Believe it or not, we are ten days from the start of the 2014 World Series of Poker. The seven week festival of poker begins on May 27 and, with 65 bracelets up for grabs, you can expect that some of the biggest names in the game will be looking to take their share of the gold. But who? To judge that, just look at who are the hottest players coming into the WSOP.
Since players from the United States make up a huge contingent of the numbers at the WSOP, we have to start with some of the hottest players from that country. Coming off his outstanding win at the World Poker Tour World Championship, Keven Stammen has to be atop any list of players to watch this year. Not only did Stammen take down that prestigious title, he’s accrued 12 cashes in just the first five months of 2014.
Scott Seiver is another player who seems to be peaking at the right time. Coming off his second place finish at the European Poker Tour Grand Final’s High Roller event, Seiver looks to have his game in prime shape for the summertime grind in Las Vegas. He’ll also have the bankroll to take his shots, with that EPT High Roller win netting him a nice €857,637 ($1,175,519 U. S.).
There are two more players from the U. S. that bear some attention come May 27. Byron Kaverman has been thisclose to cracking the win column in 2014, coming up second at the WPT World Championship in April. While he hasn’t received much attention to this point in the year, Dan Heimiller has been about as unstoppable force as you can get. His 18 cashes for the year far surpass any other player, making Heimiller a threat even in the smaller buy-in tournaments that have massive fields.
Canada is another country that has to be looked at for providing some players on the “Hot List.” In 2013, our friends from North of the Border captured 10 bracelets to rank as the best from non-U. S. players. Leading the charge of the Canucks will be Mike McDonald, who has been hovering around the lead on several Player of the Year races despite not winning a tournament yet. Along with Daniel Negreanu (who can never be ignored when it comes to the WSOP), Shyam Srinivasan (eight cashes for 2014), Ami Barer and Max Greenwood, the Maple Leaf will be well represented in Sin City this summer.
The United Kingdom has to be examined for their hottest pros. On that list has to be Stephen Chidwick, who seems to be warming up a bit as the WSOP approaches. Other players in that category would include Simon Deadman (ten cashes for 2014), David Vamplew and Liv Boeree, who has five cashes in 2014 in her wallet.
There are a host of other international players that could have an impact on the 2014 WSOP, if they decide to make the trip to Nevada here in a couple of weeks. Mustapha Kanit, Dominik Panka, Ole Schemion and Davidi Kitai are all on good rolls at this point, which could translate into success at the Rio.
Of course, the WSOP has a way of chewing up favorites, pros and amateurs as the grind goes on. There are always a few new stars of tournament poker crowned during the festival of poker in Las Vegas, so don’t be surprised if these familiar faces come up a bit short during the 2014 WSOP. After all, it’s a marathon and not a sprint and the variance of the game can catch up with a player at any time.
