When Dwan put the original challenge out, there were plenty of players that said they wanted a piece of him, but Dwan stated, “There looks to be a lot of interest in people wanting to play me, but they never seem to appear online.”  That being the case, he has taken his challenge live and will be putting up $500,000 to play anyone for 500 hands in either Omaha or No Limit Hold’em.

All of the matches will take place in London and will start out with $500/$1,000 blinds.  The match cannot end until someone is broke or the 500 hands have been played out.  Rumor has it that 4 players have stepped up to take on Dwan in his latest challenge, but no details have been released as of yet as to who they are.

Dwan continues to be one of the hottest young names in the game and with his latest circus act, he pretty much assures himself that he will remain in the limelight.  While his online play speaks for itself, his live play comes under a lot of fire as he plays very aggressively and recklessly.   He has benefited from some incredible cards during his days on the High Limit Poker show, but still donked off a lot of money as he refused to ever back off.  The style did manage to get him some large payoffs as the session was winding down, but you have to question how that will work in a heads-up match.

He no longer has the benefit of the element of surprise as everyone knows his name and how he plays.  Antonius is proving that he is very beatable if you are patient and don’t get caught up in letting him bully you out of pots.  Dwan is not afraid to throw a large amount of money at the pot in order to take it down regardless of what he has in his hand.  You better be prepared to fight back when you have something or he will walk all over you.

Antonius has laid down the blueprint of how to beat him so far, but will other players follow his lead.  When he pushes, you have to push back and when you get a hand, you have to make him pay.  The ideal match would have him up against Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey or Daniel Negreanu. All three of those players treat chips as weapons and have no problem mixing it up with middle cards.  The fireworks would surely be going off if they sit across from Dwan in London.

It all came down to Somerville and Carris, but the two players did not waste any time in settling this one. After only a few hands of heads up play, Somerville threw all his chips into the middle of the table with Qs6d. Carris took a few seconds to think about it but then decided correctly that his Kc6d was a big enough hand to make the call. The board fell harmlessly and totally missed both players’ hands and Carris got the jewelry and $313,913 to go with it.
In other tournaments…

The story of the day on Saturday so for is easily Phil Ivey. He has been dominating the Omaha/ Seven Card Stud Hi/Low 8 or better tournament from close to the beginning and is still not letting up. At this point, they are down to only 3 players and he has a huge chip lead of almost a half million chips over second place. As impressive as that is, he is also about to make the money in the Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Low Split 8 or better tournament as well.



The truly amazing thing is that he has barely played a hand in the second tournament. As chip leader of the other mixed tournament, he has been unwilling to leave the table and risk his position in the second tournament. He has only been over there when he is on break. Once he reached the final table, he was barely noticeable, but on every break he seemed to win a key hand that kept him alive. There currently 22 players remaining with only 18 getting paid and while he is one of the short stacks, he continues to make an appearance at precisely the right time to stay alive. This will be a huge accomplishment if he somehow stays alive in that tournament long enough for his final table to be over and then make a run here as well. More to come on this one as soon as it is available.

Event 24 is also on its final table, but it would appear to have quite some time left to go as the chips are pretty event. Panayote Vilandros is the current leader with 5 players remaining. Event 26 is now down to 34 players and should be able to get down to the final table tonight as well as Event 27 with only 22 players remaining. Event 28 has already lost about 75% of the starting field and Event 29 is just getting underway. No chip counts or leader information is available as they are both on Day 1.

The final hand of the tournament had Schulman on the button and opening for 75,000. Wahlbeck then pushed it up to 250,000 and was called. Both players went with one card on the draw and Wahlbeck continued his aggressiveness by pushing all in. Schulman almost fell over getting his chips in there as quick as possible and was already making the victory sign. He flipped over 7-5-4-3-2 for the perfect hand and Wahlbeck could do nothing but take solace in the second place finish and $172,864 that went with it. Schulman collected @279,742, a huge payday for a 96 man field.

Event 22 is still a long way from being decided with 6 players remaining in what is sure to be a marathon session. Chips are getting pushed back and forth and there are really only two short stacks on the table at the moment. Dig in for a long night boys! The current leader is Jeffery Carris with 1,066,000 in chips.

In other tournaments…

Event 24 has slowed down dramatically from the pace that they had played at yesterday. To say that they are moving at a snail’s pace would be a dramatic understatement. The tournament is supposed to get down to a single table tonight, but it looks like this crew will be coming back early tomorrow to get the job done. Glenn McCaffrey is still hanging tough in third place with 330,000 in chips, but the overall lead has been taken over by Ernst Hermans with a total of 355,700.

Phil Ivey has absolutely taken over Event 25, the mixed game of Omaha & 7 Card Stud Hi/Low 8 or better. He is currently sitting on just over 130,000 in chips and is playing perfect cards. There are still about 80 players left to go, so it would be a little premature to crown him the champ already. However, with him on the lead, it is going to be very difficult for anyone with a short stack to play against him. You can expect to see elimination after elimination on his table as he will make them play for their stack when they get involved in a hand with him.

Both Event 26 and Event 27 have gotten under way and are relatively short fields. The Limit Hold’em Event only has a field of 643 and about a third of them have already been railed. That is a pretty significant number with the tournament being a limit tournament. The field for Event 27 is still floating in and should be in the 200 player range. Expect to see a lot of big names in this tournament going after the bracelet with such a short field.

Last years winners will be trying to defend there titles and make history by becoming the first player to win two World Series of Poker Europe bracelets. Thomas Bihl won last years HORSE event when he beat Jennifer Harman heads up. Last year the HORSE final table was littered with poker superstars like Jennifer Harman, Chris “Jesus” Ferguson and Kirk Morrison, no doubt the event directors will be looking for a similar showing. You can expect the HORSE tournament to be full of poker greats again this year because it will be the hardest bracelet to win in my opinion. Last years Pot Limit Omaha event was won by Dario Alioto, he also managed to make a final table in Pot Limit Omaha at the World Series in Las Vegas this year. Omaha last year brought out some big names who made big cashes Tony G finished third and Roland De Wolfe had a respectable eleventh place finish.

Last years Main Event in Europe looked as if a familiar face may win his first World Series bracelet ever in Europe. Gus Hansen was cruising, but he busted out tenth, the favorite was gone and it was anybody’s tournament. Up and coming superstar Annette Obrestad, showed her potential by taking home her first bracelet. Annette showed the world her aggressive bluffing style and may just have won the biggest tournament by a women in poker history. No doubt Obrestad will show up at this years World Series looking to build on the success she found last year. There were a lot of big names players in the top thirty last year and the event organizers will be looking for much of the same. Last year Patrik Antonius finished 29th, Erik Lindgren finished 26th, Annie Duke is 21st and Kenny Tran almost made the final table finishing in 16th.

Predictions

Event #1 – No Limit Hold’ em – The North American pros will be geared up and put a lot effort in to trying to win this event. Look for some good showing by top names players like Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu and Erik Lindgren. I think the North Americans will have to wait as Annette Obrestad wins her second World Series of Poker bracelet. Annette will be looking to prove that she is here to stay and be the first player to win two World Series of Poker will do just that.

Event #2 – HORSE – In my opinion the HORSE event is the most intriguing event at every World Series of Poker. The big names always show up and you can be assured that they will be at the final table. Scotty Nguyen won the HORSE world championship in Las Vegas at the World Series and I think you will see a lot of the same names fighting for the win in Europe. Look for another good result from Erik Lindgren, he is a great all around player and is confident after his player of the year at the World Series in Vegas. The first American to win a World Series of Poker Europe will be Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, and it will come in this event.

Event #3 – Pot Limit Omaha – Omaha has become a big game in the poker world, probably fits right behind Texas Hold’ em on the popularity scale. Europeans tend to be well rounded Omaha players and I think they will come away with another bracelet in this tournament. Last years winner Dario Alioto will have a good showing again, but I think he will come up short as Roland De Wolfe takes home the bracelet. Roland is an excellent Omaha player and I think he finally has a big win in this event.

Event #4 – Main Event No Limit Hold’ em – The main event will be everybody’s main goal, all the top pro’s want to win this title. Last year a lot of big names had big showings at this tournament, but I think you will learn a few new ones this year. Jennifer Harman will have a good showing in this tournament and Patrik Antonius will make the final table. With the bitter taste of last years bubble finish Gus Hansen will redeem himself and win the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event. Gus will be motivated and he will grind out the victory for his first bracelet.

Well we all know predictions are just that, predictions. I think Annette Obrestad, Chris Ferguson, Roland De Wolfe and Gus Hansen win the four bracelets. Of course there is the chance amateur players show up and win some tournaments, but there is no way for me to pick them. I truly enjoyed last years World Series of Poker Europe and I look for the same entertainment value this year. It all gets started on Friday September the 19th and without a doubt someone’s dreams will come true.

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Coming in at #5 is Erik Seidel. Erik Seidel is probably best known from his appearance in the movie Rounders when he was shown finishing second to Johnny Chan in the 1988 World Series of Poker. Since then, Seidel has put together a bracelet run that has him on pace to make a serious challenge at the all time lead. He holds two No Limit Holdem bracelets, 2 Limit Holdem bracelets, 2 Lowball bracelets, 1 Omaha Hi-Lo bracelet, and a Pot Limit Omaha bracelet. His last bracelet win was in 2007 for the No Limit 2-7 Lowball event. Erik is well known for his solid play and quiet demeanor at the table. I have actually had opportunity to play with Erik and he is the consummate professional.

The “Grand Old Man of Poker” comes in at #4. Johnny Moss was the first ever Main Event winner of the World Series of Poker in 1970. That year he was voted in as champion by his pears. Moss also won the 1971 and 1974 Main event. Besides Stu Ungar, Johnny Moss is the only person to ever win the Main Event three times. Overall, Moss held 9 bracelets. He held 3 in No Limit Holdem (all Main Event wins), 3 in Seven Card Stud, 2 in Ace to Five Lowball, and 1 in Stud 8 or better. Moss’s legend was made long before the World Series ever existed. 1949 he played a 5 month marathon session with Nick the Greek. At the end of the marathon, Nick the Greek simply told Moss, “Mr. Moss, I have to let you go.” Moss played professionally all the way up to his death. Johnny Moss passed away in 1995 at the age of 88.

Third and Second place are held by two men that really need no introduction to many in the poker world. Both men hold 10 bracelets at present.

Johnny Chan is the last man to win back to back Main Events, winning both the 1987 and 1988 Main Event. He almost made it three in a row but lost in 1989 to Phil Hellmuth. Chan can always be seen with his signature orange at the table. He started carrying it back in the days were smoking were allowed in poker rooms. He would use it to try and freshen the air a bit. Chan bracelets include 3 in No Limit Holdem, 2 in Pot Limit Omaha, 1 in Limit Holdem, 1 in 2 to 7 Lowball, 1 in Pot Limit Holdem, 1 in 7 card Stud, and 1 in Heads-up Match Play.

Doyle “Texas Dolly” Brunson is considered both the Godfather of Poker and the greatest poker player alive today. He is legendary for winning both the 1976 and 1977 World Series of Poker holding 10-2 for the final hand. Doyle Brunson’s book Super System and follow up book Super System II have taught millions of player around the world how to play poker of all types. Doyle holds four bracelets in No Limit Holdem, 1 in Seven Card Stud, 1 in Stud 8 or Better, 1 in Razz, 1 in 2-7 Lowball, 1 in H.O.R.S.E., and 1 in Mixed Doubles. His last bracelet was in 2005 for the $5,000 No Limit Holdem event. He won the event with 10-3 offsuit. At 75 Brunson is still a forced to be reckoned with. At this year’s WSOP he finished twice in the money, including the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event.
#1 on the list of all-time bracelet holders at the World Series of Poker is none other than Phil Hellmuth. Phil is commonly known as the “poker brat” for his antics and attitude at the poker table. He won the 1989 Main Event against Johnny Chan and for nearly the last 20 years has been referred to by many, including himself, to be the best Holdem player ever. All of Hellmuth’s eleven bracelets are in Holdem. Seven are in No Limit Holdem, three are in Limit Holdem, and one is in Pot Limit Holdem. To quote Norman Chad, “He is referred to as a one trick pony. But what a trick it is.” Phil will be first to tell you that it is very possible that his 11 bracelets could have very well been at least 14. In 2006, besides winning his 10th bracelet, he finished 2nd and 3rd in two other events. At this year’s WSOP, Hellmuth finished third in the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. event and made the final table of another event.

With the size of the massive fields in the Main Event and other No Limit Holdem events, many pros are fining it tougher to win a bracelet. Many are turning to mixed events and higher buy-in No Limit events to give themselves a better chance at another bracelet. Also, the number of tournaments held at the World Series of Poker makes for many long days and a long six weeks. Doyle Brunson has admitted that it is a very tough task on him physically to compete for so long. Brunson and I spoke about this in 2006 when he told me that he has to pick his spots now and plays events he feels he has the best shot of doing well.

One thing that you will notice with all the players on this list is that they play multiple games well. While Hellmuth does have 11 Holdem bracelets, you will notice that he has cashes and deep runs in most poker variants. One thing to remember with any of these pros is that no matter how old they are, they still have the experience that years of play has given them. This type of experience is the type you cannot learn by playing online poker only.

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First, what is your best game? Many players that are only Holdem Poker players just looked at this article in utter confusion. The World Series of Poker is a set of over 50 tournaments. While No-Limit Holdem Poker is the most popular game in the world, you have many other games to contend with. Omaha Poker, Omaha Hi-Lo Split, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud 8 or Better, Razz Poker, 2-7 Lowball, and H.O.R.S.E. are all events that are played annually at the World Series of Poker.

If you are a holdem player, are you better at Limit or No-Limit. If you are a mediocre No-Limit player and a regular winner at limit, then you will want to play limit holdem. If Stud is your best game, you will want to play stud. Another consideration is where you have the most success in regards to tournaments. Personally, my best game is Stud 8 or Better. However, at the time that I played my first World Series of Poker in 2006, I was showing better overall results in Limit Holdem events. As a result, I played in Event #4, which was Limit Holdem. I made the money of the event.

After you decide what you want to play, you want to decide how much you want to spend. Do you want to buy-in directly to the event or satellite your way in? If you want to satellite your way in, how much does the event cost you want to play. If you want to enter a $1,500 event, you will need to play $175 satellites. If you want to play a $2,000 event, you will need to play the $225. The satellites go up according to the buy-in of the event. I would recommend spending no more than 3 to 4 satellite entries to try and win your way in. If you cannot win your way in, try again for a different event or buy-in directly.

If you want to take off the pressure of having to win a satellite, then put back the money for a buy-in and then play satellites to try and save money. Personally, the later is the approach I take. As a result, I put back around $2,200 for each event. For the 2007 WSOP, I didn’t even play satellites for the first event which was again a Limit Holdem event. Fortunately, I finished very well in the money and was able to pay most of my other entries for the series with the money won.

So to review, play the game that gives you the best chance to do well. Then decide the plan of attack to enter the event. Beyond that, make a budget for the money you want to spend for cash games and souvenirs and stick to that plan. Have fun at the World Series of Poker!

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