Gordon rides chip lead to WSOPC final table

When Phil Gordon walks into Harrah's New Orleans today, he'll be coming in with more than one million in chips and a seat at the World Series of Poker Circuit main event final table. A win there will give him his biggest payout to date in a poker tournament.

Of course, first he'll have to get past the eight other players at the table if he's going to walk away with the $516,801 top prize in his pocket.

With $1,167,000 in chips, it will take a lot of work for any of the other players to trip up Phil Gordon in his quest for a win. His nearest competitor is David Fox of Coram, N.Y., who enters the final table with $400,000 in chips.

Fox has been playing poker professional for the past three years. The 30-year-old plans to use his poker winnings someday to eventually write and direct feature films.

The rest of the pack includes a wide range of players including two representing the host state: real estate broker J.D. Estilette from Lafayette and building supply company manager Clint Schafer of Baton Rouge.

A couple of New York natives - commodity trader Bobby Wisiak of Queens and business owner Lou Esposito from Howard Beach - also made their long trek to New Orleans worthwhile by making the final table.

Representing a few of the southern states are trial attorney Anthony Longoria from McAllen, Texas; aspiring poker pro David McLeroy of Raleigh, N.C.; and former rodeo clown Scott Mitchell of Pensacola, Fla.

Along with half a million dollars, the winner will also receive a WSOPC gold ring and a seat in the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event.

The final table will start play today at 2 p.m. (CST). For those interested in watching it play out, it will be broadcast with a one hour delay at WorldSeriesofPoker.com starting at 3 p.m. (CST).

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