The $10,000 Main Event started at the WSOP yesterday, and of course it can alter the WSOP Player of the Year (POY) rankings, but it is certain that Phil Hellmuth is the favourite to win this year. The American pro who amassed 11 World Series of Poker bracelets already has the most chance of being the best this year around.
Phil Hellmuth
Judging from his recent behaviour and lack of success made the poker community turn away from him, even disrespect him, however, his 2011 performance made it clear that the Poker Brat is still one of the best tournament players out there, and he can compete with today's aggressive online players as well.
Hellmuth finished ITM in 5 events this year. He made his first appearance at the final table at the $10,000 No Limit Deuce To Seven Draw World Championship, where he was defeated by John Juanda. Nevertheless, he won $226,907. A week later, he lost the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo Championship heads-up to Eric Rodawig, but made $273,233. After that, he finished 36th at the $5,000 NLHE - Six Handed event ($17,270) and 28th at a $1,000 NLHE tournament ($10,560). He lost his third heads-up against Brian Rast at the $50,000 The Poker Players Championship. This second place earned him $1,063,034.
His performance earned him 710,25 POY points.
The Poker Brat convinced the community not just with his results, but his attitude as well. He took the beating quite well, he stood up with dignity from the table, no tantrum and shouting. The change looks serious and we are extremely happy for him, but we cannot guarantee he won't have his usual (highly criticized) WSOP Main Event Entrance this year around.
Phil Hellmuth's Entrance - WSOP 2010:
WSOP POY TOP 10:
1. Phil Hellmuth - 710,25
2. Ben Lamb - 659,05
3. Brian Rast - 550,00
4. Chris Moorman - 486,20
5. Bertrand Grospellier - 479,25
6. Samuel Stein - 416,13
7. Joe Ebanks - 410,25
8. Owais Ahmed - 408,03
9. Mikhail Lakhitov - 401,80
10. Jason Mercier - 385,33
Phil Hellmuth
Judging from his recent behaviour and lack of success made the poker community turn away from him, even disrespect him, however, his 2011 performance made it clear that the Poker Brat is still one of the best tournament players out there, and he can compete with today's aggressive online players as well.
Hellmuth finished ITM in 5 events this year. He made his first appearance at the final table at the $10,000 No Limit Deuce To Seven Draw World Championship, where he was defeated by John Juanda. Nevertheless, he won $226,907. A week later, he lost the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo Championship heads-up to Eric Rodawig, but made $273,233. After that, he finished 36th at the $5,000 NLHE - Six Handed event ($17,270) and 28th at a $1,000 NLHE tournament ($10,560). He lost his third heads-up against Brian Rast at the $50,000 The Poker Players Championship. This second place earned him $1,063,034.
His performance earned him 710,25 POY points.
The Poker Brat convinced the community not just with his results, but his attitude as well. He took the beating quite well, he stood up with dignity from the table, no tantrum and shouting. The change looks serious and we are extremely happy for him, but we cannot guarantee he won't have his usual (highly criticized) WSOP Main Event Entrance this year around.
Phil Hellmuth's Entrance - WSOP 2010:
WSOP POY TOP 10:
1. Phil Hellmuth - 710,25
2. Ben Lamb - 659,05
3. Brian Rast - 550,00
4. Chris Moorman - 486,20
5. Bertrand Grospellier - 479,25
6. Samuel Stein - 416,13
7. Joe Ebanks - 410,25
8. Owais Ahmed - 408,03
9. Mikhail Lakhitov - 401,80
10. Jason Mercier - 385,33
