Loading...Top 5 Non-Hold'em Events at the WSOP
Published by: Daniel Skolovy
Posted In: WSOP Blog, PokerListed
That's right folks; it's World Series of Poker time again. Time to get revved up for two months' worth of everyday tournaments culminating in the granddaddy of them all, the Main Event.And while naturally the Main Event - along with the rest of the No-Limit Hold'em events - draws the most press, there are plenty of other outstanding tournaments this summer very worthy of your attention.
In fact, some of the best drama - and the best poker - undeniably unfolds in the less-publicized, more-old-school events.
Here's a quick look at five notable non-Hold'em tournaments at this year's WSOP.
1) $50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E., June 21. H.O.R.S.E. - Hold'em, Omaha, Razz, Stud and Stud Eight-or-Better - is a mixed game. Every blind level the game will change.
This means that one-trick ponies have no chance. To win this tournament you must be well versed in all the games. This is the pro's championship. Past winners include the late Chip Reese and Freddy Deeb.
Top contenders: David Singer; Justin Bonomo; Andy Bloch.
Full Tilt pro David Singer: A true contender in any game variation.
2) $5,000 2-7 Triple-Draw Lowball w/Rebuys, June 9. Who doesn't like playing bizarro Draw poker - and with rebuys? How can you resist?
This is another pro favorite. 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball is a draw game where the player with the lowest hand at showdown is awarded the pot. The only tournament with no exposed hole cards makes this a fun one to break up the monotony of getting your aces cracked.
Top contenders: Chris "Jesus" Ferguson; Allen Cunningham; Jennifer Harman; Erik Seidel
3) $5,000 World Championship Omaha High, June 29. Hold'em with more cards - how can you go wrong? This tournament is bound to draw huge numbers this year.
With Omaha quickly becoming the most-played game at high stakes online you can guarantee this tournament will be filled with wily veterans and brash young online pros alike.
Top contenders: David Benyamine; Justin Bonomo; Tom "durrrr" Dwan; Doyle Brunson
4) $10,000 Seven-Card Stud World Championship, June 7. The Main Event is the granddaddy of all Hold'em tournaments; likewise, the Seven-Card Stud World Championship is the granddaddy of all Stud tournaments.
It's easy to forget Full Tilt pro Mike Matusow is actually good at poker, but he's always a contender for a bracelet - even in Stud.
The field of this event will be a lot smaller than its Hold'em counterpart, though, and you can look forward to seeing virtually all of the game's older pros in the field. Ted Forrest, for example, feels this is his best game.
Top contenders: Ted Forrest; Daniel Negreanu; Mike Matusow; John Hennigan; Phil Ivey; David Singer
5) $5,000 World Championship Seven-Card Stud Hi-Low Split Eight-or-Better, June 17. The E. in H.O.R.S.E., Stud Eight-or-Better is a Stud variant where the pot is split up between the best high hand and the best low hand.
Now this won't be the biggest field; in fact it will likely be the smallest. Don't let small numbers fool you. Seven-Card Stud is a tough game, and the hi/lo split adds another layer to this already complex onion.
Top contenders: Who even knows? This game is weird. David Sklansky?
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Comments (1)
PL fan
May 30, 2008
I find it quit odd some of the names that were left out as conteders, in HORSE you would surely put big names pro's like Doyle B, P Ivey, Mike M, Barry G and Daniel N as favourites. And why aren't Ivey, Farha, Gei and Antonius mentioned in the Omaha?
Keep up the great job! ^^