2003 - A Breakout Year

Poker has arrived! With the popularity of its television coverage, poker has hit the mainstream, filling poker rooms and online sites with a new generation of players. They come, interestingly enough, from the likes of Hollywood celebrities to the tens of thousands of average people from around the world.

The game of poker has become a star, similar to the early days of the games we know so well today: baseball, football, basketball, and golf. As history has shown us, a sport's emergence from obscurity resulted from its "star power" – from Babe Ruth and Bobby Jones to Joe Namath and Dr. J – and now in the poker world, the stars are coming out.

Two names currently near the top of the Card Player Player of the Year Standings are certainly breakout players. While both have had success in years past, this year has been a special one for each of them. They are Amir Vahedi and Chip Jett, both of whom are charismatic players who have been on a tear and show no signs of letting up. Amir had wins at the World Poker Open (WPO) in Tunica, Mississippi, and the Challenge Cup at Hustler Casino. Then, after finishing sixth in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) championship event, he won again at the Legends of Poker.

Chip also started 2003 with a win at the WPO and followed that up with a win at Commerce Casino's L.A. Poker Classic. He then scored at the California State Poker Championship, and at the Tropicana in Atlantic City (all while becoming a father).

Mark Seif, a well-known no-limit hold'em specialist, has had a breakout year in games other than no-limit hold'em. While he had no-limit wins at the WPO, the Sport of Kings at Hollywood Park Casino, and Festa al Lago at Bellagio, he also won a Borgata event in stud and placed very high in limit hold'em, pot-limit hold'em, and Omaha high.

Charlie "Scotty Warbucks" Shoten has made an all-around breakout showing with wins in no-limit hold'em and Omaha eight-or-better, and has made 16 final tables and earned more than $485,000 in tournaments.

Barry Greenstein, a well-known high-limit player who usually limits his tournament play to the main event at the WSOP, decided to travel and enter more tournaments this year. Great decision, Barry (four wins and three second-place finishes)!

John Hoang moved to L.A. from Atlantic City, then made a move on the tournament world. He's made 25 final tables this year, has had five wins, and has displayed some unbelievable consistency (three final tables at the L.A. Poker Classic, eight at the Mini Series of Poker at the Bike, four at the California State Poker Championship, and three at the Legends of Poker).

Frankie O'Dell has shown his dominance in Omaha eight-or-better this year, earning two victories – one at the WPO in Tunica and the other a coveted WSOP bracelet at Binion's Horseshoe – to go with his 13 final tables.

Robert Williamson III has continued his breakout performance of 2002 with three wins this year, along with two final tables at the WSOP. Pot-limit Omaha and triple-draw lowball are Robert's specialties, but don't count him out in any game.

Howard Lederer, who's kept a very short schedule this year, has made the best of it, winning the PartyPoker Million II and then following that up with a win at Bellagio's Five-Star World Poker Classic. Add a final table at the WSOP and it's obvious that Howard has made the most of his five final tables.

Erik Seidel also has had a short schedule this year, but that hasn't stopped this perennial favorite. He made three final tables at the WSOP, winning his sixth bracelet, and has earned more than $585,000 in tournaments this year.

Other great players at the top of their game include John Juanda, Phil Ivey, Jennifer Harman, Randy Holland, Layne Flack, Annie Duke, "Miami" John Cernuto, Ted Forrest, Kathy Liebert, Toto Leonidas, and Paul Darden.

Former world champions and Card Player Player of the Year winners also have had a great year.

Men "The Master" Nguyen is vying for Card Player Player of the Year again! This man is simply amazing, having reached the final table 19 times this year and winning nine of those times. He plays every game very well. In March at the World Poker Challenge in Reno, he won events back-to-back. At this year's WSOP, he made five final tables, with two wins and two seconds. What a year for "The Master."

Players like Scotty Nguyen, David "The Dragon" Pham, Tony "The Tiger" Ma, and Chris Ferguson are all either former world champions, or winners of previous Card Player Player of the Year honors and rank high on this year's list.

Last year's Card Player Player of the Year winner T.J. Cloutier has three wins and 13 final tables (including three at the WSOP) – just a normal year for the Superman of Poker. His books, co-authored with Tom McEvoy, have been a great source of poker knowledge for novices and pros alike.

Card Player columnists haven't disappointed us this year, either. Daniel Negreanu has two wins so far, including another bracelet at the WSOP. He's also made four other final tables in what was not a full season for him, having taken time to concentrate on his live play. Daniel also donates plenty to the game by way of his insightful Card Player columns and contributions to poker forums.

Phil Hellmuth garnered his eighth and ninth gold bracelets at the WSOP; what an achievement for this great player who grabbed his first at age 24! While no-limit hold'em is what he's best known for, his eight final tables include limit hold'em and Omaha high, as well. Phil has also helped in many charity events (both the Children's Hospital of Dallas and the American Cancer Society in the last month alone). That kind of exposure along with the charitable donations is a win-win for everyone.

And, most of all, let's acknowledge the true pioneers of our industry: Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese, Johnny Chan, Benny Binion, and Bobby Baldwin; it's time for them to get the recognition they deserve.

In fact, it's time for all of us as players to try to emerge as stars of the game. The train is certainly rolling, and getting on board is as easy as buying in to a tournament event.

I've been to many events this year, and seeing new players asking the top players for autographs is becoming commonplace. The respect you're giving the stars of the game is fabulous and well-deserved. So, attend the events and continue watching them on television, and buy the stars' books and sit down next to them – they're thrilled to meet you.

Warren Karp is the COO of Professional Sponsorship Group, a management group that promotes elite poker players for corporate sponsorship, product placement, and endorsements. Visit www.professionalsponsorship.com for more info.