Poker's Player of the Year - Who Will It Be?

As the WSOP in Las Vegas winds down, there are only five point-earning events left to determine poker’s Player of the Year. The format this year is a bit different, with 100 points going to anyone who wins a tournament, regardless of event type, buy-in cost, or size. This is meant to recognize the best overall player, not just the player who manages to win a couple of big no-limit events.

THE DONKEY BOMBER

At the moment, Tom “Donkey Bomber” Schneider is in first, and he also happens to be the only double-bracelet winner at this year’s WSOP. He’s made three tables, and many are comparing his play to last year’s Player of the Year, Jeff Madsen, who made the final table in four events and took home two bracelets.

JEFFREY LISANDRO

Second place belongs to Jeffrey Lisandro, who has managed to finish in the money on five events. If he wants to overtake Schneider, he will have to finish seventh or better in the no-limit 2-7 lowball with rebuys or the limit hold’em shootout. A tall challenge, but one that will be interesting to watch.

OTHER CONTENDERS

Third, fourth and fifth places belong to Scott Clements, Phil Hellmuth and Chris Bjorin respectively. All three need to win a WSOP event to take the lead.

Allen Cunningham and Steve Billirakis have also had noteworthy years, even though neither man has a realistic shot of catching Schneider. Cunningham won the POY in 2005, then went on to finish in the top 10 in 2006. Another top 10 finish in 2007 is well within reach. That kind of consistency is simply amazing in the tough world of poker.

THE TOP TWENTY

In case you’re keeping a record of such things, here’s how the top 20 rounds out at the moment.

Tom Schneider 255 pts
Jeffrey Lisandro 220 pts
Scott Clements 167 pts
Phil Hellmuth 165 pts
Chris Bjorin 165 pts
Scotty Nguyen 160 pts
William Durkee 155 pts
Fred Goldberg 150 pts
Alexander Kravchenko 150 pts
Eric 'Rizen' Lynch 145 pts
Nesbitt 'Nez' Coburn 140 pts
Jared Davis 138 pts
Greg 'FBT' Mueller 135 pts
Humberto Brenes 135 pts
Allen Cunningham 130 pts
Steve Billirakis 130 pts
Jason Newburger 130 pts
Phil Ivey 130 pts
Thor Hansen 125 pts
Burt Boutin 125 pts
Alex Bolotin 125 pts

For more poker news, take a look at the following articles:

WSOP Updates

Internet Gambling Petition

Poker's Player of the Year - Who Will It Be?