Two from Phila. area make final table for World Series of Poker

LAS VEGAS - A pair of ace poker players from the Philadelphia region are among nine who made the final cut Wednesday for a seat at the table for November's $7.7 million World Series of Poker.

Joe McKeehen, 24, of North Wales, Pa., and Josh Beckley, 24, of Marlton, N.J., are guaranteed $1 million for making the final nine. McKeehen goes into the last stage of the tournament with a dominant chip lead, having ousted fan favorite Daniel Negreanu early Wednesday at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

Negreanu wagered the last of his chips after an ace in his hand paired the board. McKeehen called with several draws, the odds of winning the hand against him but with plenty of chips to absorb a loss. He won when the queen delivered a straight on the final community card.

"I killed the room. I know that," McKeehen said of the knockout. "I know I may be a villain for a little while."

McKeehen has 63 million chips, roughly 35 percent of those in play. Beckley ranks seventh in chips with 11.9 million. Both are tournament regulars at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pa.

McKeehen said he finished the seventh card session surprised at his position after also eliminating the German Alex Turyansky in 10th place ($756,897) and Justin Schwartz in 14th ($411,453).

While the position gives McKeehen an advantage, there's still plenty of work ahead. Chips have no monetary value at the tournament; players must lose all their chips to be eliminated or win all the chips in play to win, as minimum bets rise every two hours.

The final nine players will each be paid $1 million in ninth-place money before returning for the final table Nov. 8 and 9. They will be paid the rest based on their finish.

Negreanu, 40, had plenty of fans cheering him at the Rio as he sought his biggest score in his hall-of-fame career, obliging them with photos, banter, and even 30 push-ups as they counted out loud. Though he has won six smaller tournaments at the series and amassed more than $15 million in World Series of Poker earnings since 1998, the pro nicknamed "Kid Poker" has never reached the final table of poker's marquee event.

He won nearly $527,000 for 11th place, matching his finish in the 2001 main event, when only 613 players entered and he won less than $64,000.

Negreanu appeared to take his loss in stride, though he tumbled backward onstage with his head in his hands when the final queen was dealt.

"I hurt my head a little bit on the fall," he said, rubbing the back of his head.

The other players in the "November Nine" are Neil Blumenfield, 61; Pierre Neuville, 72; Max Steinberg, 27; Zvi Stern, 36; Thomas Cannuli, 23; Patrick Chan, 26; and Federico Butteroni, 25.