Quitting Your Day Job
The PokerStars Job 2 Stars contest began with 90 players qualifying through a series of satellites on their online poker client. Another ten players were added from a selection of "job application" videos they submitted. The 100 players first competed in a live semi-final in Paris, consisting of an interview in front of a panel of judges and psychologists, a heads-up challenge against ElkY, and a Sit 'n Go. From that initial interview process came ten finalists, and they were all invited to the EPT Deauville for their final interview -- competing in the Main Event.
What's at stake for these hopefuls? Oh, just a �100,000 salary from PokerStars and �200,000 in live event buyins. That's all.
Eight of the finalists were still alive heading into today's Day 2, including the EPT French co-commentator Pierre Canali and well-known cash gamer Thomas Bichon. The race for the top spot is a close one, and Canali knows it. "At the moment," he says, "there are about four of us who are all at the top and very close in points. We are almost equal, so that doesn't make today very easy."
Bichon seems to be the odds-on favorite, at least in the eyes of Canali. "I think I have a good chance to win, but it will be very hard. This is essentially a last-longer now, and Bichon will be tough to beat."
We'd agree with Canali's summary, but after checking on fellow-finalist Diane Maarek, we think her leather gloves might be too much for the others to overcome.