So we all know the 2010 WSOP in Vegas is pretty much over except for that final televised table in November. Here’s a little background on those final nine players.

Filippo Candio: 25, Italy. Recent credits include his win at the 2009 Italian Pro Championship and past sponsorship from PokerStars.net. Considered a strong favorite by those actually watching him play in the casino during this year’s tournament.

Joseph Cheong: USA. Recently came first at the Harrah’s No Limit Holdem event back in March and has been on the professional circuit for a few years.

John Dolan: 24, USA. First two place finishes to his name and 14 money wins makes Dolan a viable contender for that final gold bracelet. He hails from Florida and usually does his winning online.

Jonathan Duhamel: 22, Quebec.  Has placed or won series money in professional tournaments since 2008. With two cash wins from the 2010 WSOP, let’s hope the third time is a charm for this young but talented player.

Matthew Jarvis: 26, Canada. Despite playing poker for the last six years, this is Jarvis’ first final table. A relative unknown Jarvis has dreamed of this day for years. Let’s hope all that wishing comes true.

Michael Mizrachi: 29, USA. Known as the Grinder on the professional circuit, Mizrachi has already won during this year’s WSOP tournament and had a heads up battle. He seems to be playing at full strength this year. Poker has been a passion for Mizrachi since he was a young child so let’s hope the years of practice pay off.

Soi Nguyen: 37, USA. A non professional and the oldest of the final nine. Ngyuen has no professional record to speak of so could be considered the long shot in this one.

John Racener: 24, USA. A few wins in the past but nothing that compares to the final nine at the WSOP. Racener has been around for a few years and has done well in the circuit tournaments. Let’s see how things pan out for him in late fall.

Jason Senti: 25, USA. A professional player and instructor, Senti is well known in the online casino world. In real life Senti won event 29 in last year’s WSOP.

Personally I favor Mizrachi for this one. He’s having quite a tournament with a couple of close ones, a few heads up and even a bracelet. He’s on a roll and if he doesn’t lose that energy or edge while he waits four months to get back at his opponents, it may be his year to shine.

But then, they all have four months to perfect their poker skills so in the end it’s still anyone’s game.

And that’s the fun thing about poker right?