The 2016 World Series of Poker is true across the corner, and the 47th annual WSOP will kick off official gold bracelet play on June 1. The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas will again be home to poker's most prestigious tournament series, and this year there'll be 69 official gold bracelet events.
The time leading as much as another massive poker summer is often a thrilling one, especially here within the PokerNews offices. As we enjoy doing every year, our team got together for an extended list of 2016 WSOP predictions. For this year's edition of our predictions piece, our team of staff analysts encompass PokerNews Editor-in-Chief Donnie Peters, Strategy Editor Martin Harris, PokerNews.NL Editor Frank Op de Woerd, staff editor Mo Nuwwarah, Remko Report host Remko Rinkema, and contributor Marty Derbyshire.
We'll be doing these predictions in two parts. Within the first part, we hit on big storylines, WSOP Player of the Year, big guns Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, and Phil Hellmuth, and Howard Lederer and Chris Ferguson.
Here is the primary of our 2016 WSOP PokerNews Staff Predictions.
1. What's your top storyline heading into the WSOP?
Peters: Originally, my top storyline going into this summer was going to be surrounding the Colossus II, but now that Lederer went and dropped that bomb of an apology letter, he may well be the highest storyline as everyone will certainly be waiting to peer if he'll appear or not. With a purpose to be his choice, but I'd wish to not allow Lederer take over my thoughts going into the summer, so I'll stick to the Colossus storyline.
The question is: How big will Colossus be? I'LL take the over on 30,000 and hope the WSOP is ready for any such large crowd. Within the WSOP Twitch Town Hall last week, Jack Effel said capacity was around 30,000. The WSOP projected 11,500 last year and got 22,374, and all signs this year point to the development being much, much bigger.
Harris: The WSOP faces enormous logistic challenges, and each year seems to present itself new ones to complicate things even further because the schedule gets increasingly packed. It kind of feels yearly in the course of the first week or two the complaints and controversies emerge at this kind of rate that it kind of feels the entire production is being threatened, the same as a plane encountering heavy turbulence during its ascent previous to leveling off at a more steady cruising altitude. For that reason, heading into this year's WSOP I'm most interested to look how smooth (or not smooth) the ride appears to be in the course of the first 10 days or so before things settle.
Op de Woerd: For me, the highest storyline getting in is Dzmitry Urbanovich going for 3 bracelets. We have seen newcomers aiming for large targets before, but here is a guy who's already had an excessive amount of succes and going for the top possible very quickly — not one, not two, but three bracelets! It is a fun sweat entering into. Only a grinding beast going to Vegas for nothing but glory and money. I DO NOT see him ever reaching his goal, however the storyline alone is cool enough.
Nuwwarah: My top storyline is the WSOP debut and accompanying prop bet of Urbanovich, where he stands to win $2 million from Vanessa Selbst if he can bink three bracelets. She should be at the right side in a pure odds sense, but it surely could be fun to look this become a sweat.
Rinkema: Summer camp is back! The WSOP is my favorite time of the year, and the truth that it's that point again makes me very excited. As a poker fan first, it's a kind of things I'D hate to overlook. Many amazing storylines will develop through the summer, and i am waiting for uncovering what lies ahead. If I needed to pick a storyline coming in, I MIGHT say it's probably that the changes the WSOP has made are a super thing to seem forward to. The eQueue payout process, having the ability to wear headphones within the money, and Kevin "Kevmath" Mathers taking the reins of the social media accounts are all things I FEEL the entire product will benefit greatly from.
Derbyshire: In 2015, it was suggested that the WSOP had lost it's luster. The organization has made numerous player- and fan-friendly changes to be able to get it back heading into 2016. I'm interested to look in the event that they can run the Series freed from the type of mistakes, controversies, and public relations blunders that experience plagued them within the past, returning the WSOP name to its former glory.
2. Which non-Main Event tournament are you looking ahead to most?
Peters: I usually pick the $50,000 Poker Players' Championship for this one, but with my anticipation of the Colossus being so big, that is the tournament I'm waiting for the most.
Harris: Among WSOP events, I WILL BE most fascinated with the $111,111 High Roller for One Drop which starts an afternoon before the primary Day 1 flight of the primary Event and can steal one of the most attention for those first few days of it. In truth, though, the non-Main Event tournament I'm most excited about can be a non-WSOP event, too — the $300,000 Super High Roller Bowl happening on the ARIA from May 29-June 1 (which will also steal considerable attention clear of the WSOP because it cranks up).
Op de Woerd: Besides the high roller events, I'm most looking ahead to the Tag Team tournament. The concept that is one I THINK in. I've played it before and it is a ton of fun to team up in poker. It will become interesting to look what sort of strategy teams arise with, and what remarkable teams will jump in. I WILL already see some crazy match-ups and dynamics on the table. This could be a fun one to rail.
Nuwwarah: The Colossus. I'm curious to peer if the numbers drawn last year have endurance and even increase, and if the WSOP has cleaned up the logistical issues from last year.
Rinkema: Each year my answer to this question would be the same: the $50,000 Poker Players' Championship. With the ability to see the highest players on this planet compete on the highest level in an ideal number of games is the top of the summer for me. It is a shame ESPN now not broadcasts it, but live streaming will do for me this year.
Derbyshire: Colossus II dominates the schedule within the early going and it'll be interesting to peer in the event that they can draw over 25,000 players, confirming again that the poker world is alive and well.
3. Who will win WSOP Player of the Year?
Peters: I'll never be capable of pick a one-trick pony who only players no-limit hold'em for this one, and this year could be no different. I'LL go together with Scott Clements. The two-time gold bracelet winner plays the entire games well enough to contend in any respect times, and he's always someone who racks up a handful of cashes each summer on the WSOP. But this year, I ACTUALLY search for Clements to polish within the 11 Omaha events at the schedule.
Harris: The question recalls another minor storyline left over from a year ago — will the factors be the similar for determining the WSOP POY (i.e., "powered" by the worldwide Poker Index)? But the POY is determined, I'm choosing Ismael Bojang this time as my pick. The German has 32 WSOP cashes and only started collecting them in 2012.
Op de Woerd: Urbanovich. He will play everything he can. I've seen countless young players come to Vegas for the primary time, and almost all of them broke down halfway through and were only seen with hanging shoulders busting tournament after tournament three weeks in. I AM HOPING Urbanovich is different and he can really make a touch. He told me he's up for it, and doesn't turn away from grinding for several weeks. No parties for him, no drinking, and that $2 million bet; all ingredients to make this a summer to bear in mind for him. Even he doesn't reach winning three bracelets, his skills in all of the games and backbone (and bankroll) to play everything must be good for a high ranking finish within the POY race.
Nuwwarah: Stephen Chidwick. The drought ends this year.
Rinkema: Chidwick. The person is able to installed volume, and he's shown again and again that he’s just a few good run outs clear of winning his first bracelet. Chidwick always puts within the work and last summer he cashed at least seven events in seven different formats. This may be Chidwick's year with a large championship bracelet.
Derbyshire: It will be the year of Chidwick. He always seems to make multiple final tables, but this year I'm thinking multiple bracelets, including a $50,000 Poker Players' Championship win.
4. Who will win the $50,000 Poker Players' Championship and the $111,1111 One Drop High Roller?
Peters: The 2 Jasons — Jason Mercier will capture the gold within the $50,000 Poker Players' Championship, and Jason Koon will win the $111,1111 One Drop High Roller.
Harris: Scott Seiver will win the $50,000 PPC, and Anthony Zinno will take down the $111,111 One Drop High Roller.
Op de Woerd: It is a bit impossible for me to pass judgement on the players on this tournament, as I DO KNOW next to nothing about their skills in all the games, but going by the final-table appearances players made on this last event, I MAY get a hold of dozens of names for this one. I'll just go along with Negreanu for the heck of it. He's outfitted for the WSOP again and this tournament need to be high up on his list.
I've been covering hands from Timofey Kuznetsov for years now, not knowing who was behind the Russian account "Trueteller". Last EPT Grand Final, I witnessed his play for the primary time. Though he didn't fare too well within the high roller tournaments I covered him in, I instantly saw he transitioned well from the web felt to the live arena. His skills are commonly known, and people along with his live demeanor should make for a winning combination.
Nuwwarah: Chidwick wins the PPC, Seiver wins the only Drop High Roller.
Rinkema: The $50,000 Poker Players' Championship belongs to Mercier this year. Last year it was Jean-Robert Bellande who got lucky on him, and he busted out in seventh place. This year the winner of $16.4 million in live tournaments will shine at the biggest stage and claim the bracelet that arguably will mean essentially the most to him.
The $111,111 One Drop High Roller might be a who's who of wizards, and one of the crucial experienced players at battling those fields is German star Tobias Reinkemeier. With a $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop final table under his belt, and a plethora of high roller and super high roller final tables, it is only an issue of time before he wins his first bracelet. I'm calling it that this year can be that year.
Derbyshire: Chidwick finally gets over the hump within the $50,000 Poker Players' Championship, an,d after coming so close last year, Phil Hellmuth does that and more within the $111,1111 One Drop High Roller.
5. Which big-name pro would be the biggest disappointment?
Peters: Last year I said Mercier may have a disappointing summer after a large PokerStars Spring Championship of Online Poker. He cashed four times for $1,351,930, made two final tables, and won a bracelet, so I won't be making that mistake again. I WILL go along with Zinno, who was as hot as anyone over the last few years. Variance has a cruel way of catching as much as people on hot streaks in tournament in poker, and that i think this may occasionally be the summer Zinno's positive attitude is put to the test.
Harris: Of all of the "big-name pros," Hellmuth has the top expectations — both his own and others' — each WSOP. So I'll pick him this year as a candidate for "biggest disappointment," knowing full well how foolish it's to bet against the "Poker Brat" on the WSOP.
Op de Woerd: Phil Ivey. He wasn't in Monaco for the EPT Grand Final, and that i wasn't overly impressed along with his play on the Aussie Millions this year. That's an excessively small sample to pass judgement on someone by, but so long as I'm asked to make bold predictions, I'll go together with Ivey. Within the end, absolutely anything but another bracelet or another November Nine spot might be deemed a disappointment for a player with Ivey's legacy.
Nuwwarah: Does anyone expect anything from Ivey still? In the event that they do, he's the straightforward answer. Looks like it is going to be another low-volume year from the G.O.A.T. unless he's booked some bets that we have not heard about.
Rinkema: Hellmuth. For somebody with an unconventional style, there should be a down year sooner or later. Hellmuth has proven that he is among the finest WSOP players year after year, but I'm predicting an off year for the person who's been courtside at Oracle Arena greater than tableside within the poker site. Not playing all year long sets you back, and that i think Hellmuth could be somewhat rusty.
Derbyshire: Ivey remains to be the largest disappointment on the WSOP, just because he doesn't play. Even supposing he's in Las Vegas this time, he'll be more curious about playing cash because of the absence of giant bracelet bets.
6. Which WSOP newcomer may have the most important impact?
Peters: The preferred pick is Urbanovich, of course, so I'll steer clear of that one. Cate Hall cashed within the $777 Lucky Sevens event last year, however it wasn't until the latter half the year that she really became known way to some big performances at the World Poker Tour. That said, this year can be her first real summer on the WSOP, and that i think she will make a large impact.
Harris: Win or lose, Urbanovich would definitely make an impact given the numerous tournament achievements the Polish pro has collected before turning 21. The prop bet with Selbst further ensures both he'll play a large number of events and be garnering numerous notice along the way.
Op de Woerd: Urbanovich, again. Selbst made a bold bet at good odds, but she's even scared now and sold half her action within the bet already. The player that bought half that bet tried to shop for out with Urbanovich. Selbst, the opposite player, I, and the remainder of the sector obviously still know he's an extreme long shot to succeed in the goal of winning three bracelets, but when there's anyone that may do it, it's Urbanovich.
Nuwwarah: Needs to be Urbanovich, especially since he will be firing maximum entries for his bet.
Rinkema: The perfect and most evident answer is Urbanovich, so why deviate from it? Adrian Mateos played his first Main Event last year and held the primary Event chip lead on Day 3. Fedor Holz played his first and almost made the November Nine. Urbanovich is arguably more talented than these phenoms. The Polish prodigy plays the entire games at an especially high level, and with the incentive of the $2,000,000 prop bet versus Vanessa Selbst we'll be writing his name up as overnight chip leader numerous times. Will he win the bet? Not likely. Will he run over the tables in every event he plays? You better anticipate it.
Derbyshire: Newcomer Urbanovich will need to have the largest impact. Whether he wins a bracelet or not, he says he plays all of the games, and plans to go into everything he can on the 2016 WSOP. He's certain to shake up the old boys clubs probably the most smaller-field events became and feature an incredible impact at the Series as a whole.
7. Will Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, or Phil Hellmuth, win a bracelet?
Peters: As a trio, yes, any such three will win a gold bracelet. Nevertheless it won't be some of the Phils. Negreanu hasn't one a gold bracelet in Las Vegas since 2008, but that is the year he captures one in Sin City.
Harris: Ivey is the least more likely to do so, while Hellmuth and Negreanu will both play dozens of events so that you can earn more gold. I'll guess none quite get there to win considered one of this year's 69 bracelets.
Op de Woerd: I DO NOT see Ivey trying as hard this year, so I'D go along with no. Negreanu has his Rocky movies within the DVD player already, so he's ready and I'll go along with a yes for "Kid Poker." Hellmuth had a rant on social media the opposite day where he talked to himself for approximately eight updates in a row. In keeping with Hellmuth, all it really takes is motivation and focus. He claims to have both, so who am I to contradict him.
Nuwwarah: Looks like Negreanu's due after bobbing up empty the previous couple of years despite creating a bunch of deep runs.
Rinkema: Ivey hasn't cashed an event on the WSOP since racking up a min-cash within the 2014 Main Event, and that i don't see him regaining focus to seek down bracelets anytime soon. Perhaps Selbst can motivate him with a bet, but otherwise I DO NOT see him creating a big impact.
Hellmuth's going to have a down year, and that i don't see him getting another one, however the same cannot be said for Negreanu. Toronto's finest has said on numerous occasions that the WSOP is his prime focus, and everyone knows that a focused Negreanu may be very dangerous. I'LL exit on a limb predicting a no-limit hold'em bracelet for Negreanu, who hasn't won a bracelet in Las Vegas since 2008.
Derbyshire: Negreanu and Hellmuth will definitely installed the work, and if the cards fall the appropriate way, bracelets are a certain possibility. A motivated Phil Ivey will always win bracelets, but we've not seen any indication he cares in any respect concerning the WSOP, or tournament poker, anymore.
8. Will Stephen Chidwick, Mike Watson, or Allen Kessler finally win WSOP gold?
Peters: Yes, and that i think both Chidwick and Mike Watson will see some new jewelry around their wrists. But Allen Kessler? C'mon, man. They do not give bracelets for squeaking into the money.
Harris: Watson had three final tables last year, Chidwick made two (including one runner-up), and Kessler none. I'll guess this type of three — likely Chidwick — will break through and get a title this time.
Op de Woerd: I DO NOT find out about Chidwick's schedule, but since he's signed up for the $300,000 Aria Super High Roller Bowl I'm just going to imagine he's in Vegas at some point of the summer. He's playing really well, and if he's there for all of the summer, then he's going to enroll in the small-sized non hold'em fields besides again. So there is a good chance he'll win a bracelet, and with good chance I mean he has an above-average shot at them.
Watson famously went two summers without cashing, and that wasn't as a result of loss of skill. I've read Fooled By Randomness, so I AM NOT surprised by any of it anymore, but I'll just go together with yes in this one as well.
It surprised me to be informed that Kessler in truth has won 15 tournaments in his poker career. I always thought he only min-cashed. Goes to turn how much I DO KNOW about his game. Since I mostly cover tournaments in Europe, and Kessler hardly comes over, I ACTUALLY do not know anything about his game. If he's playing up to he was last couple of years though, that a minimum of increases his chances. I still go together with no for him though, only a random guess.
Nuwwarah: Chidwick and Watson both!
Rinkema: Chidwick gets his first bracelet, the others is not going to. Kessler will probably rack up a ton of cashes, and Watson gets back to being the bridesmaid after having won the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event earlier this year. NUMEROUS things need to go right for Watson.
Derbyshire: I FEEL Chidwick and Watson could be threats to win on every occasion they register. Kessler is simply a threat to min-cash and whine about structures and the shortage of comps.
9. What number of bracelets will Dzmitry Urbanovich and Jason Mercier win combined?
Peters: Three. I DO NOT know if it will be one in every of them winning all three or splitting it up, but three is my number for these two. Time to make Selbst sweat, boys.
Harris: Both will obviously be motivated to play numerous events, and both are patently capable of win in any variant. I'll say one in every of them will win an event this summer.
Op de Woerd: Two. I ACTUALLY hope I'm wrong and it'll be bigger because I REALLY LIKE both players, but these fields are only too tough and massive to move any higher. Undecided what the breakdown on that number will be.
Nuwwarah: Just one.
Rinkema: I FEEL we'll get an actual sweat in these two bets versus Selbst, and to be able to state what I HOPE for I BELIEVE that we will see a combined three bracelets for these two guys. Let's just hope they make some final tables together for max exposure of this crazy prop bet that has almost no chance of being won despite these guys being one of the best within the world.
Derbyshire: Two bracelets, both for Mercier, as Urbanovich learns that the WSOP is a significant grind and Mercier proves his consistency.
10. Will Howard Lederer or Chris Ferguson return to play a WSOP event?
Peters: All signs point to Lederer returning this year, so I'll say yes, this may happen, and it will be Lederer returning to the felt. Chris Ferguson won't be anywhere near the Rio this summer.
Harris: Ferguson will not, or even though there were rumblings about Lederer playing, I'll still guess no. I remember the fact that previous to Black Friday and the debacle that was the unique Full Tilt Poker, playing the WSOP was important to both. However, I'm curious what the incentive for either to play it again might actually be.
Op de Woerd: I MIGHT take an affordable bet that Ferguson won't return to the WSOP. Lederer goes to go into the $50,000 Poker Players' Championship and a few other tournaments, I'm pretty sure. I talked to someone within the know, and he guaranteed me he's coming. Players will tweet like crazy about it, but only a few players are going to be really in his face about it. Lederer issued an announcement before hand that contradicts the Lederer Files that appeared on PokerNews, and can wave that statement around when people give him a difficult time. Security will escort some players and railbirds out which might be too loud about it, and nothing will stand in Lederer's method to make a last table. OK, maybe a scarcity of skill will stand in his way, but that's about it probably. There'll be a large News, Views, and Gossip thread about it on TwoPlusTwo, and each site will write about it, but that's all. From this year onward, Lederer may be back yearly on the WSOP and at one point, everyone may have forgotten what had happened and just see him as a fair addition to the sphere as he's dead money.
Nuwwarah: No, I DO NOT see why they would.
Rinkema: I doubt we'll see Ferguson ever again, but when I'M to believe the rumors which have been surfacing then this is able to be Lederer's year to go back. While I FEEL his reentry into poker can be met with quite a lot of anger and potential berating on the table, I BELIEVE he might suck it up and play. Am I partial to this move? No. Is there anything we will be able to do about it? No. But no less than we will be able to hope he bricks every event to provide some a reimbursement to the community.
Derbyshire: I'VE it on good authority that Lederer desires to apologize to the poker world and return to playing tournaments on the 2016 WSOP, but I DON'T BELIEVE we'll ever see Chris "Judas" Ferguson again.
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