Kevin Schaffel is from Coral Springs, Florida, and was the oldest member of the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) November Nine at 51. Schaffel was sponsored by PokerStars at the 2009 WSOP Main Event final table and calls the Seminole Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Hollywood, Florida, his home turf. He took eighth in the $10,000 buy-in tournament for $1.3 million.
A divorced father with two college-aged children, Schaffel owned and operated several businesses prior to taking up poker and his run at the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event title. In 2006, after his printing and direct mail businesses took a downturn, Kevin Schaffel increased the number of poker tournaments that he played and began moving around the country chasing the poker circuit.
While his name is not immediately recognizable to the casual poker fan, Schaffel actually has had a great deal of success in the WSOP Main Event. Kevin Schaffel first cashed in the 2004 Main Event, which was eventually won by Greg Raymer, and finished in 42nd place.
2009 WSOP Main Event
Schaffel pointed out two words he heard from tennis champion Serena Williams that helped him reach the final table of the 2009 WSOP Main Event. In describing attributes that helped her in pressure situations, Williams said that “calm” and “patience” got her through tough circumstances. Schaffel has put those theories into his poker game and is quite deliberate at the table.
Schaffel continued to play patiently at the final table of the 2009 WSOP Main Event, held at the Penn and Teller Theater at the Rio. In his final hand, he ran kings into aces pre-flop against Eric Buchman. His opponent flopped one king and turned another, making quads and sending Schaffel home, $1.3 million richer for his wear.
His supporters wore cleverly-themed “Schaffel Up and Deal” shirts during the final table, playing on the command to start the action in any tournament.
Poker Career
In August 2008, Schaffel was the runner-up in the World Poker Tour’s (WPT) Legends of Poker, earning $471,000. Prahlad Friedman ended his magical run and grabbed just over $1 million for his efforts. Schaffel also cashed in a European Poker Tour (EPT) stop in London in October 2008 for $27,000.
Click here for Kevin Schaffel’s interview with Poker News Daily.
