USA all the Way in World Series of Poker

Americans are dominating the final 9 in the World Series of Poker. The field of nine is made up of one Italian, two Canadians and six Americans – all vying to claim the WSOP Main Event title – the most recognized tournament in Poker.

Now that the final nine have been decided, it’s time to sit down and take a break until November, when play will resume for Poker’s top prize of 9.8 million US dollars.

The WSOP 2010 has played host to Poker players from a total of 92 nations who participated in the 10,000 dollar Buy-In No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em series.

Before the pack was whittled down to the final nine, it consisted of 27 players from a host of nations – the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Britain and Sweden – all of whom won around 317,000 usd for their efforts.

The cream of the crop – the final 9 – were the talented survivors of a total field of 7,319 players who commenced playing on the 6th of July at the Rio All-Suites Hotel-Casino.

Commenting on the origin of the majority of the final nine, Phil Hellmuth - one of the game’s most successful players and winner of the Main Event in 1989 - voiced his surprise…..

"Considering how global poker has become, I'm shocked it is so many Americans".

In fact the only player among the 9 who is not from North America is Italian, Filippo Candio. Alongside playing Poker, Candio has hopes of establishing a career in filmmaking. As it stands, Candio has 16.4 million chips.

Leading the pack this year is Jonathan Duhamel from Quebec. At just 22 years of age, Duhamel shelved his studies in finance in order to play Poker at a professional level. Duhamel is currently in possession of 66 million chips of the 210 million in play.

Although the chips do not have any worth, in order to emerge the winner, a player must finish the tournament in possession of all of the chips.

"I'm very, very tired right now," said Duhamel after having played a staggering 18-hour marathon game which ended early Sunday morning…

"I'm excited for sure but it's been a long day, a long two weeks."

Trailing Duhamel with 46.25 million chips is 24 year old American John Dolan from Florida.

The big name remaining in the group of nine is Michael Mizrachi from Miami. Currently in 7th place, Mizrachi is from a Poker playing family of 3 brothers – all of whom won money at the Main Event – the first time in history this has been achieved by a family of Poker players.

Mizrachi’s brothers act as a personal cheering squad for the 29 year old dad of 3, who has already amassed in excess of 2.2 million dollars in winnings.

Play will resume on the 6th of November when the nine finalists will play again and be whittled down to the final 2 - the play of which is scheduled for the 9th of November.

A four month break is afforded to the last nine in anticipation of the final cliff hanger, and also affords players the opportunity to promote the event and pursue sponsorship deals.