Things have changed for Kevin Schaffel since he made the WSOP 2009 Main Event final table. After a tough start to his pro career almost two years ago he's managed to turn things around in a big way over the last four months.

At the beginning of 2008 Schaffel pulled the plug on his family direct mailing and printing business, turning to poker to pay the bills.

A profitable cash game player in the years leading up to going pro Schaffel was nonetheless challenged by the daily grind of playing for a living. He posted small cashes on the EPT and the WPT before playing the 2009 Main Event.

Schaffel already had some Main Event experience, having cashed twice before with a 42nd place finish all the way back in 2004 being his best result. This year he broke through and now finds himself numbered among the nine players with a shot at this year's world championship.

Since July Kevin Schaffel's been a busy man. He got a deal with PokerStars and came within inches of a WPT title, finishing second to Prahlad Friedman at the WPT Legends of Poker for $471,670.

Just last month he bubbled the final two tables at the EPT London Main Event, making it very clear that he's got game to bring to the Main Event finale.

Schaffel has a disarming manner and comes off a bit wide-eyed despite being around big buy-in poker for years.

With over $1.9 million career tournament earnings the only thing missing from Schaffel's list of accomplishments is an outright win in a major event. He'll get his chance in less than a week and there'll be over $7.2 million on the line.

It all gets started November 7th we'll be there bringing it all to you live. Check out our Live 2009 WSOP Coverage to follow Kevin Schaffel and all the other November Niners on the way to this year's world champion.

Check out the video we shot with him in Vegas the day after the final table was set.

More WSOP 2009 Main Event final table profiles

• Phil Ivey November Nine Profile
• Steven Begleiter November Nine Profile
• Jeff Shulman November Nine Profile
• Joe Cada November Nine Profile
• Darvin Moon November Nine Profile