Akenhead eliminated in ninth at World Series of Poker after losing tripled stack

Akenhead eliminated in 9th at poker world series

LAS VEGAS — London poker professional James Akenhead is the first player eliminated from the World Series of Poker main event final table after he couldn’t come from behind for the second time during the session.

Akenhead tripled up on Saturday on a miracle river queen, but lost most of the stack on two hands to Kevin Schaffel of Coral Springs, Fla.

Akenhead was eliminated when his pocket pair of threes didn’t improve against the pocket nines held by Schaffel.

He took home $1.26 million for ninth place, nothing beyond what each final table player was awarded in July when they made it to the top of a field of 6,494 entrants in the no-limit Texas Hold ‘em tournament.

The elimination made each player at least $36,000 richer.