The November Nine

47-year-old Steven Begleiter freely admits to being outclassed by his November Nine tablemates but the former Bear Sterns executive has done well so far and will enter the final table in third place. Begleiter's poker career before this run had been purely recreational, his main experience coming from low stakes home games and occasional trips to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut.

It was from a similar small stakes poker league in his home town that Begleiter won his $10,000 Main Event seat. As a result the other members of the league cut a deal whereby they will all share 20% of Begleiter's winnings - a very tidy investment now that he is guaranteed at least $1.2m. That deal is also sure to mean that Begleiter will have plenty of vociferous support come November in scenes that could resemble Dennis Phillip's memorable army of supporters last year.

Begleiter now works for a private equity firm but enjoys watching and coaching his three children's sports teams when he is not winning millions of dollars in the world's biggest poker tournament.