2011 WSOP Predictions by James Guill
The 2011 WSOP Main Event is less than 2 months away. As such, predictions and speculation around the events have begun, and as many of you know, I like to share my opinions on all things poker. Here are my predictions for the 2011 WSOP.
Jason Mercier Takes Down $25,000 Heads-Up Title
I had Jason Mercier going deep in the NBC National Heads-Up finals and ultimately falling to Phil Ivey. Sadly, neither prediction came true. However, Mercier has been one of the more dominating forces in poker over the last three years, and I feel that he takes down another bracelet this year. This event I think sets up perfectly for Mercier and I think he kicks things off with taking down the first open bracelet of 2011.
Phil Ivey Takes Down $10,000 Stud World Championship
Normally I wouldn’t make a prediction on an event like the Stud World Championship, but Phil Ivey has to win something. He typically shows well in this event and was heads-up for this very title 4 years ago when it was a $5,000 buy-in event. Stud is easily his best game and I think he takes down his 9th bracelet in this event.
Erik Seidel Takes Down $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship
With Erik Seidel’s epic run so far in 2011, it is hard to not put him as a favorite in any event with a buy-in of $25,000 or more. The reason I picked him for this event is partially for his epic run and partially because he tends to run better later in the WSOP. He has made final tables or won bracelets in just about every even in the 8-game mix, so he definitely has the skills. Back in 2006, I asked him who he thought would take this down and he told me without hesitation “Chip Reese.” This year, I think most will not hesitate to tell me “Erik Seidel” if I ask them the same question.
Phil Hellmuth Takes #12
He has come close the last couple of years, but this year I think Phil takes down bracelet #12. He is looking to reestablish himself in the poker world after leaving UB.com and I think a bracelet win will help to do so. A win in something other than Hold’em would earn him more respect among the pro community, but any bracelet win should put him back in the forefront of poker.
Lacey Jones Photo by Barret Appelgate
A Woman Makes the WSOP Main Event Final Table
You read that right folks. A woman will make the WSOP Main Event final table this year. However, I don’t think it will be a known pro, or at least one that is known now. Everyone tried to make last year the “Year of the Woman” and for the poker world as a whole, it was true. The WSOP, not so much. I think this year a woman breaks through, but I do not see her taking it down. Maybe a 3rd place finish at best. Otherwise, don’t expect a big name at the WSOP Main Event final.
This years WSOP will boast the largest field of participants ever and will produce a ton of great stories. With any luck, the above stories will be among them, but regardless of what happens, this promises to be an exciting summer for poker.
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