2010 WSOP Predictions
The WSOP kicks off in just 42 days and the buzz is beginning to really build over the event. What type of year are we in for this year. With several new events and the $1,000 events expanded, look for this WSOP to experience some record growth. Personally, I am looking forward to seeing what happens. With that said, I figured I would take some time to make my yearly WSOP predictions.
First, expect to see some tremendous growth in the events. Expect a lot of growth in the $1,000 events. The first event should easily sell out and don’t be surprised to see several other events to sell out. With the exception of Omaha and Mixed events, look for non-Holdem events to either hold their ground or experienced minimal growth with the exception of maybe the $1,500 Limit Holdem event. That event has been seeing a decline over the last couple of years and with this year’s event being a 5 P.M. event, expect more shrinkage there.
I am expecting Phil Ivey to have another strong year at the WSOP. Not a lot has been revealed in regards to prop bets or preparation, but I always put Ivey down as having a chance to have a really strong WSOP. Will it be a multi-bracelet performance? I doubt it, but with Ivey, you never know.
Expect Phil Hellmuth to win his 12th bracelet this year. Phil is due for another bracelet and his game has shown some improvement recently. Phil does great in soft fields and this year promises some of the softest fields in history. I expect that it will be a $1,000 or $1,500 event that he will win and it will be yet another Holdem bracelet.
Erik Seidel I think is also due for another bracelet. He has made some final tables over the last couple of years, but came up short in his attempt at a 9th bracelet. I think this year sees Seidel tie Johnny Moss for 3rd all-time in bracelets.
Jason Mercier is one player to watch this summer. He has been on an epic run in the last couple of years and another bracelet is not out of the question. In fact, if you were placing bets on the favorite amongst the pros to win a bracelet this year, I would put money on Mercier over Ivey.
We may see a woman take down an open event this year. In the last month, Vanessa Selbst and Annie Duke have taken down major titles. Vanessa Rousso is another that could break through. If she is focused and really on her game, I think Jennifer Harman may take one down.
I don’t know why I feel this way, but I think that Jeff Lisandro will go on another huge tear this year, or he will be an utter bust this year. We really haven’t heard a lot from him since winning three bracelets last summer. I would love to see him take down more stud bracelets, but he just as well could go 0 for the series. By the way, I do not want him to go 0 for the series. It is just what my gut is telling me.
This year’s Player’s Championship could have the strongest final table since 2006. Then
again, it may be a table of utter nobodies. I think that the combination of the event being
revamped and returning to ESPN will make the pros step up the game and the true elite
will rise to the top.
The final table of the 6-handed $25,000 NL Holdem event is going to be primarily internet players is my feeling. Maybe one or two named pros.
Expect growth in this year’s Main Event. It should have grown last year, but people’s inability to plan screwed that up. There is a good chance that if the event does grow substantially that we could be looking at a $10 Million prize for first.
As my track record has proven, I may be about 50% on the above picks. I’m hoping to do a little better, but this is still poker and anything can happen. The action kicks off on the 28th and we will be bringing you coverage of the WSOP. I will also revisit this topic after the WSOP and update how I did. Until then, good luck at the tables.
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