Pros Due for a World Series of Poker BraceletErick Lindgren Gets Crossed Off the List Leaving Gus Hansen, Andy Bloch, and Patrik Antonius |
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In an accomplishment that many in the poker community would consider long overdue,
One of the most obvious choices would be Gus Hansen. Despite only having cashed three times at the WSOP, he has won almost $5.7 million in major tournaments over the span of his poker career thus far. He owns the record for most World Poker Tour titles at three and just recently came in second at the WPT Championship in April at Bellagio. Hansen also won the 2007 Aussie Millions main event. With all of these accomplishments, it is 
evident that Hansen has a knack for winning large field no-limit hold’em events, and thus, it seems as though it is only a matter of time.
One player who agrees with that is Eli Elezra, who was the story of the 2007 WSOP in terms of long-time pros without a bracelet. He won the $3,000 buy-in World Championship seven-card stud eight-or-better event after beating Scotty Nguyen heads up. When asked who he thought would be the next pro would be to win a bracelet, he said, “Gus. He is definitely at the top of my list. He is a great player. He is due.”
According Hansen, he is focused and ready to win one this year. In a blog entry preceding the WSOP, he wrote, “Now is the time for the braggers to show what they are really made of. Now is the time to bring bling-bling to the naked wrists. Make no mistake about it: I am ready. I truly believe that my tournament level of play has never been better, and although a good start would add an extra boost to my Series, I feel prepared to play at least 10 tournaments over the coming month and a half. And believe me: I do want to win a bracelet!”
Hansen’s complete blog post can be found under CardPlayer.com’s Poker Blogs section, along with many other pros’ entries.
If anyone has heard the phrase “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” lately, it is Andy Bloch. He’s cashed 15 times at the WSOP, with eight top 10 finishes. Two years ago, he finished second to Chip Reese in the $50,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. event, and, in the first event this year, the $10,000 buy-in World Championship pot-limit hold’em event, he finished as runner-up once again. With almost $3.2 million in tournament winning, the mathematical Bloch still has plenty of chances to win a bracelet this year.
J.C. Tran, with almost $5.9 million in tournament winnings and WPT title, is also a big contender for a bracelet. He’s proved his consistency by finishing third in the Card Player Player of the race in 2006, and second last year. Tran has made six top ten finishes at the WSOP out of 19 cashes.
Recently appointed Team Full Tilt member Patrik Antonius is also without a bracelet. It is obvious the man can play poker, boasting more than $2.2 million in lifetime tournament winnings. He is recognized by his peers as one of the fiercest competitors in the world with the skill-set needed to win a bracelet.
Follow the WSOP action on CardPlayer.com’s WSOP Updates to see if any of these pros snag their first bracelet.
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