The 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event is now paused for over 100 days. The action will resume on November 7th with the final nine players, who will vie for the $8.5 million first place prize. Joe Cada, Eric Buchman, and Darvin Moon are among those who will return to the Rio as part of the November Nine.
The following are partial transcripts of WSOP media interviews with the November Nine following the conclusion of play late Wednesday night.
Joe Cada
WSOP Media: How many events did you play in at this year’s WSOP?
Cada: I played around 16 to 18 events and then the Main Event. It was a long and grueling tournament.
WSOP Media: Are there any high points you can remember?
Cada: I had a few runs to get above the chip average. Those were the few high points. There were a lot of low points, too.
WSOP Media: What do you do when you’re not playing poker?
Cada: I am very competitive. I love playing sports. I love going out on the water during the summer in Michigan.
WSOP Media: How long have you been playing poker?
Cada: Professionally, I’ve been playing for four years. I went to school for three semesters. I want to start my own business soon, so I went for business classes, accounting classes, and statistics too.
WSOP Media: What are your plans between now and November?
Cada: Enjoy the summer. I always want to learn more [in poker]. I’ll probably focus on the players a little bit harder and maybe play a little poker here and there.
WSOP Media: Can you describe how you’re feeling right now?
Cada: Amazing. It’s a dream come true.
Poker News Daily: You made a deep run this year in a $1,500 buy-in No Limit Hold’em tournament. Did that help prepare you for your run in the Main Event?
Cada: It helps a little bit. Playing in so many tournaments, you’re used to going out early or going deep. It helped a little bit, I’d say, but there’s nothing like the Main Event.
Eric Buchman
Buchman: I’m really happy right now. When I’m playing, I’m not going to get emotional because it’s not my style. If I win a big hand to survive, I’ll be happy. I know what reality is and I could have gotten knocked out of this tournament. If that happened, I would have been disappointed.
WSOP Media: You were really close to elimination. Tell us about it.
Buchman: I had eights against kings and made a straight. There was another time I got really lucky. I had A-10 of hearts against jacks and flopped the nuts. I was all-in that hand.
WSOP: What are your plans now?
Buchman: Just to relax. I’ll probably play a little less, but I’m still going to play. I deserve a vacation now.
WSOP Media: Will you watch it on television?
Buchman: I’m going to watch it on TV and I’d watch it on TV anyway. It’s a great show.
WSOP Media: Do you play online?
Buchman: I don’t play online. I played online a little bit in the old days. Now, I play at the Mohegan Sun and Borgata.
WSOP Media: Are you flying a lot of people out here for the final table in November?
Buchman: A lot of people are coming. All of my friends at the regular game want to come, so I’ll have maybe 30 people or so.
Chip Leader Darvin Moon
WSOP Media: What has this experience been like?
Moon: This casino has more suites than our whole hometown has in population. I’m not used to this.
WSOP Media: Are you pinching yourself right now?
Moon: It’s great, but you can’t pinch yourself until after November and then see where you’re at.
