2010 May 18 | Poker Blog

In 2006, the World Series of Poker instituted a $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event to meet the demands of professionals for a higher buy-in event. The winner of the event and of subsequent events became known as the “True World Champion of Poker.” After the 2009 WSOP, the decision was made to change the format of the game to an 8 Game format and as such the event is now known as “The Poker Player’s Championship.” Somewhere between 100 and 150 of the top poker players from around the world will take part of this event, and today I thought I would make some picks at whom might do well in the event.

Phil Ivey

It does not matter what game is being played, if Phil Ivey is in the mix, he is a force to be reckoned with. Ivey made the final table of the 2006 $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event and also cashed in the event in 2008. He holds major titles in every variant of the game played in the Player’s Championship. A focused Phil Ivey is a force at the tables, and with this event being the first open event of the WSOP, expect him to come out swinging.

Jason Mercier

Many people when they think of Jason Mercier don’t think of him as a mixed game player. In December, he took down the $5k H.O.R.S.E. event at the Doyle Brunson WPT Classic and he also has a bracelet in PLO. Mercier has been one of the hottest tournament players on the circuit in the past couple of years and don’t be surprised to see him go deep in this event.

Erik Seidel

With the exception of stud games, Erik Seidel has bracelets in every form of poker being played in the 8 Game event. While he doesn’t have a stud bracelet, he did make the 10k stud final table in 2008. Seidel made the final table of last year’s $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. and should be poised to make another deep run.

Freddy Deeb

The 2007 $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Champion is always a threat in this event. He finished 14th last year in the event and may have momentum going into this WSOP with a recent win in the WPT Paris High Roller’s Event. Deeb also has three WSOP final tables in 2-7 lowball, including a bracelet.

Annie Duke / Jennifer Harman

When it comes to mixed game poker, in all honesty there aren’t very many women that consistently compete at a high level year in and year out. Annie Duke and Jennifer Harman are the exception to that rule. Annie is always making a final table in a non-Holdem event yearly at the WSOP and Jennifer Harman is always a threat to make the final table when she is focused. I put both of them into the same pick because depending on how they are running either of them or maybe even both of them can make the final. With this being the “Year of the Woman”, do not be surprised if one of them makes the final table.

Of course, every year there seems to be someone that comes out of nowhere to do well in the 50k event. Will a relative unknown do well this year or will some internet phenom step up and take his shot with the best in the business. The $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship kicks off May 28th at 5 p.m. at the Rio in Las Vegas.