ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (4:00 PM)

We're getting Kelly Kim. Send in those questions!

Buzzmaster

  (4:01 PM)

We've got Kelly!

Brian (Detroit)

What has been the best part of the break?

Kelly Kim

  (4:02 PM)

I guess the best part is the potential to get outside of poker and chances to get endorsements and things we might not have had before.

Ryan (Philly)

What did you think about Demidov's WSOP Europe performance?

Kelly Kim

  (4:03 PM)

I think it's a great accomplishment. I'm quite envious. To get to the final table of two events in the same year, it's a feat in itself. It's incredible. He's a hell of a player.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Kelly, What do you do to get ready before you play?

Kelly Kim

  (4:04 PM)

That's an interesting question. Right now, I'm just preparing mentally for it. It's going to be really intense. I'm realistic, because I know I need to get lucky early. I'll stick around as long as possible.

Jake (Syracuse)

Kelly, what are you gonna do about being the short stack?

Kelly Kim

  (4:05 PM)

I'm going to look for a situation or a spot to get my money in. I'll hope to get in a situation where I'm 60-40 or 70-30. I understand situations very well. I have nothing to lose. I'm going to take some chances and hope for the best.

Phillip (Indy)

KK - You had a pretty big chip lead heading into Day 7, did anything go wrong to lead you into a tough spot at the bubble?

Kelly Kim

  (4:07 PM)

Going into Day 7, I think I was fifth in chips. At that point, my whole strategy was to put myself in a position to win the tournament. But that day nothing went my way. I slowly just lost chips. My focus changed from winning the tournament to finishing in the top 9. To finish 9th became my focus. Now that I've done that, I'm going to gamble a litlte bit and try to move up.

Chris (vegas)

Did you get any additional sponsorship money by making the fianl 9?

Kelly Kim

  (4:08 PM)

Right now we're working on a couple of things. It's unfortunate because the timing is bad. It's really hard to coordinate it with outside sponsorships. The corporations want to budget their marketing. I'm hop

Tuan(Boston)

Luck or Skill?

Kelly Kim

  (4:09 PM)

That's a good question. You need a combination of both. Obviously it's better to have skill in the long run. But in this tournament, I don't mind being the luckiest person. If there is a time to get lucky, this is the time.

Armand (Phoenix AZ)

Do you anticipate players putting a target on you early, trying to eliminate you, or do expect the play to be tight early on?

Kelly Kim

  (4:11 PM)

My guess is that initially, it's going to be tight. There's a huge drop between ninth and eighth. I anticipate everyone to play tight early until I double or bust. I think for the first half hour or so, they'll play tight.

Rick (St. Louis)

Did they already assign seat numbers? If so, what is your seat?

Kelly Kim

  (4:12 PM)

I don't know exactly what's going to happen. We're not going to know for sure until we get out there in a couple of days.

Adam (Miami)

If you could pick one player to win, not youself, who would it be?

Kelly Kim

  (4:13 PM)

I think Chino. He's only the other person that I know of in the final table. We've kind of gone in the same career path in poker.

Cameron (Jacksonville)

Do you think that ESPN portrayed you well?

Kelly Kim

  (4:13 PM)

I think ESPN did a good job of portraying me. I've watched all the episodes to date. The hands that I've had have been good. I think overall it's been well done.

Andy (San Antonio)

I call it "bubble time" - time taking to get the last elimination in before the final. I CANNOT STAND BUBBLE TIME!! How long did bubble time last for yall?

Kelly Kim

  (4:15 PM)

The bubble time took like 2.5-3 hours. I have the most pressure and I have the shortest stack. I'm glad I squeaked in.

Word Up, Charlotte

What factors will lead you to avoid a player at a table? Running hot, bigger stack?? Good luck next week.

Kelly Kim

  (4:16 PM)

Definitely both of those factors I would consider. Obviously, everyone will have a bigger stack. Poker is about momentum. Initially, I'm not going to be able to avoid anyone.

Joe G (Las Vegas)

The hand where you raised and got re-raised by Cantu with 5 10 offsuit, were you prepared to gamble with him if it had gotten folded back around to you?

Kelly Kim

  (4:17 PM)

I thought of that. Initially my instincts were that he didn't have that much of a hand. I thought of moving in. I thought he didn't have that big of a hand, but when someone moved in, I didn't. Was I going to move in? I wasn't sure.

Logan, La Mirada, Ca

What would you say your style of play is and how has it helped you be so succesfull in tournament play ?

Kelly Kim

  (4:19 PM)

My style generally is tight aggression. It's so slow. Initially, the structure isn't slow. My style is perfect for that kind of play and it worked out well in this tournament specifically.

Jimmy (South Dakota)

How would you be as an ambassador to the game?

Kelly Kim

  (4:20 PM)

I think I'd be a good ambassador. It'd be my No. 1 focus. I'd love to represent the game that I play and the game that I love to play.

Allison (Cali)

What is it like being a professional poker player?

Kelly Kim

  (4:21 PM)

It's hard. People struggle all the time. You have to manage. Money management is the most important. Everyone shows up not knowing if you'll have more money at the end of the day than you started with.

Sean (East Hartford CT)

Congrats on getting into the final table, excellent strategy in my opinion, I would have done the same thing. How long do you think it will take you to say your first all in?

Kelly Kim

  (4:22 PM)

I think it may happen within the first two rounds or first 20 hands. This is where the luck comes in. I have to find a hand that I think will hold. I didn't play all those days to go away right away.

George, CA

If you, the underdog got lucky and won the whole thing, what would you do with the money?

Kelly Kim

  (4:22 PM)

I'm going to take care of my friends and family. I'd put some money into charity. And I'll invest it.

Kevin (Boston MA)

Kelly how many times during the WSOP did you find yourself having to change gears? Were certain tables there for the taking and others super tight?

Kelly Kim

  (4:23 PM)

My whole strategy changed from winning it to finishing in the top 9. Each day, you have to pick a strategy based on chip counts.

Mike (cincy)

I saw you playing online last night, do you consider yourself more of a cash game pro than a tournament player?

Kelly Kim

  (4:24 PM)

I go through different phases. A couple of years ago, I was in tournaments. Last year, I played in cash games. But I wouldn't miss the WSOP events. But to answer your questions, I guess I'm more of a cash game player.

Pete (NC)

So what is the schedule for the final table? When is it and how long is it slated to last?

Kelly Kim

  (4:26 PM)

We start back on Sunday the 9th at 10am. They didn't want the media to leak out the results prior. Playing Sunday at 10, the media will have it out Monday. But the final results won't be showed until they air it on Tuesday.

Kelly Kim

  (4:26 PM)

Thanks for all the support. I hope I put on a show next week.