to make even more by becoming the first Argentine Main Event champion.

Salas has a long way to go to turn that dream into a reality though, while chip leader Scott Blumstein returns in pole position. There were some quick, passionate celebrations when the field got down to the final nine but then Main Event first-timer quickly returned to an all business mindset after the initial rush of emotions. With Blumstein and John Hesp returning with nearly half the chips in play, it will be interesting to see how they return to the final table and if Blumstein can return to his rails arms to celebrate a Main Event victory in a few days.

Yes, Blumstein and Hesp return with massive stacks and should be some of the last few players to left reaching for a bracelet, pictured top, by the weekend. This is still a poker tournament though and if you have chips, you are still in contention. Watch the final nine go for WSOP gold on ESPN and PokerGO.

Follow all the WSOP Main Event action on PokerGO and ESPN, and watch exclusive WSOP event replays on PokerGO.