2008 World Series of Poker Final 9 Part 3: Craig Marquis

The online world probably has an official representative in the final table of this year's WSOP.

Craig Marquis is probably representing the online generation at the main event final table of the 2008 World Series of Poker. Even with well known players like David Rheem and Scott Montgomery on the poker table, Marquis now has his own name in poker he can be proud of.

Known as ''CraigMarq'' he has been tearing his opponents in the online world for about a year now. In 2007 he came 34th in the $5,000 PLH for $14,030 as well as 30th in the $1,000 NLH re-buys for $16,133 his biggest cash prize.

The 23-year-old Craig Marquis, from Arlington, Texas, has only been playing poker for about 18 months but has rocketed through the levels from $2/$4 to $200/$400 & beyond on Full Tilt. Given his background on the Internet it is hardly surprising that Marquis has just $35,759 in live winnings to his name, with all 3 of his cashes coming in the WSOP.

When he plays live poker, his signature Oakley sunglasses are firmly on his face to hide his eyes from competitors. During fifteen hour poker sessions, it's not unusual to see a cup of coffee at his side every two hours. His style of play is much focused and he takes his time when the cards cause a situation that requires deep concentration. Yep, he wants that 2008 WSOP bracelet bad.

Craig Marquis claims that live poker is too slow, making it easy for him to lose focus.

One would have thought that he would have entered an online satellite tournament to earn his seat at the WSOP, but instead he bought directly into the $10,000 Texas Hold'Em Poker tournament.

He quit his job selling cell phones after learning how to play poker, determined to go professional. He used his cash winnings to pay his bills and support himself while entering mid to high level staked cash games online.

Marquis is a heads-up specialist so expect to see his 10.2 million chips being used more regularly than some of his rivals. He won't be afraid to gamble and a quick double-up would make his 12/1 price start to look very appealing.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker Craig Marquis