Final-Table Interview: Peter Eastgate

Peter Eastgate going into the final table of the 2008 WSOP Main Event

Denmark's Peter Eastgate is headed into the final table of this year's WSOP Main Event in fourth place with over $18 million in chips. Eastgate is one of just two Europeans who made it to the November finale and will be looking to take the bracelet and the $9 million prize back across the pond.

Eastgate was getting ready to head home but we had a chance for a few quick words before he did.

Hi Peter. That was quite a bubble last night, getting the last elimination. Tell us about that section of the event and what it means to you to have made it through to the final table.

When we were on the bubble I felt like the play was really tight. Kelly Kim was the short stack and most of the guys were just waiting for him to get all-in. A few of the guys were creating some action and it was Dean Hamrick who ended up busting.

I picked up a lot of chips. I started the 10-handed table at $10.5 million and ended up with about $18 million. I picked up some hands. There was one big pot where I raised under the gun with aces and got three callers.

The flop came down 3-5-5 and I led out. I got one caller and the turn was a six. We both checked it and I bet really big when a jack hit the river. I got an insta-call and my aces were good.

Enemy at the Eastgate.

Let's talk about the delayed final table a bit. Do you like the whole idea and how do you think it'll affect you specifically?

I really don't think it's going to affect me too much. I'll certainly be doing all the research I can on the other players. I already have a lot of ideas about how they play but it'll be good to confirm them when I watch it on television.

It's definitely good for poker though. There's going to be so much more hype. I guess the other players will be getting better, getting tutored by better players. I'm not too worried but I [will] have to adjust because they won't be the same players they are now.

We saw you playing at the EPT in Copenhagen when you cashed. Tell us a bit about poker in Denmark and how you feel about representing your country at the final table.

Final table, here I come.

[Laughs] Well, I think Gus Hansen will still be the only representative for Denmark. I could win the tournament and it wouldn't change that.

I don't know how to feel yet. Last year Philip Hilm was chip leader going into the final table and he busted out in ninth place. You never know what's going to happen.

What are your plans between now and then?

I'm going to play a lot of tournaments and just prepare for the final table. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

Thanks Peter and good luck.

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PokerListings.com caught up with each of our final-table competitors, so keep an eye out on the interview page to get the scoop. The Main Event is over, for now, but there's still plenty of other poker action to keep you busy. Hit up the live tournaments section to check it all out.