Kevin Schaffel Poker Player Profile

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Kevin Schaffel

The "senior citizen" of this year's November Nine is Kevin Schaffel who will start the final table at the ripe "old" age of 51. He takes his 12.39 Million chip stack into a perpetual minefield of experience at the final table.

Schaffel is hoping that his patient and steady approach to the game will pay off with a World Championship in November.

Main Event Success Nothing New

Kevin Schaffel is no stranger to WSOP Main Event success. This marks the third time that Schaffel has cashed in the Main Event and the second time that he has went deep.

Back in 2004, Schaffel finished 42nd in the Main event. That year, Greg Raymer won it all. He then cashed in last year's Main Event, finishing in 324th.

In addition to his WSOP success, Schaffel has had success on the World Poker Tour and EPT. He cashed in the WPT twice in 2008 and also at the EPT PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.

His only professional final table to date is a final during a preliminary event at Legends of Poker in 2007.

What Got Him Here

Schaffel's style varies from that of the aggressive internet whiz kids. He takes a patient calculated approach to the game. Prior to the Main Event, he said that some words from tennis champion Serena Williams inspired him.

When asked how she performed well under pressure, she said that she stayed calm and patient. He wrote those words down and applied them to his game.

The turning point in his tournament was a big all-in hand he survived on Day 1. He was all-in on the flop with a set of tens against the flopped straight of another opponent.

He then rivered a full house to stay alive and never looked back.

Life will definitely change for this former direct mailing business owner. Prior to the Main Event, he was living out of a friend's spare bedroom. He said that he "can afford a place of his own" now.

Schaffel may not be a household name like Ivey, Shulman, or even Buchman, but he does have the experience necessary to survive at this final. If he can catch a run of cards or win a couple of key situations, he will put himself in fine shape to make a run at the Main Event title.