November Nine: Antoine Saout
by Chad Holloway of Predictem.com
Little is known about 2009 November Nine finalist Antoine Saout. The Frenchman was born in 1984 in Morlaix, France and now resides in San Martin des Champs. The former engineering student had only been playing poker for about a year when he made the final table of the 2009 World Series of Poker. In fact, Saout’s only live tournament cash came in November 16, 2008 when he finished in 6th-place at the 2008 Spanish Poker Tour-Marbella for $7,276. Cardplayer Magazine conducted an interview with Saout where he disclosed:
The first time I really played poker was two years ago on the Web, after seeing my sister playing from time to time on Everest Poker, where she had an account. I did the same and created an account on it, after learning the rules, and little by little discovered how to play true poker . . . At first, indeed my family wasnt happy about it, seeing me spending my time on the computer the whole day. They tried to convince me to find a real job and put poker aside, which I did for a while in 2008 for four months during the summer . . . I went back to poker, and since the beginning of this year, my mother is truly being supportive after seeing my good results. Now, shes very proud of me, of course.
Saout won his entry into the 2009 Main Event by winning a $50 satellite on Everest Poker. As a result, Saout became sponsored by the site and became one of their pros after making the final table.
Everests Director of Poker Sandrine Mangia-Park said, France is where Everest Poker first launched, and to have a French player on the final table who qualified with us is very exciting. He joins an increasingly well-respected team of real poker players who all support each other in the biggest tournaments around the world. On top of this, Saout’s performance has allowed 51 qualifiers from Everest Poker to split a $1 million bonus, which is roughly $19,000 per person.
Saout will begin the 2009 Main Event final table in 8th chip position with 9.5 million. In the meantime, he can be found playing online at Everest Poker under the screenname “Tonio292.” Saout understands the impact of being a 2009 November Niner: I think it could help the image of poker, which is not always well regarded. There has always been passion for the game in France This brings hope to lots of players who wish to follow in my wake.