Best Without A Bracelet
Everybody knows a WSOP bracelet is tough to come by, and even with the increased number of events each year, the sheer size of most of the fi elds makes every event a minefi eld that the pros need to cautiously tip-toe through in order to get their hands on the gold. In fact, the minefi eld is so treacherous that some of the world’s best players – who have accomplished more than most of us could in ten lifetimes – still have yet to win a coveted WSOP wrist ornament. Rest assured though, guys – last year, Erick Lindgren was on this list, and we all know how that turned out!
ANDY BLOCH
This former MIT Blackjack team member has over $3 million in tournament earnings, including a high number of WSOP cashes and fi nal tables. In 2006 Bloch faced off against the late Chip Reese for the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E title and was poised to take the crown before a few unlucky breaks and some great play by Reese ultimately left Bloch as runner-up. Again last year, Bloch was in a similar spot, going heads-up for the very fi rst bracelet of the year against Nenad Medic, but it wasn’t in the cards then either. Maybe, just maybe, this will be Bloch’s year. His recent dedication to playing a full slate of WPT events leading up to the WSOP may help him with the killer instinct (and tad of luck) needed to enter the world of wristed bling.
PATRIK ANTONIUS
The 28-year-old Finn, despite crushing the game at just about every level, has never achieved a huge amount of WSOP success. In fact, he has never won a large live poker event, although he does have an impressive fi nal table record. Antonius came closest with his back-to-back $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha fi nal tables at the ’07 and ’08 WSOP, fi nishing third and seventh respectively. He also fi nal tabled the inaugural $50,000 H.O.R.S.E event in 2006, although he came into that fi nal table with a little more than one big blind and never had a fi ghting shot at the bracelet. This year, look for Antonius to continue his strong Pot Limit Omaha results, as it seems to be his game of choice, and with his challenge with Tom “durrrr” Dwan in full effect, Patrik is sure to in top poker form.
GUS HANSEN
We know closing out a tournament is not a problem for Gus with four major titles under his belt – three WPT wins and one Aussie Millions title. However for some reason when it comes to the WSOP, Gus has not fared particularly well. His best shot to date was the fi rst WSOP Europe Main Event when he bubbled the televised fi nal table, fi nishing tenth. Prior to that he made deep runs into the Main Event in 2004, 2007, and 2008. It’s been about a year since his runner-up fi nish at the WPT championship, and Gus, if focused, will surely be someone to keep an eye on to make a few fi nal tables.
MICHAEL “THE GRINDER” MIZRACHI
Anyone with over $6 million in tournament cashes should always and forever be considered a force to be reckoned with, especially since, unlike some of the guys who are in that monetary bracket, Grinder has done it with a slew of great results, not one big WSOP Main Event fi nal table. Mizrachi was on the cusp in ’08 with fi ve fi nishes of twelfth or better. His third-place fi nish in the $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha was the closest he’s been to a bracelet in his career. Grinder has been relatively dormant so far in ’09 which bodes well for him, and not so well for his opponents, as he is the type of guy who likes to play as many events as possible. Expect him to instill fear into his tablemates at both the $1,000 stimulus special and the $40,000 commemorative No Limit event.
MICHAEL BINGER
Often overlooked because of his quiet, less abrasive personality at the tables, Binger has to be considered one of the most deadly opponents at the table since his third-place fi nish in the 2006 WSOP Main Event. Binger is consistently at the top of the BLUFF Power Rankings. He fi nished second in last year’s Player of the Year standings and currently sits third in the 2009 Player of the Year race presented by Lugz. With no bracelet to his name, opponents better beware this silent assassin who will undoubtedly make an appearance at a one or more WSOP fi nal tables.
