News

MEET THE NOVEMBER NINE

Duhamel was born in Boucherville, Quebec (Canada).

Duhamel still lives in Boucherville, Quebec – which is in the Montreal area.

Duhamel lives in a condominium.

Duhamel is pronounced “Dew-ha-mel.”

Duhamel is fluent in both English and French languages.

Duhamel is a professional poker player.  He mostly plays online.

Duhamel has been playing full-time for about two years.  Before he transitioned successfully to poker playing, he worked off and on at a series of what he called “bad jobs”.  Among those jobs was working in a factory.

Duhamel attended college at Universite du Quebec a Montreal, otherwise known as UQUAM.    He majored in finance, but left school during his second year of studies.

Duhamel prefers to play cash games, rather than tournaments.

Duhamel had two cashes at this year’s WSOP.  He finished 15th in the $2,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament (Event #56).  He also cashed in 50th place in the Six-Handed No-Limit Hold’em tournament (Event #16).  His combined WSOP earnings prior to this event amounted to $43,000.

Duhamel has previously cashed in other tournaments, including the NAPT Caribbean Poker Adventure and the EPT championship at Prague.  His best live tournament finish in a major tournament was 9th place at a tournament held in New York State, three years ago.

Duhamel goes into the Main Event final table as the chip leader.

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

Question:  You have stated you play mostly in cash games.  How do you adjust your approach to the game when playing in tournaments?

Duhamel:  It’s a little bit different, but not that much different.  It’s the same in that you have to play the situation.  The thing about this, the Main Event is – the structure is so good, if almost plays like a cash game.  In other tournaments you are not that deep in terms of how many big blinds you have.  The Main Event is structured so good that I have like 100 big blinds.  So, that is more like a cash game situation.  But the difference is keeping the focus.  There is a lot going on.  Plus, I am not used to playing 12 hours in a row.  I am used to playing multiple tables (online).  So, playing just one table is different.  I am used to seeing 500 hands an hour, instead of just one table where it’s like 25 hands an hour.  That’s a big difference.

Question:  You come into the final table as chip leader.  Does that add any pressure to you situation?

Duhamel:  I think it’s a good thing.  I try not to put pressure on myself.  I have a big stack, and we’ll see what happens from there.  The more chips I have, the happier I am.  So, is that pressure?  Well, if so – I’m happy about that (laughing).  

Question:  When did you first realize you can make it as a professional poker player?  Many people, especially young people, think they can beat the game.  When did you realize you can actually do this for a living?

Duhamel:  Well, I thought about it for a very long time.  I actually tried it out a few times before succeeding.  I tried it once and quit my job.  I went broke, so I had to go back and get another job.  I was doing very badly when I first started out.  But then, I reviewed my game and studied and learned a lot more and became better.  Then, I went back and tried it again and it was successful for me. 

Question:  If you win the Main Event, you will become the first Canadian world poker champion in history, and more specifically the first champion from Quebec.  Do you take special pride in that?

Duhamel:  Yes, for sure. 

Question:  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?

Duhamel:  I would take it.  I am realistic.  Second place is very good.  The thing is, it’s a very tough table.  There are many good players.  It’s going to be tough to win, even if I have the chip lead.  Even if I play well, I have to catch good cards.  I’m playing to win, but I can’t pass on that.

Question:  Looking at the final table, and the other eight players, what concerns you the most?

Duhamel:  Everybody is playing very well and everybody has a solid game.  If you make even one mistake, it is going to cost you and you will lose chips.  You have to be focused and be ready and play the best poker you can – and that’s what I’m going to do.

Question:  How many people from Quebec do you expect to bring with you to the November Nine?

Duhamel:  We will have a lot of people.  We are going to make a lot of noise, that’s for sure.

Question:  You are already guaranteed more than $800,000 and based on your chip status, you should make well over a million dollars.  Have you thought what you might do with the prize money?

Duhamel:  For me, no.  I am not going to go out and buy anything.  Maybe a few things for friends and family.  But I’m not buying anything for myself, at least for now.

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.