It’s been 11 days since a near record field of 6,844 hopefuls first started playing the 2008 WSOP Main Event. Yesterday that number was reduced to a mere nine.

Each player takes home the $900,670 that he is guaranteed, and the rest will be awarded this fall at the final table.

On November 9th, 2008, the following nine players will return to the felt with 21 minutes and 50 seconds left in level 33:

Seat 1: Dennis Phillips - 26,295,000
Seat 2: Craig Marquis - 10,210,000
Seat 3: Ylon Schwartz - 12,525,000
Seat 4: Scott Montgomery - 19,690,000
Seat 5: Darus Suharto - 12,520,000
Seat 6: David ‘Chino’ Rheem - 10,230,000
Seat 7: Ivan Demidov - 24,400,000
Seat 8: Kelly Kim - 2,620,000
Seat 9: Peter Eastgate - 18,375,000

I’m sure the odd makers will be out soon. I’m giving odds on Dennis Phillips to take it though… he’s been a dominating chip leader for a few days now. Playing solid poker and steadily increasing his chip lead. However, with five months for the players to study each other and get coaching, things might very well change.

As WSOP commissioner Jeffrey Pollack stated, “Our intent is to provide an even stronger tournament for all poker players and the entire poker industry. Now fans will ask ‘who will win’ our coveted championship bracelet and millions of dollars instead of ‘Who won?’ The excitement and interest that will surround our final nine players will be unprecedented.”

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