Nine players are currently preparing for the final table of a lifetime and they’d be well advised to learn from last year’s winner, Martin Jacobson
Since 2008, the World Series Of Poker Main Event has played down to the final nine in July. The remaining players – known as the November Nine – return four months later to do battle for the most prestigious prize in poker. How would you spend that time?
Eventual 2014 winner Martin Jacobson trained hard, contacted his poker friends for advice and played out simulations of the final table. In an interview with PokerPlayer he said: ‘Making the final table was a blessing for me as it gave me all the reason in the world to work hard on my game. I learnt so much during this time that I think I improved my overall game more than I had done in years.’
Jacobson couldn’t believe that some of the other players – including ninth placed finisher Mark Newhouse – hadn’t prepared at all. ‘Obviously it’s everyone’s choice how they approach things but I got the impression that they didn’t want it enough. That definitely motivated me more.’
His efforts paid off, with the bracelet and the $10m first prize. Thanks to his sponsors Natural Stacks, you can see exactly what he went through in the build-up to the biggest final table of his life in the excellent mini documentary 10 for 10.
