Four of a kind Four of a kind

At World Series of Poker, two Jews in final three

Americans Neil Blumenfield and Josh Beckley vie for top spot; fourth and fifth place holders, eliminated Monday, also Jews

By JTA 10 November 2015, 10:33 pm

Edit

Play begins at the final table of the World Series of Poker Sunday, November 8, 2015, in Las Vegas. (AP/John Locher)

Two Jewish Americans are among the three players remaining at the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event.

Neil Blumenfield of San Francisco and Josh Beckley of New Jersey are battling with chip leader Joe McKeehen of Pennsylvania in a bid to reach the finals Tuesday night at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The tournament started with 6,420 players, each of whom paid $10,000 to participate.

Jews also hold positions four and five in the competition. Max Steinberg of Las Vegas finished fourth and Israeli contender Ofer Zvi Stern fifth. Both were eliminated Monday.

Stern, 36, of Herzliya, was the second Israeli player to make the final. Amir Lehavot finished third in the 2013 tournament.

Stern was criticized for taking too long to make decisions during the final rounds.

“I do realize sometimes it may seem like it takes too long. But if you need to take a moment to make the right decision, you should take it,” he told The Associated Press. “You have a lot at stake.”