For the majority of poker players across the world, reaching the final table at the World Series of Poker Main Event would mark a high point in their careers – in many cases, it’s literally a dream come true. In the years since Chris Moneymaker sparked the poker boom with his unforgettable run in 2003, the Main Event has become mecca for poker players across the world. With the growth in numbers that followed, so came an increase in the sheer amount of luck required for a deep run.
In 2013, Mark Newhouse accomplished that dream and, despite a ninth-place finish, he achieved a feat many will only ever aspire to.
Then, he did it all again in 2014.
Longer odds than lightning
The odds of reaching back-to-back WSOP Main Event final tables are astronomical. If all players are given an equal chance, it’s a 1-in-524,079 shot. Of the 6,352 entrants in 2013, Newhouse outlasted all but eight of them. The following year, entry numbers climbed to 6,683, and, again, Newhouse outlasted all but eight of them.
It’s hard to express how difficult a feat this is (in terms of both variance and skill), but a comparison may help.
According to an ESPN article (written, as it so happens, by Hustler Casino Live owner Ryan Feldman) from 2014, the National Weather Service put the odds of being struck by lightning across a two-year period at 1 in 480,000.
“You’re more likely to be struck by lightning than…” is a phrase often bandied about with the utmost confidence, but if you know anything about MTT poker tournaments, you should recognize the immediate truth in its application in this instance.
November Niner, back-to-back
In 2013, Newhouse exited the final table first, starting proceedings second-to-last in the chip counts. After moving all-in over the top of a preflop raise with 
, Newhouse found himself flipping against Ryan Riess’ 
. The 
runout improved Riess to the winner and dashed Newhouse’s dreams.
The $733,224 payday he had secured back in July — both of Newhouse’s final table finishes came during the period of time when the WSOP Main Event final table was set in July, but played out in November — was the extent of his earnings. Any six-figure score won in a card game merits celebration and excitement, but when there are only eight players between you and $8,361,570 cash, anything less feels like a consolation prize.
Still, the sting of coming so close failed to deter Newhouse from ponying up the $10,000 buy-in the following year. As he took his seat in the 2014 Main Event, Newhouse had a message for the poker world:
Despite his instance of not finishing ninth again, Newhouse did, in fact, finish ninth again. After reaching the pinnacle of tournament poker for a second consecutive year, the news of Newhouse’s accomplishment swept the community and his storyline became the main focus of the Main Event. This time, Newhouse started the final frame with a much healthier stack of chips, good enough for the third-largest at the table.
While most players would be content to sit back and wait for others around them to bust, Newhouse had his eyes on winning the whole thing and didn’t hold back in his approach. In a hand against William Tonking, Newhouse moved all-in on the river, putting his tournament life at risk.
Newhouse: 
Tonking: 
Board: 
Tonking found the right answer and made the call to send Newhouse packing in ninth place for the second year in a row. As commentator Norman Chad said at the time, “He’s not Mr. November Nine, he’s Mr. November Ninth.”
In the immediate aftermath of his elimination, Newhouse spoke to reporters and, unsurprisingly, didn’t have much to say in the way of positive reflection.
Featured Image Courtesy of Joe Giron Photography