On November 5th, Ireland’s Eoghan O’Dea(pictured) will return to the Rio in Las Vegas armed with the second largest stack in the World Series of Poker Main Event. A member of the 2011 WSOP November Nine, O’Dea bagged up 33.9 million in chips in July, second only to Martin Staszko‘s 40.2 million. If O’Dea were to win, it could spur a poker boom of sorts in Ireland and he’ll likely come to Sin City armed with a sea of rowdy fans. Read more about the 2011 WSOP November Nine.
O’Dea is the son of Donnacha O’Dea, a bracelet winner who also reached the final table of the WSOP Main Event in 1983 and 1991. PocketFives.com caught up with the younger O’Dea to preview this year’s November Nine.

PocketFives.com: You held the chip lead for so long in the final hours of the WSOP Main Event in July. Is it disappointing not to have the chip lead entering the November Nine?

Eoghan O’Dea: No, it’s not disappointing at all to be second in chips with nine left even though I did hold the lead for a while with two tables left down to 10 players. I think I’d feel a little bit of pressure to win it if I were leading the table, so all in all, I’m pretty happy with my position.

PocketFives.com: Talk about what was going through your head in the final hand against John Hewitt(pictured) that saw him get knocked out in tenth place. You called his 3bet shove pre-flop with K-J and he showed pocket threes.

Eoghan O’Dea: It was a pretty standard hand because he was pretty low in chips and couldn’t force me to fold for what he had in chips. I didn’t call that quickly, as for a second, I thought he actually had more chips than he did. I had K-J versus his pocket threes and it came a good flop. Then, it was game over on the turn card. I was pretty relieved to get it over with then. Ten-handed hadn’t been going great for me at that stage of the tournament.

PocketFives.com: How much will the poker industry in your native Irelandchange if you win the Main Event? What is the poker environment like there now?

Eoghan O’Dea: It has slowed down a bit in the last few years in Ireland just like it has in a lot of other countries. I’d imagine a lot more young people will start to come in again. Irish people have always enjoyed a game of cards and a bit of gambling!

PocketFives.com: Is there added pressure on you given that your father is Donnacha O’Dea, who has had an incredible amount of success in the Main Event?

Eoghan O’Dea: I don’t feel any pressure at the moment. Maybe if I get heads-up, I’ll feel some, as you’d be so close to winning the Main Event and have a one-day delay to play the heads-up match.

PocketFives.com: To what degree will you fine-tune your game in the next three months? Also, what are your thoughts on the November Nine setup in general?

Eoghan O’Dea: I don’t think I’ll be fixing too much in my game. I’ll try to study the other players and maybe myself a bit in terms of whether I gave off anything at the table. I think it makes it a bit more exciting having the final table in November.

PocketFives.com: If you won the $8.7 million top prize, what would be your plans for the money?

Eoghan O’Dea: I have no real plans for the money. Gamble higher 🙂

PocketFives.com: Talk about the influence of “Late Night Poker” on your game.

Eoghan O’Dea: I used to love “Late Night Poker.” I never missed one show and it got me hooked for sure.

PocketFives.com: Did the Main Event being on ESPNand on the internet on a 30-minute delay change your game plan or how you played in any way?

Eoghan O’Dea: Yes. I think it was pretty ridiculous how it was done. I think other players were getting more information than I was. I don’t think ESPN should have been allowed to show hands while we were still playing.

PocketFives.com: Who is coming with you to Las Vegas for the November Nine weekend?

Eoghan O’Dea: I think there are going to be at least 100 Irish people. I won’t name them all 🙂