Posted by Andrew Feldman
In a month that started with controversy about the final table, the end finally has arrived and the World Series of Poker starts today. With more $10,000 and $5,000 events than ever, the pros will get their wish and their opportunity to reclaim the WSOP, but in addition to
Gary Wise, who and what am I watching this year?
• The expansion of the international field. This could be the biggest side story nobody is talking about. While there are continual concerns about the poker boom peaking here in the United States, the love of the game continues to grow internationally. The creation of the Latin American Poker Tour earlier this year, in addition to the Asia Pacific Poker Tour and the European Poker Tour, shows players everywhere still are infatuated with the game. These players obviously will make their way to the main event, but will they head to Vegas for the preliminaries?
After watching the action last year, I can only imagine the percentage of U.S. players will decrease this year, but that loss will be made up by the addition of these international players. I'm looking for an increase in overall players this year, and I think the majority of the increase will come from abroad. In 2007, 87 countries were represented at the WSOP. How many players will each country send this year?
• The numbers game. I've heard a lot of negative remarks regarding the attendance at the two biggest events: the main event and the $50,000 HORSE event. It's tough to say which direction these two events will head, but given the economy's current situation, I imagine more of the satellite winners will opt to take the $10,000 instead of risking it at the WSOP. That said, I'm still looking for an overall increase at both the main event and the HORSE event. These are the two biggest events in the world, and the dream of every poker player is to become their champions.
• The double bracelet winner. Who's it going to be this year? There have been four double bracelet winners over the past three years, but given these fields, it's hard to imagine it's even possible. I remember a conversation with some media members during the 2005 WSOP about the possibility of a double bracelet winner happening again. Those involved all answered with a resounding, "No." In 2005, it was Mark Seif. 2006 marked the successes of Jeff Madsen and Bill Chen. In 2007, WSOP Player of the Year Tom Schneider struck double gold. Who will it be this year? I'm interested to see whether this amazing feat can be accomplished once again.
• Hi! My name is … This is one time of the year that when someone mentions Joe Smith is the chip leader, I'm not surprised at all. The WSOP is an opportunity for every player to become a poker star. Poker players come out of the woodworks to play for glory, and because of that, half the bracelet winners this year will be players nobody has heard of yet. I love it. New personalities, new blood and new players who believe Phil Hellmuth is just another beatable opponent in the field. So who's it going to be? If you're the one, come up and introduce yourself in Vegas.
• The meaning of 21 in Vegas. Sure, all the talk of Tom "Durrr" Dwan becoming the next big thing dominates when the discussion turns to the young online players, but thousands of rounder-watching 21-year-olds finally are eligible to play at the WSOP. Who will be the next 21-year-old to steal our attention? Lance Bradley, the managing editor at Bluff magazine had a great rundown of these players on the WSOP Web site. Will Durrr live up to his expectations, or will he go back to the high-stakes online games at the end of each day?
• More live events than ever. Together with the WSOP and Bluff Media, ESPN360.com will bring fans the final table of 25 events live. The complete schedule will be announced shortly, but these live events will allow everyone to be part of the action as it occurs each day.
With the $10,000 pot-limit hold 'em event starting Friday, this WSOP is sure to be one that will change history. Follow all the coverage on ESPN.com over the next six weeks and then once again in November when the main-event final table concludes.
Small Blinds:
Mark Seif and Gavin Smith have quite a bit of side action on their fantasy poker teams. After all, we're talking about poker players who don't do anything for "fun." … Phil Gordon and his wife, Barb, had a son Wednesday evening. Xander, Mom and Dad all are happy and healthy. … 2006 main-event final tablist Erik Friberg finished sixth in the EPT event in Barcelona. … David Singer won the $25,000 Full Tilt Heads-Up Poker Championship on Sunday, the largest buy-in tournament in online poker history. … Phil Hellmuth was a little under the weather this week. How will this affect him at the start of the WSOP? … There were 351 entrants in the first event of the WSOP.
Poker
