11-22-2009 12:07 UTC

Seat 7: Michel Abecassis, 57, Paris, France - 488,000 chips

[user46392]

Before becoming one of the best-known faces of French poker, Michel Abécassis embraced many different careers. He originally studied to become a doctor but, despite qualifying, he quickly set aside his stethoscope to become one of the best bridge players in the world. After 13 French Champion titles and two European titles, Michel decided he had to find more lucrative employment. He became a journalist, snagging a job at the French magazine Elle where he swiftly became chief editor. In 1997, Michel discovered poker and thus began another career, his most successful to this date. He has five titles in French tournaments, two WSOP final tables and one WCOOP PLO title from 2002. Despite playing many EPTs, this is Michel's first EPT final table - he came tenth in London in 2006 and 21st in Warsaw last month.