De de deee de, de de de de de… it’s the Final Countdown! Yes indeed, folks, poker’s most famous hiatus is drawing to a close meaning we’re now just seven days away from the Main Event Final in which the November 9 will return to their seats to battle it out for the $8.5 million first prize and title of WSOP Champion for 2009.
As an ode to our sole British survivor, this week will be James Akenhead Week on Black Belt Poker. Each day until the November 9 take their seats, James will share a few, brief thoughts in his ‘Diary Entry of the Day’, alongside a selection of other Akenhead titbits to temporarily satisfy your poker thirst.
As James flies the flag, we wish him the very best of luck from everyone here at Black Belt Poker, in particular Neil Channing who has a 25 percent cut. Go my potential wage increase!
Diary Entry of the Day:
“10 of us flew from Gatwick yesterday. I thought we would be going first class, but the woman from Harrah's cocked up the booking She said she had had the flu, but by the time I knew the ticket prices had gone up from 3.3k to 8k. We've still managed to get three first class seats though and some premium economy ones. Obviously, the Squad flew over, as well as a few others including Sam [Trickett], Jeff [Kimber] and Martins [Adeniya].
Overall, I'm taking over 70 people to Vegas. Harrah's give you 70 seats in the theatre, and I've maxed that out. I decided to head over a week in advance because I really want to make sure I'm prepared and have no excuses. I need to make sure that I'm feeling good and not suffering from any jet lag.”
Interview Recap of the Day:
James joined us at the dinner break on Day 7 of the 2009 WSOP Main Event to discuss his recent elevation from 5 million to 7.5 million in chips. In this interview, he also discussed Antonio Esfandiari, laddering and his experiences from the year prior.
Hand of the Day:
It was early on Day 7 and James had approximately what he started the day with: $1,653,000. Antonio Esfandiari opened with a raise to 135,000 with Ac-3h. James looked down at 9h-9s a couple of seats down, and without too much hesitation, announced all-in. Neighbour Hung Pham was in a quandary, but released Th-Ts. Mark Ader was less hospitable, however, and duly pushed in with As-Kh, making it an easy fold for Esfandiari.
With Esfandiari folding an ace, James emerged as a 59%/41% favourite. That percentage quickly changed to 2% when the flop came 4c-6c-9c delivering James a set of nines. By the 2s turn, Ader was drawing dead.
This was a crucial hand for James who now had in excess of three million, which, at the time, put him back above average. Ader, meanwhile, was crushed, and exited moments later in 61st place.
Quote of the Day:
On Day 6 when asked about who was playing better, him or Ivey: “Me. I’ve owned him [laughs]. No, no, just joking, we’ve been in three pots and I’ve won them all.”
Trivia of the Day:
Before he played poker, James worked as a train driver for around two years.
Result of the Day:
James’ seventh biggest win came on February 2, 2006 when he finished seventh in Leg 2 of the GUKPT in Walsall. James took home £11,150 ($15,929) in what was a roller coaster battle, but was consolidated by the victory of fellow Hit Squadder Sunny Chatha who won £88,150 ($125,929) in spondoolies.