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A strong field is ready to compete in the second year of the special November final table at the World Series of Poker Main Event, resuming November 7^th at 11 a.m. pacific. Phil Ivey leads the way with his dominating presence but faces a tough battle from many talented, experienced players including Jeff Shulman of Card Player Magazine fame (the son of Card Player founder Barry Shulman).

In this installment I preview the chances and profile Ivey, Shulman, British pro James Akenhead and chip leader Darvin Moon.

Phil Ivey: Seventh in Chips with 9,765,000

Already enjoying a banner 2009 World Series with three final table appearances and two bracelets won (pushing his career bracelet total to 7), Ivey made it through the 6,494 player main event field to give the final table major star presence.

Even though Ivey sits seventh in chips he will be the favorite at the final table and the player everyone else keys on (potentially making questionable decisions in a gamble to eliminate him).

An aggressive player, Ivey will not be afraid to make a tough call or be bullied by players hoping to knock out the unquestioned best player at the table (and arguably the best player in the game today).

If Ivey can accumulate chips early and control the play at the table, the favorite among both fans and pros alike will be tough to beat and stand a great chance at reclaiming poker鈥檚 biggest title for the pros.

Jeff Shulman: Fourth in Chips with 19,580,000

After Ivey, Shulman will be the most familiar final table face to poker fans and he has the steady type of game to navigate his way through this mine field of a final table.

An interesting side plot comes from the fact the Shulman family is currently embroiled in a feud with World Series organizers due to Card Player losing a lot of their previously exclusive WSOP access to ESPN鈥檚 and Bluff Magazine鈥檚 burgeoning (among others) coverage.

Behind the scenes issues aside Shulman has the experience (three previous WSOP final tables) and talent to take home the first place prize and bracelet (which he threatens to dispose of should he win).

Not that this final table needed another side story, but Shulman brings one and him winning would certainly bring plenty of controversy and attention.

James Akenhead: Ninth in Chips with 6,800,000

Akenhead, the runner-up at the WSOP 2008 $1,500 No-Limit Hold 鈥楨m event (with a deep field of over 3,900 players), adds another impressive run in a deep field to his resume in making the November Nine.

The U.K. native enters with the short stack but has the talent to climb back into contention and should not be dismissed as a threat to take home the title.

Part of an upcoming group of British players called the Hit Squad hoping to challenge the famed Hendon Mob, Akenhead has even drawn comparisons to the legendary Stu Ungar with his feel for the game.

Darvin Moon-Chip Leader with 58,930,000

The strong chip leader with 24 million more chips than second place and just under one-third of the total chips in play, Moon nonetheless has to deal with the pressure of being the chip leader for three months and being the least accomplished player at this strong final table.

A lumber business owner that plays poker on the side, Moon will be the everyman favorite that fits the profile of the unknowns that took home the last seven WSOP main event bracelets (especially Chris Moneymaker and Jerry Yang).

Last year fellow unknown Dennis Phillips entered the November final table with a similar chip lead and finished third after bluffing off much of his stack and being outplayed by runner-up Ivan Demidov and 2008 champion Peter Eastgate. However, similar unknowns Moneymaker and Yang defeated much more talented players in winning their main event titles in 2003 and 2007 respectively.

More to come, stay tuned.....