2010 World Series of Poker: Team PokerNews' Picks
It's like Christmas for poker players in the Las Vegas desert today — the 2010 World Series of Poker has opened its doors to the masses. PokerNews HQ has been buzzing with discussion about which players will make this WSOP their defining moment and which big-name players won't produce results as large as people are hoping for. Here are some predictions.
Kristy Arnett, Hostess and Producer
Which under-the-radar player will be the biggest surprise? Brett Richey. He can play all the games and it's just a matter of time before he wins a few tournaments.
Which big-name pro will be the biggest disappointment? Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, because anything other than a win is a disappointment.
Who will take down WSOP Player of the Year? Jason Mercier
How many bracelets will Phil Ivey win? One
How many events will Tom Dwan play this year? Three
How many final tables Will Annette Obrestad make? Five
Which member of Team PokerNews is most likely to win a bracelet? Donnie Peters
Nicole Gordon, Senior Writer
Which under-the-radar player will be the biggest surprise? I don’t know how far under the radar he is anymore, but I have a feeling about Ryan “g0lfa” D’Angelo this year. He played an amazing tournament up at NAPT Mohegan Sun last month and cashed eight times in SCOOP. He is incredibly perceptive, adjusts well to his opponents and has a gear for every situation.
Which big-name pro will be the biggest disappointment? Daniel Negreanu. He’s all torn up because Crystal Bowersox lost American Idol and it will put him on tilt for weeks. Besides, he's too busy working on his golf game and shipping some huge bets on the links.
Who will take down WSOP Player of the Year? Jason Mercier can’t seem to stop winning tournaments. I’ve been waiting for his hot streak to end and it just keeps on going. I'm not sure he's even human. I wouldn’t put it past him to win his second bracelet this summer and make two or three final tables.
How many bracelets will Phil Ivey win? One
How many events will Tom Dwan play this year? This is going to highly depend on the cash-game action. If some oil barons show up and want to play $2k/$4k PLO I doubt we’ll see him all summer, but I’ll put my educated guess at eight events.
How many final tables Will Annette Obrestad make? One
Which member of Team PokerNews is most likely to win a bracelet? Are you kidding? We’re all donkeys. That’s why we stick to writing about this game for a living instead of trying to play it. If you see any of us at the tables, check to see if late registration is still open and run to the nearest ATM.
Elaine Chaivarlis, Managing Editor
Which under-the-radar player will be the biggest surprise? I'm going to go with a Dutchie on this one. Paul Berende qualified for both EPT San Remo and the Grand Final in Monte Carlo which took place just last month. He cashed deep in San Remo, also cashed in the Main Event in Monte Carlo, and final tabled the Monte Carlo High Roller. This will be his first World Series of Poker, and he'll probably be looking to make his mark.
Which big-name pro will be the biggest disappointment? Gus Hansen, especially if there's a high-stakes backgammon game going on anywhere near The Strip.
Who will take down WSOP Player of the Year? If he keeps running like he's running, Sorel Mizzi. He's pretty much unstoppable at the moment.
How many bracelets will Phil Ivey win? It depends how the games are going in the Ivey Room I think. I'm going to go with one, if that.
How many events will Tom Dwan play this year? He'll probably play about seven and he'll show up late for every one.
How many final tables Will Annette Obrestad make? She won a side event and final-tabled the Main Event at Aussie Millions this year and she just took down the PokerStars Sunday $500. This is her first WSOP and all eyes will be on her. I'll set the line at three.
Which member of Team PokerNews is most likely to win a bracelet? Probably one of the girls, it is the Year of the Tigress after all.
Elissa Harwood, Senior Writer
Which under-the-radar player will be the biggest surprise? I wouldn't be surprised if David "Gaucho2121" Parades becomes a well-known player by the end of the Series. He final tabled NAPT Venetian, has made deep runs in several recent EPTs, and is definitely on his game. Thayer "THAY3R" Rasmussen is also due for a big WSOP.
Which big-name pro will be the biggest disappointment? I think Annie Duke will be a big disappointment to the mainstream media writers who think that because she represented poker players on a reality show and then won the NBC Heads-Up event that she's bound to final table everything. I'm not expecting a huge showing from her this year.
Who will take down WSOP Player of the Year? Brett Richey has a good shot. He's motivated to grind all the events and is one of the most well-rounded players out there and a definite threat in all of the mixed games. His tournament style is high variance, but this easily could be the summer of Richey.
How many bracelets will Phil Ivey win? Zero. It's tough to win bracelets, even if your Phil Ivey, perhaps especially if you're Phil Ivey and playing for the bracelet or nothing. There are fewer high buy-in events that will get tiny fields this year, so he won't have as many shots at final tables. Last year was certainly his year, and it will be difficult for him to top that.
How many events will Tom Dwan play this year? Five including the $50k Players' Championship, $25k Six-Max, $10k PLO, $10k 2-7 Draw, and the Main Event. Add a sixth if he wins his made-for-TV single-table satellite into the Tournament of Champions.
How many final tables will Annette Obrestad make? One. She'll be playing mostly no-limit events with giant fields and no matter how good a player is, those are too high variance to think anyone will make more. She's not as strong at the mixed games that will get fewer runners.
Which member of Team PokerNews is most likely to win a bracelet? Kristy Arnett. The Poker Ninja is a lock to win the Ladies.
Donnie Peters, Tournament Reporting Manager
Which under-the-radar player will be the biggest surprise? Sam Stein, Sorel Mizzi and Tom Marchese are all younger players who have been on fire all year. This sets them up for a big WSOP and should make them household names if they are able to continue their hot streak.
Which big-name pro will be the biggest disappointment? Howard Lederer because he should probably just stay off the felt where he seems to make a fool of himself nowadays. Also Phil Hellmuth could have a horrible WSOP if he can't catch some cards and run good in the no-limit donkaments.
Who will take down WSOP Player of the Year? Jason Mercier. He can play all the games and will be playing a massive schedule of events.
How many bracelets will Phil Ivey win? One. The line has got to be .5, and when it comes to Ivey, you can't doubt him.
How many events will Tom Dwan play this year? Sixteen. Because of his new Full Tilt sponsorship, I believe Tilt will be pushing him to make a big splash in a few events.
How many final tables will Annette Obrestad make? Two. She's new on the WSOP scene and will give players fits at the table. If she can manage to grab a sizable stack in any event, she'll be a very prominent contender.
Which member of Team PokerNews is most likely to win a bracelet? Obviously Tony G.
Mickey Doft, Tournament Reporter
Which under-the-radar player will be the biggest surprise? Steve Sung. He made two final tables at the 2009 WSOP and won his first bracelet. More recently, he final tabled two SCOOP events and notched a victory there as well. He's one of the best players you don't know much about, but after this summer you'll know a little bit more.
Which big-name pro will be the biggest disappointment? Phil Ivey. The expectations from the poker world are through the roof. He can make five final tables, finish second in all of them, and it would still feel like a letdown to many. He spoiled us last year by winning two bracelets, and I don't think he'll match that success this summer.
Who will take down WSOP Player of the Year? Erik Seidel. He hasn't won a bracelet since 2007 but has made five WSOP final tables since then. He's as consistent as they come, and this year he will be rewarded with Player of the Year honors.
How many bracelets will Phil Ivey win? None. Remember, even the best are not immune to a bad run.
How many events will Tom Dwan play this year? Four. $10K heads-up, $10K PLO, $25K six-max, and the Main Event.
How many final tables will Annette Obrestad make? One. She's on a nice heater heading into her first WSOP and I think she'll make a splash quickly.
Which member of Team PokerNews is most likely to win a bracelet? Mickey Doft in the $2,500 Razz. Coming off a four-figure score in a recent online razz tournament, I've got a good feeling about this.
Lynn Gilmartin, Hostess and Producer
Which under-the-radar player will be the biggest surprise? Andrew Lichtenberger
Which big-name pro will be the biggest disappointment? Tom "durrrr" Dwan
Who will take down WSOP Player of the Year? Annette Obrestad. She's planning on playing a ton of events and she won her very first attempt at WSOP Europe. She has been waiting so long for this, and she's psyched and ready to rock.
How many bracelets will Phil Ivey win? Zero
How many events will Tom Dwan play this year? Seven
How many final tables will Annette Obrestad make? Hopefully, I can count on two hands, seeing as how I picked her for player of the year.
Which member of Team PokerNews is most likely to win a bracelet? My wrist is waiting for that Ladies Event bracelet but "most likely" would have to go to Mickey Doft in the Razz.
Matthew Parvis, Editor-in-Chief
Which under-the-radar player will be the biggest surprise? I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it's going to be a lady that will shock us this year, and it's going to be Lauren Kling.
Which big-name pro will be the biggest disappointment? Annette Obrestad, who I think is an absolute amazing talent. I just think it will be impossible to satisfy the hype surrounding her first official WSOP. I hope she proves me wrong.
Who will take down WSOP Player of the Year? Sorel Mizzi. The guy has the nuances of live poker down now and will be a force all summer.
How many bracelets will Phil Ivey win? OK, this may contradict my previous answer that Mizzi will win POY, but I think Ivey can win three bracelets this year. The big $10k championship events are right up his alley, and he'll be firing on all cylinders again.
How many events will Tom Dwan play this year? Dwan will play in 12 to 14 events.
How many final tables will Annette Obrestad make? One
Which member of Team PokerNews is most likely to win a bracelet? We'll probably all win one or two.
Be sure to check out the Live Reporting page as the PokerNews Team brings you every flop, turn, and river all summer long.
