JOSEPH CHEONG

MEET THE NOVEMBER NINE

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Cheong was born in Seoul, South Korea.  He immigrated to the United States with his parents at the age of six.

Cheong attended the University of California at San Diego (UCSD).  Last year, he graduated with a degree in psychology.

Cheong now lives in La Mirada, CA.  But he also has a temporary apartment in Las Vegas.  He plans to spend more time in Las Vegas in the months ahead.

Cheong won a WSOP Circuit gold ring at Harrah’s Rincon (San Diego) in April.  He pocketed $17,541 for first place.

This marks Cheong’s third time to cash at the WSOP in Las Vegas.

Cheong entered 19 tournaments this year.  He cashed in two events – taking 24th and 29th place in two Six-Handed No-Limit Hold’em tournaments.

Below is a brief Q&A with Cheong, taken just hours after he made it to the November Nine.

Question:  What’s happened the last two days?

Cheong:  I was one of the chip leaders a few days ago.  Then, I started the next day off really badly.  I dropped 3.7 million within the first 30 minutes of play.  Then, I had a big hand against Soi (Nguyen) where he doubled me up, and I felt great again….after that hand, Soi was down to 2 million.  So, it is amazing that he has made such a comeback. 

Question:  What was it like to play on Day Eight, when players went from 27 down to the final nine?  Was it exciting?

Cheong:  Actually, yesterday (Day Eight) went really bad for me.  But I was still excited because the pay jumps increased and I kept on going deeper.  Once we got to ten-handed, which was the bubble for the final nine, I really liked my chances.  I was really excited to make it.

Question:  Is there any sense of relief in making the November Nine?

Cheong:  The final table at ten-handed was like a reverse satellite.  We had ten players and needed to bust only one.  I can’t believe it took nearly six hours.  It was a big relief when it ended.  There is so much equity in making it to the final nine. 

Question:  Are you excited about what’s to come in the next three months?

Cheong:  I already have more than 200 text messages.  I have not even checked my e-mail.  I can only imagine what is going to come after all this airs on TV.  It hasn’t even aired yet.  Maybe I will pull a Darvin Moon and go off into the woods somewhere and just stay away.  But what I will really do is probably just play more poker around the country and travel some.  I might go over to WSOP Europe and play there.  I now have the bankroll to pretty much do what I want as far as playing goes.  I think I will play more.  Some people like to get away, but this is what I like to do, so I expect to be out there a lot at the tournaments. 

Question:  Do you have any major concerns looking at this group of eight opponents?  If so, what is the thing that concerns you most?

Cheong:  The entire table is experienced.  They are all good players.  I guess if I had to say what is my biggest concern, it would be both John Dolan and Jonathan Duhamel.  They both have big stacks and they are very experienced online players.  The other players I really do not know too well.  They seem to be decent and good players.   

Question:  A few days ago, you were asked if you would accept a hypothetical situation where you win a lot of prize money, but do not win the world championship.  I’m going to ask you this same question again – this time making the deal a little sweeter.  So, what if a genie were to pop out of a bottle and make you an offer.  Right now, the genie offers you second place.  You get $5.5 million as the runner up.  You get plenty of face time on television.  But, you do not get the win.  Would you take the deal?

Cheong:  Wow, that’s tough.  It’s probably closer to taking second place.  If I was the chip leader, I would probably feel different and want to play it out.  But I have one-third of the chip leader’s stack.  They are also great players at this final table, which means I do not have as much of an edge as I would in an open event.  So, I lean towards accepting the deal.  But, it’s close.

BONUS INTERVIEW:  Joseph Cheong was interviewed at the conclusion of Day Seven, when he held the chip lead.  This is a re-run of that interview.

Question:  What have you been doing the last three months since you won the WSOP Circuit event at Harrah’s Rincon?

Cheong:  I’ve mostly been playing online.  I moved out here in May and got an apartment.  I’ve been here at the World Series playing every single day since then. 

Question:  Aside from the Main Event, how did this year’s WSOP go for you?

Cheong:  I think I played between 18 and 20 events this year.  I’ve cashed two times.  I got 24th place in the $1,500 buy-in Six-Max, and 29th place in the $5,000 buy-in Six-Max.

Question:  Were you disappointed with your results coming in?

Cheong:  I was disappointed about my finish in the $5K.  I was the chip leader for most of Day Two and just spewed it all off.  That was grinding down on me for a while.  It only tilts me when I make a mistake. 

Question:  Did you consider skipping the Main Event, or what made you decide to go ahead and play?

Cheong:  To be perfectly honest, I was risking about a third of my bankroll here this summer.  If nothing worked out, I was going to go back to school, and then just play poker on the side as a hobby.  Luckily, it seems to have worked out so I guess I do not need to go back and can continue playing poker. 

Question:  You have a college degree in psychology.  Does that help you at the table?

Cheong:  It does not help at all.  It seems like it would.  But in psychology, we learn about mental disorders and things like that which has nothing to do with poker players.

Question: Are you sure about that?

Cheong:  (Laughing) Well, maybe it does apply.  But in general, I really do not think about psychology at all when I am playing.  It’s more about math. 

Question:  Do you enjoy playing in this event, or is it more like work?

Cheong:  It would be like work, except there is so much money on the line where now it’s fun.  That makes it so much more enjoyable. 

Question: Can you start thinking now about maybe making the November Nine, or beyond?

Cheong:  I really do not think about that at all.  Hopefully, I will play well tomorrow and still be in it for the final nine.  If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.  It’s a little more relaxing now, being guaranteed ($317,161).

Question:  Let’s say a genie pops out of a bottle right now and offers you fifth place in the Main Event.  You win $2,332,960, plus you make the November Nine.  But you do not win, and you may never get back there again.  Would you take the deal?

Cheong:  (Pause) Hmmm.  It’s a close decision.  $2.3 million is a lot of money at this stage.  I’m not guaranteed anywhere close to fifth place yet.  Let’s call it a push.

The Main Event championship final table, also known as the November Nine, will be played starting on November 6th, 2010.  The initial session of play will narrow the nine finalists down to two survivors.  The final two players return two days later on November 8th to play heads-up for the 2010 world championship.  This year’s winner will receive $8,944,138 in prize money, the coveted WSOP gold bracelet, and designation as the 2010 world poker champion.

To see a full list of all players who cashed in this year's Main Event, click here.