WSOP Fantasy Draft: Whom Should I Pick?
Ahh, it seems like only yesterday 25 years ago that the Dallas Mavericks had to choose between Sam Perkins and Charles Barkley … (Hakeem Olajuwan, Sam Bowie, and Michael Jordan had all gone before them.)
This year I’ll be taking part in ESPN’s fantasy WSOP draft … so with that, I’ve got to pick some players, preferably those who will perform. Personally, I’ve got my eye on a Dallas girl named Sara Chau to surprise a lot of people … but since she will likely only be playing a few events (unless, of course, she makes a big score early), she wouldn’t be a great pick. At the same time, you know me … I’m not gonna go with the traditionals — Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, et al (though I do think Erick Lindgren would be a fine pick) — and I’d probably be too embarrassed to reveal my fanboy leanings for Clonie Gowen, Tom Schneider, and Gregg Merkow. Plus, really, no offense to those three, but they just don’t give me proper odds, ya know?
Anyhow, please share with me any thoughts or suggestions about players who seem to be on their game and ready to tear it up in the 2009 WSOP.
BTW, does anyone remember who the Mavs took with their second first-round pick in 1984? Terence Stansbury. (Highlight the white space for the answer.)
Oops.
Champ says:
May 20th, 2009 at 3:49pm
Usual Suspects: Allen Cunningham, Phil Hellmuth, Ted Forrest, Men The Master, Phil Ivey, John Phan, JC Tran, Erik Seidel, The Grinder, Elky, David Singer, Humberto Brenes, Andy Bloch, E-Dogg
(Any Full Tilt or Star’s Pro will be bought into a ton of events.)
Young Guns: Mig.com, Zeejustin, Shaun “fucking” Deeb, MoormanI, Wasika, Blair Hinkle, westmenloAA, Matros, Alex Jacobs, Raptor, Rizen, Jordan Morgan, Pearljammer
Kevin Mathers says:
May 20th, 2009 at 4:08pm
I don’t think Matt Matros is that young. To help out Dan: Mig.com = James Mackey, WestmenloAA = Isaac Baron, Raptor = David Benefield, Rizen – Eric Lynch, Pearl Jammer – Jon Turner. Two other names to think of: Yevgeniy Timoshenko, Dwyte Pilgrim (for his recent form in WSOP Circuit donkaments).
DanM says:
May 20th, 2009 at 4:09pm
thanks for the translations, kevin.
what about vivek rajkumar?
Kevin Mathers says:
May 20th, 2009 at 4:28pm
Another excellent choice. Forgot, Moorman1 = Chris Moorman.
Poker Shrink says:
May 20th, 2009 at 6:55pm
Let me see.
Last year, two final tables, one bracelet and the last big name standing in the main event (he finished 30th). I know who my pick is.
Tom Schneider says:
May 20th, 2009 at 8:58pm
Pitty the fool. Your fantasy picks have to be people who play the mix games. Why? The fields are smaller, and if you look at the final tables of the mix games they are usually good well known players, because the element of luck in fixed limit games is significantly lower.
Does this info lead you to anyone in particular?
I don’t know who falls into this category, but my fantasy team would meet the following criteria.
Plays every game well
Has the cash to play any tourney
Is in the top 20 cashes for the last 2 years combined
Finished in the top 50 POY points each of the last 2 years, if there are any.
There are some people you haven’t mentioned.
Scotty
Jeff Lisandro
David Benyamine
Barry
DanM says:
May 20th, 2009 at 9:18pm
You know, Tom, every once in a while you say stuff that makes me think you actually have a clue about what you’re talking about.
Andrew says:
May 21st, 2009 at 12:03pm
Tom’s got a good point and I think someone tried that strategy last year….