In a year when 6 of the 9 final tablists are 34 or younger, Kevin Schaffel offers a refreshing change to the norm.
The 51 year-old father of two has been playing poker for decades – since he was 11, in fact – but until now was content to sit quietly in the cash games at his local Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Florida.
For 30 years he owned and operated his own printing company but after recently closing the business, he considers himself ‘semi-retired’ and has found more time to focus on his favourite hobbies – playing golf and playing poker.
Schaffel told Poker Listings: “I’m delirious right now. I’ll come back in November and do what I can. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. It’s been a great ride whatever happens. My son is on cloud nine. I can’t wait to come back.”
This isn’t his first deep run in the Main Event – back in 2004, he made his first ever big live cash during the big dance when he finished 42nd for $60,000. Since then, he has gone on to record $168,000 in tournament winnings – so the guaranteed $1,263,602 pay-day and PokerStars deal is a far cry from his usual poker life!
Amazingly, before the Main Event Schaffel was crashing at a friend’s house near the TPC Eagle Trace, a golf course where he is a regular.
“I think I’ll be able to afford a place of my own now”, he joked.
Too right.
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