November Nine:

Begleiter will have strong contingent of fans

Former investment banker won his way into Main Event through hometown league

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Associated Press

Steven Begleiter, left, and Antoine Saout play a hand during the World Series of Poker at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Wednesday, July 15, 2009.

Darvin Moon — 58,930,000
Eric Buchman — 34,800,000
Steven Begleiter — 29,885,000
Jeff Shulman — 19,580,000
Joe Cada — 13,215,000
Kevin Schaffel — 12,390,000
Phil Ivey — 9,765,000
Antoine Saout - 9,500,000
James Akenhead — 6,800,000

World Series of Poker 2009

Fans chanting “Begs” in support of Steven Begleiter were one of the most constant noises in the Rio poker room as the World Series Main Event played down to nine players in July.

That’s not going to stop when the November Nine re-convene Saturday. In fact, it might be louder because of what’s at stake for Begleiter’s friends.

Begleiter, a former investment banker, played his way into the Main Event by winning the championship in his Chappaqua, N.Y., hometown’s poker league. Twenty percent of whatever he wins in the Main Event will be given to the league and its members.

“It’s great because all my friends would obviously already be rooting for me,” Begleiter, 47, said. “But now, they’re bought into it.”

They can’t complain about where Begleiter is positioned. He’s third in chips, behind Darvin Moon and Eric Buchman.

And he’s proven that getting to this position was no fluke. After making the Main Event final table, Begleiter also placed ninth in September at the World Poker Tour Legends of Poker Tournament in Los Angeles.

“I’ve played poker more than I ever thought I would,” Begleiter said. “I’ve trained in a lot ways that I won’t feel comfortable talking about until after the final table.”

One hand stands out for Begleiter in the Main Event. It was the first day and he was dealt pocket kings — the second best starting hand.

But another player went all-in before the flop and Begleiter folded believing his opponent held pocket aces, Texas Hold ‘Em’s top starting hand.

Begleiter was right and that fold prevented him from being knocked out on the first day.

“That fold was really key to my whole tournament,” Begleiter said.