Get to know Kenny Hallaert a little bit better (WSOP photo / Joe Giron)

Before the 2016 WSOP Main Event final table begins, PocketFives is providing extensive coverage of the 2016 November Nine including player features, interviews, previews, and statistics. In this edition of Five Questions we introduce you to Kenny Hallaert.

PocketFives: You were paid $1,000,000 for finishing ninth back in July. If you were forced to bet that money on one player other than yourself to win the Main Event, who would you bet on and why?

It would probably be Cliff Joseph. I mean he’s the chip leader at the moment so he has the biggest chance of winning. He has experience as well, and has chips so at the moment he’s the favourite. But things can change very quickly in poker. If Gordon Vayo wins a big pot from Cliff early on then all of a sudden he might become the favourite to win. It’s a very competitive final table and at any point the chip leader will probably have the best chance of winning. I’m not saying it’s a 50% chance of winning, but because the competition is equal I would say it’s the biggest chance of winning.

PocketFives: If you knew you were going to be stranded on a deserted island for one year and could only bring three non-living things with you, what would you bring and why?

I’ve never thought about that! Non-living things? Food and water to start with, just to survive. We assume we don’t have internet, right? I have no idea!

PocketFives: If you win the Main Event and the $8 million, what is the first extravagant purchase you will make?

I have not thought about it, and I don’t really want to think about it right now. I haven’t won the Main Event yet. I hope I will win it, but since making the final table I have just been focussing on the game itself and not think about the future. My future will obviously depend on my result in the Main Event. But if i had to buy something I might just go on a really nice vacation, or buy a nice house or apartment.

PocketFives: If a major Hollywood movie studio were to make a movie about your life, who would you cast in the lead role?

To tell you the truth I never watch movies, and I don’t know who the famous actors are right now! They’d have to be a cool guy though for sure.

PocketFives: If you could eat just one type of food for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

I love french and modern cuisine, but I couldn’t eat that for the rest of my life. I’ve put a lot of effort into losing weight so all that effort would be gone. I would probably stick to sushi.