2001 World Series of Poker

Introduction

This column is not about gambling. It's about people, and a poker tournament, which just so happens to be the biggest poker tournament in the world – the World Series of Poker world championship, starting on May 14 at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas.

Which players are the favorites to win? To answer this question, I've called upon the collective wisdom of six of the world's top no-limit hold'em players. As agreed in advance, they will remain anonymous. The end result of our collaboration is this column, the "2001 World Series of Poker Opening Odds."

What Determines the Odds?

Theoretically, the abstract odds of each participant winning are about 500-1 (based on 500 entrants). However, certain players have established track records, while others are new to the pressure and excitement of the World Series. I considered several factors when making these odds, including (listed in no particular order):

1. Previous WSOP experience and performance

2. Overall tournament record in major events in recent years

3. No-limit hold'em (and to a lesser degree, pot-limit hold'em) reputation and tournament records

4. Previous player surveys

5. Previous odds lists (1998-1999) and feedback I received (with adjustments made)

6. Rankings on my 1997-2000 "Player of the Year" lists, and European Poker Players Association (EPPA) lists

7. My opinions and those of six widely respected players

Odds to Win the 2001 World Series of Poker

90-1: T.J. Cloutier – 1998 "Player of the Year;" 43 major tournament wins, more than any player in history; won the $10,000 no-limit hold'em championship at the Diamond Jim Brady three years in a row; four World Series bracelets and four final tables in the main event – third (1998), two seconds (1985, 2000), and a fifth; the leading all-time WSOP money winner with $2.65 million. Cloutier is the co-favorite, if not the outright favorite, to win this year.

90-1: Erik Seidel – Ninth on the all-time World Series money list; four WSOP bracelets; made the WSOP final table twice, finishing fourth in 1999 and second in 1987; outstanding no-limit hold'em player, in both tournaments and live action. Unanimous peer respect puts him in the top four favorites.

90-1: Johnny Chan – Two-time world champion (1987 and 1988), runner-up in 1989, and finished seventh in 1992; six bracelets and second on the all-time World Series money list with $2.3 million. "The Orient Express" is always a threat to win.

90-1: Huck Seed – By any measure, he's one of the top five no-limit hold'em players in the world. The former world champion has made two final tables, winning in 1996 and sixth in 1999. Won last year's razz event at the World Series. A solid reputation and proven history puts him here.

95-1: David Chiu – Won the Tournament of Champions in 1999; finished 10th in the main event in 1996; won the $5,000 stud event at last year's World Series, and has two other bracelets; revered for his great "reading" skills. His chances are upgraded because every tournament player has such great respect for his talent and he's at the top of his game.

95-1: Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson – Poker's greatest living legend could have won not two, but five world championships (he won in 1976 and 1977; he could have been voted the winner in 1970; he finished second to Stu Ungar in 1980 when Ungar drew out to get the win; and he finished third in 1983). Has eight WSOP titles, more than any other player. Note: He hasn't played in the World Series since 1998 and reportedly will not play in 2001.

95-1: Phil Hellmuth Jr. – Six WSOP bracelets in the last 12 years (all in hold'em events), including the world championship in 1989; made six no-limit hold'em final tables last year, including a win at the World Poker Open. He ranked third in the no-limit hold'em category and seventh overall in the 2000 "Player of the Year" rankings.

95-1: John Bonetti – Has made the money in a staggering two-thirds of the WSOP main events he's entered since 1985; finished third twice (1994 and 1996) and eighth in 1990; always goes for the win with an aggressive style; has four WSOP bracelets. He had an off year in 2000, but is still one of the best.

95-1: Ben Roberts – Perhaps Europe's best live-action player, he's only beginning to be recognized in the United States. Based in London, Roberts finished sixth in 1998 – getting knocked out with A-A against Scotty Nguyen's Au Qu. He's a player to watch and fear.

95-1: David "Chip" Reese – Hall of Fame player with stellar credentials and respect of his peers. Reese reportedly will not play in 2001, but if he does, he clearly belongs in the top 10.

100-1: Howard Lederer – One of poker's best high-stakes players; highest finish was fifth in 1987; won his first WSOP bracelet last year. When poker greats like Doyle Brunson are asked who the best no-limit players are, Lederer's name is always mentioned. He also tutored sister Annie Duke, which should be an indication of just how good he is.

100-1: Daniel Negreanu – Played in his first WSOP in 1998 and won the $3,000 pot-limit hold'em event. After winning the United States Poker Championship in 1999, Negreanu had an off year in 2000. He came back strong in January with a win at the World Poker Challenge. He should be focused and ready this year.

100-1: Scotty Nguyen – The 1998 world champion; there's some debate if no-limit is his best game, but it's hard to argue with his results in the most prestigious events; ranked fifth in tournaments overall in 2000.

100-1: Dan Harrington – The winner of not one, but two no-limit hold'em events at the 1995 World Series, including the main event; also won the European championship that same year, and the $5,000 no-limit hold'em event at the Four Queens in 1996. He's regarded highly for his ability to survive and "get off a hand" when he knows he's beat.

105-1: John Juanda – Has enjoyed incredible tournament success the last four years, particularly in hold'em events; ranked 16th overall on the "Player of the Year" list in 2000, and ninth in 1998; finished second (to Negreanu) last year at the United States Poker Championship.

105-1: Donn O'Dea – If we were ranking players whom you do not want sitting on your left, O'Dea might be the favorite. Highest finish was ninth in 1991; won the pot-limit event at the 2000 Carnivale of Poker; one of Europe's best players with solid tournament results.

105-1: Hans "Tuna" Lund – Runner-up in 1990; doesn't play as many tournaments as he did a few years ago; a major question mark with great potential if he enters this year.

105-1: Jim Bechtel – 1993 world champion; plays primarily no-limit hold'em and enters relatively few events; also finished sixth in 1988; quiet – and very dangerous.

110-1: Chris "Jesus" Ferguson – On the 1999 odds list, I wrote: "Continues to develop skill and a solid reputation. Lots of top players talk about Ferguson as the player to watch." A year later, he's the world champion. "Jesus" still has something to prove – that he rightfully belongs in the top 20, and he will enjoy some advantages as the defending champ. Since players have won back-to-back titles four times in 30 years, the odds here appear about right.

110-1: Mike Laing – Wildly unpredictable table image, but when he's at the top of his game, poker's "Clown Prince" deserves serious consideration as one of the favorites. Finished third at the World Poker Open in 2000 and won a no-limit hold'em event at the USPC in 1998. Most recently, Laing won the main event at the World Poker Challenge; highest WSOP finish was 11th in 1998. In a one-day event, Laing might be a co-favorite, but in a five-day event, does he have enough discipline?

115-1: Young Phan – Had a quiet WSOP last year, but is coming in with confidence after winning the main event at the L.A. Poker Classic; won the main event at the Carnivale of Poker two years ago and is a former Tournament of Champions finalist; a solid no-limit player.

115-1: Tony Ma – One of tournament poker's best overall players, Ma won "Player of the Year" in 1999 and was runner-up in 2000. He also won the no-limit hold'em category in 1999 and made seven no-limit hold'em final tables last year (second in that category).

115-1: Hamid Dastmalchi – The 1992 world champion, he also finished fifth in 1985 and fourth in 1995; widely respected as one of poker's best no-limit tournament players, although he rarely plays nowadays. He reportedly will not play this year.

120-1: Allen Cunningham – Won five major events in 1999, leading all tournament players; had an off year in 2000, but clearly has the style of game that usually does well in the WSOP.

120-1: Phil Ivey – The best description of Ivey came from another top pro who shall remain anonymous: "Nothing scares him … young and very sharp … Ivey is the real deal, and even though he has relatively little experience, I'd take him over 75 percent of the people on this year's list. He is already one of the best all-around players in the world." Enough said.

125-1: Chris Bjorin – No-limit and pot-limit specialist from London; finished ninth in the 1997 main event; has won two WSOP bracelets, including last year's $3,000 buy-in no-limit event.

125-1: Steve Rydel – Won the pot-limit hold'em event at the World Series in 1999; very aggressive – perhaps too aggressive, some might say; moved to Las Vegas from England last year; should be more comfortable in this year's main event.

130-1: Padraig Parkinson – From Ireland, Parkinson finished third in 1999 and played well at the Ladbrokes Poker Million; very aggressive with chips.

130-1: Layne Flack – Won the 2000 Legends of Poker main event; won the 1998 Carnivale of Poker main event; made six no-limit hold'em final tables in 1999. Critics say he's too much of a gambler, but others insist he has just the right style to win this tournament.

130-1: Annie Duke – Has finished in the money nine times (overall) and ranks first on the all-time ladies money-winner list; lots of hours in the main event, especially in recent years; a solid high-limit player; finished 10th at last year's World Series and sixth in the main event at last year's Carnivale of Poker.

130-1: "Tony D." – A great high-stakes player and one of the most feared shorthanded players in the world.

135-1: Ian Dobson – Finished third in the Poker Million, and is one of the best no-limit tournament players in Europe; clearly has the talent to get to the final table and make the necessary plays to win.

135-1: Ken "Skyhawk" Flaton – Last no-limit hold'em victory was in 1998 at the Queens Poker Classic. Some believe that "Skyhawk," the 1996 U.S. poker champion, belongs in the top 10; however, most observers (including Flaton) would agree that stud is his best game, not hold'em.

140-1: Mike Sexton – Won the 2000 European championship; has played in the WSOP main event nine times with five in-the-money finishes; best finish was 12th last year; winner of three no-limit hold'em championship events of $5,000 or more – the 1992 World Poker Finals, the 1996 Four Queens Classic, and the Euro Finals of Poker in 2000 – putting him in very elite company. He's playing the best poker of his life at the moment.

140-1: Mansour Matloubi – The 1990 world champion; lots of success in the early '90s; based in England and doesn't play as many U.S. tournaments as he did a few years ago; still regarded as a serious threat anytime he enters the main event.

140-1: "Miami" John Cernuto – Great run in tournaments the last five years; won the $2,000 no-limit hold'em event at the 1997 WSOP; one of the best all-around tournament players, although no-limit hold'em is not his best game.

145-1: Freddy Deeb – Outstanding high-limit player; led the Poker Million after the first day; great stamina; very unpredictable.

145-1: David Pham – 2000 "Player of the Year"; made nine no-limit hold'em final tables last year and won that game category; odds are diminished slightly by the low ratio of tournament wins to final tables; seems to do better in the quicker tournaments.

145-1: Mickey Appleman – Finished ninth in last year's main event, and played perhaps as well as any player in the tournament (he never accumulated chips); lots of World Series experience, but plays very few tournaments nowadays and may not know his opponents as well as in years past. Still, he's a serious threat.

145-1: Lee Salem – He has "heart" and plays big cash games; finished fifth in 1998; always plays to win.

150-1: Dave "Devil Fish" Ulliott – Pot-limit and no-limit specialist from England; won the pot-limit hold'em event at the 1997 World Series and finished second in the same event the next year; won the inaugural Late Night Poker tournament telecast (UK) and several majors in Europe.

150-1: Richard Tatalovich – The reigning U.S. poker champion and the ninth-ranked tournament player overall in 2000; won five majors last year – all hold'em events; is moving up.

150-1: Kevin Song – Impressive track record in no-limit hold'em tournaments; won two events at last year's United States Poker Championships; clearly has the talent to win.

155-1: Dan Heimiller – Solid all-around tournament player; overdue for a shot at the big prize; has won numerous major events in the last five years, and ranked eight overall last year.

155-1: Jay Heimowitz – Five World Series bracelets, including a win in the $5,000 limit hold'em event last year; lots of WSOP experience in the main event, including two final tables – third in 1980 and sixth in 1981.

155-1: Mike Carson – Won the $3,000 pot-limit hold'em event at last year's World Series; has won several other tournaments the last few years and has been a winning live-action player as well; one of California's best tournament players.

155-1: O'Neil Longson – Widely acknowledged as one of the world's best pot-limit Omaha players, Longson has yet to make a WSOP final table in the main event, although he finished second in the USPC in 1999; has won one bracelet and has made 12 final tables in other WSOP events.

155-1: Hasan Habib – Finished fourth in the main event last year, and also made the TOC final table; ranked 13th overall in tournaments last year, and fourth in the no-limit hold'em category with five final tables; also made the final table in the main event at the World Poker Challenge in January. One fellow pro said: "Habib plays too many hands, but if he gets chips, he will make it miserable for everyone at his table."

155-1: Ron Stanley – Won a WSOP bracelet in 1997 (limit hold'em), and took a horrendous bad beat in the main event that same year and finished fourth; recently won the $1,000 buy-in no-limit hold'em event at the World Poker Challenge in Reno. He's very dangerous when he's playing with confidence.

160-1: Rod Peate – Proven tournament record; made it to the money in both 1997 and 1998; also finished second in 1983 and seventh in 1990; might deserve a higher ranking.

160-1: Todd Brunson – Capable of winning; finished second in two events at last year's World Poker Open (both no-limit hold'em events); high-limit player with pretty good pedigree.

160-1: Mel Judah – Enjoyed a great tournament run in 1997, including third in the main event; very good no-limit results.

160-1: Mike Magee – Interesting Irish player to watch, has a reputation as a "European Bonetti," for his aggressive style; accumulated more than $200,000 early in the 1998 main event and finished on the bubble (28th); won the pot-limit Omaha event at last year's Austrian Masters (Concord Casino), as well as the no-limit hold'em event at the Euro Finals of Poker.

160-1: Russ Hamilton – The 1994 world champion; hasn't played many tournaments recently; not sure what affect the layoff will have on his game. If he gets chips after two days, he'll be tough.

165-1: Toto Leonidas – Made five no-limit hold'em final tables last year, including a win at the American Poker Classic; known for skillfully playing his blinds, and is coming off a solid tournament at the L.A. Poker Classic in February.

165-1: Ted Forrest – Known as one of poker's smartest "businessmen," Forrest definitely has the skill to win a world championship. However, he's not had much of an impact in tournaments in recent years, although he did win three WSOP bracelets in the same year (1993). He also seems much more interested in the high-limit cash games, and pays less attention to World Series events.

170-1: Bob Veltri – Doesn't play many tournaments, but has a terrific track record; won the $10,000 no-limit hold'em event at The Bicycle Casino a few years ago, and won a pot-limit hold'em bracelet at the World Series; finished third in the main event in 1991; dangerous if he gets chips.

170-1: Surinder Sunar – Well-known in no-limit circles as a top player; finished second in the Poker Million pot-limit hold'em event last year; won the pot-limit hold'em event at the Carnivale of Poker in 1998; second in the USPC main event in 1996.

175-1: Alan Betson – Outstanding Irish player who just captured the 2001 European hold'em championship at the Euro Finals of Poker in Paris: he's also the defending champion of the Irish Open (held at the Merrion Square Club).

175-1 Jennifer Harman – Won the no-limit deuce-to-seven event at last year's WSOP while having never played the game before; strong high-limit player. She can hold her own with the big boys and deserves to be ranked in the top 100.

180-1: Melissa Hayden – Had a terrific year in 2000 and started off strong in 2001; finished second in the $5,000 buy-in no-limit hold'em event at last year's World Series, and won a no-limit hold'em event at the World Poker Open; also split a no-limit hold'em event at the Orleans Open; excellent instincts, although she considers herself "a darkhorse" in the main event, which is hard to argue, but she's proven herself capable.

180-1: Randy Holland – Ranked 20th on the 2000 "Player of the Year" list and 21st on the 1999 list; two no-limit hold'em wins last year; two fourth-place finishes in the two biggest events at the World Poker Challenge in January; also won the stud eight-or-better event at last year's World Series; finished 12th in the main event in 1999.

180-1: Bobby Hoff – Runner-up in 1979; made the money in last year's main event; didn't play well in the final stages of the 1998 WSOP and finished 12th. Still, Hoff is feared and respected for his no-limit hold'em game and his depth of experience.

185-1: Brent Carter – Ranked fourth in the "Player of the Year" rankings in 2000; always a contender in any event he enters; one final-table appearance in the main event – third in 1995; counterargument is that he hasn't won a no-limit hold'em major in a few years.

185-1: Noel Furlong – His extremely aggressive style won the 1999 world championship for him; also finished sixth in 1989; known for making some bizarre plays, according to some observers, which can mean either an early bust-out or another run at the final table.

185-1: Christoph Haller – High-stakes player from Germany who has won 10 major tournaments in Europe since 1999; most recent win was in pot-limit Omaha at the Aviation Club de France.

185-1: "Syracuse" Chris Tsiprailidis – Proven tournament results in recent years with a pot-limit hold'em win at last year's L.A. Poker Classic and a bracelet at the 2000 World Series in limit hold'em.

185-1: Berry Johnston – The 1986 world champion; made four final tables, including third in 1982 and fifth in 1990; has finished in the money in a record 34 WSOP events in his lifetime; not as active in tournaments as he was a few years ago, but always a threat to win the "big one."

190-1: Mike Matusow – Winner of a World Series bracelet in no-limit hold'em, and a win last year at the Carnivale of Poker; also won the $1,000 no-limit hold'em event at the 2000 USPC.

190-1: Jack Keller – The 1984 world champion; also finished eighth in 1992 and ninth in 1987; now plays mostly live-action games in Mississippi.

190-1: Vince Burgio – Excellent all-around tournament player; top-ranked lowball player in both 1998 and 1999; made WSOP final table in 1995.

190-1: Paul Phillips – Wants it bad enough to have quit everything else just to work on his game; very smart and obsessed with winning (he recently won an event at the L.A. Poker Classic and placed second in the no-limit hold'em championship).

190-1: Stan Goldstein – Solid tournament background with wins in recent years at the Legends of Poker, various Commerce tournaments, and the USPC, along with cash-outs at the World Series and Carnivale of Poker.

195-1: John Esposito – If the event were H.O.R.S.E., he'd be in the top 20; good instincts and very unpredictable.

195-1: An Tran – Finished fifth in the main event in 1996; also holds a pot-limit Omaha title from the 1991 World Series, as well as wins at other major tournaments, including the Hall of Fame Poker Classic and Diamond Jim Brady.

200-1: Billy Gazes – Won a no-limit hold'em event at the 2000 Carnivale of Poker; plays smart and understands numbers; definitely belongs on the list.

200-1: Bill Duarte – Very tough no-limit hold'em player; a solid winner in cash games with something to prove in tournaments; dangerous.

200-1: John Duthie – London-based player who won the Poker Million with a daring style of play; if the cards fall right, he could do the same over here.

200-1: Barney Boatman – From England; was in second chip position after day No. 2 in last year's main event; lots of experience and success in Europe; isn't afraid of putting money in the pot.

200-1: Gary Lent – 10th in 1999; many believe he could sneak up in this one; was the highest American finisher at the Poker Million.

200-1 Johnny "World" Hennigan – A respected high-limit player who got deep in 1999; also an outstanding pool player. He has the skills to pull it off and win.

210-1: Brad Daugherty – The 1991 world champion and the first $1 million winner; won two no-limit hold'em events last year and made 10 final tables; gets mixed reviews from peers – some say he's in the top 50.

210-1: Ken Buntjer – Won the $3,000 no-limit hold'em event at the WSOP in 1998; numerous other tournament wins in recent years; reportedly will not play in 2001.

210-1: Paul Ladanyi – Finished 11th in 1996; known for being somewhat reckless with chips in tournament play – which means that he can be very dangerous or self-destructive, depending on key hands. Some say that he should be in the 150-1 range; others say 250-1; we'll compromise and put him here.

210-1: Jeff Shulman – Enjoyed an impressive breakthrough year in 2000, and came close to being the chip leader going to the final table in last year's main event, but lost two huge pots to eventual champ Chris Ferguson – first as a 4.5-to-1 favorite with an overpair, then with pocket kings to Ferguson's pocket aces. Before the double disaster, Shulman had $2 million in chips, which indicates that he belongs among the top 100.

220-1: Kathy Liebert – Finished 17th in 1998 and 17th again in 2000; ranked fourth overall on the tournament player list of 1997; made 10 no-limit hold'em final tables in 2000, with one win at the L.A. Poker Classic.

220-1: Chris Bigler – From Switzerland; finished fifth in the 1999 World Series; won the $1,000 limit hold'em event at the World Poker Challenge in January.

220-1: Peter Vilandos – Plays better the closer to the end of a tournament he gets. He'll be dangerous if he gets past day No. 2.

220-1: T.A. "Amarillo Slim" Preston – The 1972 world champion; winner of five WSOP bracelets; has lost only once at a final table – which was last year's second-place finish in the pot-limit Omaha event; returned to the tournament circuit recently, which means that he now knows many of his competitors; his chances improve with the new five-day format.

220-1: Steve Kaufman – Last year, he made the final table at what are perhaps poker's three most prestigious events – the WSOP, USPC, and TOC. That fact alone should count for a top ranking.

230-1: Marc Brochard – From France; he finished eighth in the WSOP main event in 1998; last year, he took fourth at the European Poker Classic and third in the pot-limit hold'em final at the Aviation Club de France.

230-1: Barbara Enright – A fearless tournament player whose best game is probably limit hold'em; she's won the ladies championship twice, is the first woman to win a major open event at the WSOP (pot-limit hold'em in 1996), and the only woman to make the final table in the $10,000 event (fifth in 1995).

230-1: Men "the Master" Nguyen – Staggering tournament success over the past 13 years, including more than 40 major tournament wins; four WSOP bracelets; main event has not been good to "the Master," however, as he's made only one final-table appearance – fourth place in 1996.

230-1: Bobby Baldwin – The 1978 world champion; plays infrequently, but still a threat anytime he enters; reportedly will not play in 2001.

230-1: Julian Gardner – One of Europe's most successful young tournament players; will only get better this year, and from now on.

230-1: Robert Turner – A solid all-around tournament player; finished sixth in the WSOP main event in 1994; very dangerous with chips.

240-1: Lyle Berman – Casino mogul and high-limit side-action player; three WSOP bracelets, including a no-limit hold'em win in 1992; inexplicably, hasn't done well in the main event – although he finished fifth in 1989; won the Hall of Fame championship in 1991.

240-1: Barry Shulman – Won three no-limit hold'em events in a row last year, including the $500 event at the World Poker Open; was also the highest-finishing American in the European Poker Finals this year.

240-1: John Spadavecchia – Finished third in the main event in 1994; lots of tournament experience; well-respected by peers.

240-1: Dave Welch – Won the WSOP Trial in Vienna two years ago, in addition to many other European tournaments.

240-1: Roger Moore – Reportedly hasn't missed a World Series since 1974; won the 1994 $5,000 seven-card stud event and has been in the money in the championship event three times; elected to the Poker Hall of Fame last year.

240-1: Asher Derei – From Israel; has done very well on the European circuit in recent years, including impressive results at the Euro Finals of Poker in Paris and Master Classics in Amsterdam.

240-1: Dewey Weum – Finished fourth in 1998; one of the "best bets" to come close and make the money.

240-1: David Benyamine – Won the pot-limit event at the 2000 Euro Finals of Poker and finished second in the no-limit hold'em final at the Aviation Club de France last December; moves his chips well and could be a force.

240-1: Mickey Finn – Currently listed fourth in the EPPA hold'em rankings; always a threat in the big events, although some observers say he has the style to make the money but perhaps might not be aggressive enough to win.

240-1: Jan Boubli – Perhaps France's biggest money winner over the past five years; one of only three players to make the final day of the TOC both years.

240-1: Ed Hill – Has played the main event four times; good survival instincts; has won major no-limit events at the Hall of Fame, Four Queens, and elsewhere.

240-1: Tom McEvoy – The 1983 world champion; finished third in the $500 no-limit hold'em event at the World Poker Challenge in January; holds four WSOP bracelets.

250-1: Dewey Tomko – His best game is lowball. Made it into the money several times, including a second-place finish in 1982.

250-1: Paul "Eskimo" Clark – Went out 25th in 1998 with pocket aces; many tournament wins in his career; many early bust-outs. Anything's possible with Clark, although he might not have what it takes to last five days.

250-1: Pascal Perrault – Currently second in the EPPA rankings. Some observers say he's still a step behind the top players, but could improve this year and should be listed.

250-1: Josh Arieh – Won a no-limit hold'em event at the 1999 World Series.

250-1: Puggy Pearson – The 1973 world champion; plays mostly live action nowadays; may not enter this year, but deserves mention as a former champion.

250-1: Gerard Duguet-Grasser – From Paris; has the talent and heart to win; took second at last year's Euro Finals of Poker in the pot-limit hold'em event.

250-1: Hemish Shah – Successful high-stakes player from London; finished fifth in limit hold'em at the 2000 USPC and won the $500 no-limit event.

(Legal disclaimer: Odds are for recreational purposes only, and are not to be used as the basis for any actual cash wagering.)

Nolan Dalla can be reached at:

[email protected].