LAS VEGAS (AP) — A three-day poker-playing marathon begins in Las Vegas as nine men battle for the annual World Series of Poker title and a chance at $7.6 million.
They last matched wits in July for the series' Main Event and returned Sunday for the final matchup outlasting several thousand players each paying $10,000 for the chance to win.
Two of the "November Nine" nearly missed their own chance.
Neil Blumenfield of San Francisco was laid off from his tech job in the two weeks before the Main Event start and he weighed saving his $10,000 entry or playing. Israeli player Svi Stern entered a few Series events but flew home before the Main Event, changed his mind and flew back in time to give it a try. Now both are already $1 million richer.
