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While there are a few Cinderella stories among this year’s November Nine, Antoine Saout’s is particularly fantastic.

Saout won a $50 online satellite into the world’s biggest poker tournament. Not only did he manage his way through thousands of online hopefuls just to make it to the WSOP Main Event, he beat out 6,485 other players at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino to join this year's elite group of nine.

With only two years of poker experience and sitting eighth in chips with 9.5 million, many consider Saout to be a huge underdog. However, Saout’s phenomenal 7th place finish at the 2009 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event has earned him credence coming into the final table.

The former engineering student finds confidence in his math and analytical skills as well as his experience playing in sit n gos. His success at the WSOPE has helped galvanize this confidence, positioning the 25-year old from Saint Marin des Champs, France to make his mark come November 7th.  

WSOP.com: What if any has been the biggest change in your life since making that final table back in July?

Saout: The biggest change in my life has been the numerous tournaments that I took part in since I am a professional player.

Having a sponsor enable me to play at many poker tournaments such as in the Par touché Poker Tour, the Spanish Poker Tour Vilamoura, the WSOP Europe where I reached the final table, and the WPT Marrakech.

Thanks to Everest Poker I am able to participate at all those tournaments in the best conditions and it’s great. I am traveling a lot, I am very happy. Not only I am improving my game but I am having a ball!!!! I love live tournaments!

WSOP.com: Take us though a typical day for you during the break between Main Event play.

Saout: Well, I do not know where to start…I am sharing my time between tournaments, travels and interviews. A typical day for me would be waking up in a hotel room. Sometimes it takes me few minutes to realize exactly where I am, and going though my day. If I am at home, I am enjoying some time with my family and friends. If I am in a tournament, I try to visit those places. I am enjoying being a tourist: visiting, going to restaurants, etc.

WSOP.com: It was recently revealed that Jeff Shulman has enlisted Phil Hellmuth to help him prepare for the final table. Have you procured the services of a poker coach or training academy?

Saout: I am more like a self-made poker player, I do enjoy my freedom, and I intend it to stay that way. In fact, learning by myself has been good for me, so I am going to carry on this path. I know a coach can be helpful, but learning from your own is a good learning school as well. I think this is very important as I am a professional; I really want to keep my independence, play as I want, and learn from my own mistakes.

WSOP.com: You spent much of the main event at the same table as Phil Ivey, have you learned anything from this experience, either about his or your own game?

Saout: First it was a real pleasure being at the same table as him; he is a great poker player. About learning from this experience, I think I might try a more aggressive game on him.

WSOP.com: Do you still play in local games? How do your opponents react to you?

Saout: I barely play at local games anymore as I have been participating at a lot of tournaments. They are more fun. You can really feel the tension, your heart beating faster, the stress rising, and being in front of very good players is great.

WSOP.com: How have your family and friends treated you since coming home with more than $1.2 million with a potential to earn much more? Any funny stories to share?

Saout: Well, my family and friends are very supportive! Some of them are going to come with me to the Main Event Final. They are really proud of me; I think I would not have gone this far without their support and love. They did not change, or maybe a little, now, they are all interested in poker.

WSOP.com: Was there one particular hand during the tournament in July that was instrumental in your becoming a November Niner? Could you describe it played out?

Saout: There were 14 remaining players. In the UTG position, I raise with AQ, everybody fold and the Big Blind decides to pay.

With 8-8-3 unsuited on the board, my opponent checks and I bet 50% of the pot. After thinking for a short time, the BB decides to check raise and I decide to go all in.

My opponent thought for a long time and decides to muck his hand. I show mine and he gets angry and gets up from the table. Afterwards, my opponent confessed he had pocket 7s and congratulated me.

WSOP.com: Heading toward November 7th, which is it that makes your heart palpitate more, the potential to win over $8.5 million, or that you will be playing at the highest profile poker table in history, in front of millions worldwide?

Saout: Being at this level is already a victory for me, whatever happens during the final table. Moreover, this performance has allowed me to reach the professional level with Everest Poker. Since July, I have fulfilled the dream of every poker player: to travel all around the world, participating to the more prestigious poker tournaments.

After my last results, I am confident that I will do my best in Las Vegas, in front of millions and against the best players.

WSOP.com: How confident are you that you can take down the crown?

Saout: Well, I am confident enough to think as long as you have chips, everything is possible, even though it won’t be without having a hard time to make it …And if not, I’m really already happy with my performance.

WSOP.com: Is there a player at this final table you fear the most?

Saout: I do not fear my competitors; I can’t wait to play with them because it will be a great experience, and I admire them because they all have different and amazing poker results.

WSOP.com: Who is the one player at the table you feel you are most familiar with?  And least familiar with?

Saout: I respect all of my opponents but I did not really know any of them particularly well.

WSOP.com: Have you been watching the Tuesday night telecasts on ESPN?  What do you think thus far?  Anything surprise you?

Saout: As I am not living in the US, I did not watch the ESPN shows on TV but saw the replays online. So far, it has been really useful to see how some of my future opponents are playing and it is definitely giving me some valuable tips for the Final Table.

WSOP.com: How many people are planning to attend your final table play at the Rio November 7-10 Does that make you feel more comfortable or more nervous?

Saout: First their will be some of my friends and family, then about one hundred persons from the Everest poker promotion.

That makes me a little nervous, they will all be there to support me, and it is definitely added pressure. But in a sense, I am happy. I hope they will have a good time and enjoy the tournament.

WSOP.com: Regardless of where you finish, the ability to beat out 6,485 players and receive more than a million-dollar payday is an incredible achievement.  Have you been able to recognize that or is it simply about finishing the job now?

Saout: I am definitely aware that it is already an amazing accomplishment and no matter what happens, I will not be disappointed as long as I play well… However, I am back in Las Vegas to try to win and play my best poker!

WSOP.com: With winning the Main Event of the World Series of Poker comes the title of “Reigning World Champion of Poker.” Would you embrace the role of poker ambassador or is that something you would have a hard time with?

Saout: Mostly, I would be really excited to bring the title to France! I would be the first French WSOP champion ever; the best result was a 7th place in 1998 when there were only 200 players participating at the main event. If I win, this would have a great impact in France as poker is currently booming there.

WSOP.com: Can you share the weirdest/funniest story that has happened to you since making the November Nine?

Saout: Something funny happened to me just after the July main event, I received a letter when back in Britany. It had my name on it but not my real address, and it was something like “Antoine Saout” “around Morlaix” – my town. I opened it and it was a letter from an old man, who told me that he had financial problems and asked me to help him. The thing is that I do not know if this is one of my friends prank or a real letter; it was quite funny.