Schaffel busts in 8th at World Series of Poker

By OSKAR GARCIA LAS VEGAS
Other Sports News, AP - 3 weeks ago

A 52-year-old cash game poker player has been eliminated in eighth place at the World Series of Poker main event with the best starting hand in no-limit Texas Hold 'em.

Kevin Schaffel of Coral Springs, Fla., got all his chips in with pocket aces against Eric Buchman, but lost when the community cards gave Buchman four kings.

Buchman called Schaffel's all-in wager with pocket kings, the second-best starting hand in the game.

Buchman was hurt earlier in the day by a bad beat against James Akenhead, who was later eliminated in ninth place. But a king on the flop put him in the lead against Schaffel and the fourth king on the turn made it impossible for Schaffel to win the hand.

Schaffel won $1.3 million for eighth place.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — London poker professional James Akenhead is the first player eliminated from the World Series of Poker main event final table after he couldn't come from behind for the second time during the session.

Akenhead tripled up on Saturday on a miracle river queen, but lost most of the stack on two hands to Kevin Schaffel of Coral Springs, Fla.

Akenhead was eliminated when his pocket pair of threes didn't improve against the pocket nines held by Schaffel.

He took home $1.26 million for ninth place, nothing beyond what each final table player was awarded in July when they made it to the top of a field of 6,494 entrants in the no-limit Texas Hold 'em tournament.

The elimination made each player at least $36,000 richer.