The Best and Worst of the WSOP: Insights from 18 Poker Pros
As the countdown to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) begins, the poker world is buzzing with anticipation. Hotel bookings are being tweaked for better rates, flights are locked in, and staking deals are finalized. For now, dreams are very much alive.
To capture the energy and expectations ahead of the world’s biggest poker festival, we gathered a panel of 18 professional players who are all heading to Las Vegas. This diverse and talented lineup includes familiar faces such as WPT ambassador Brad Owen, Sunday Million champ Vanessa Kade, Run It Once coach Kevin Rabichow, and PokerStars ambassador Maria Konnikova. Also joining the conversation: renowned poker author Dara O’Kearney, rec poker podcaster Jim Reid, and WSOP mainstay Maria Ho, among others.
In the opening piece of this three-part series, we asked our panel to share their plans and preferences for the WSOP: How many bracelet events they’ll play, whether they plan breaks during the grind, and their take on the highs and lows of poker’s most famous series.
How Many WSOP Events Will You Play?
Brad Owen plans to enter 30–40 tournaments, primarily WSOP events. While he may venture into some side events at the Wynn, his focus is on WSOP due to improved registration and ease of access.
Vanessa Kade is aiming to keep herself constantly in action, mixing WSOP events with parallel series across the city. She has a few must-plays, like the Main Event and some six-max formats.
Kevin Rabichow expects to enter 10–15 bracelet events, but WSOP isn’t his main focus—he plans based on value rather than branding.
Ian Simpson is in Vegas for over two weeks and will play everything at the WSOP priced $1K and above. Sub-$1K events are lower priority due to high rake.
Maria Konnikova, arriving mid-June, foresees playing around 25 events, prioritizing WSOP tournaments while choosing The Wynn for any off-site events.
Fabian Bartuschk is aiming for about 10 WSOP events but will prioritize value regardless of venue.
Dan Wilson expects to play between 2 to 4 WSOP events, admitting he’s tempted by large fields at other venues.
Kyna England is targeting around six WSOP events, but isn’t as WSOP-centric as in past years. She’s excited for tournaments at the Venetian and Golden Nugget too.
Soheb Porbandarwala will be in Vegas briefly—one or two weeks at most—without a focus on WSOP events.
Matt Affleck intends to play around 30 events, mostly WSOP No-Limit Hold’em in the $1K–$5K range. For him, Horseshoe and Paris offer the most worthwhile experience.
Andy Wilson is still finalizing his Vegas plans but predicts he’ll play 15–20 WSOP events thanks to the improved registration system. He prefers staying put at one location, making WSOP a natural fit.
Angela Jordison will play about 25–30 WSOP events but remains flexible depending on how she’s feeling. She’s also keen on fields full of recreational players—hello, Wynn Seniors!
TJ Reid has a 20-event schedule centered around WSOP tournaments. If he busts or bags early, he’ll explore other venues.
Andrew Hedley is playing 4–5 events over three weeks. While the WSOP isn’t his top priority, he’s open to good structures regardless of location.
Aaron Barone will likely play only one or two WSOP events outside the Main. He prefers events with strong fun-to-value ratios—Mystery Bounties are particularly appealing.
Jim Reid’s shorter Vegas trip sees him playing the Main plus three more events, all WSOP-focused.
Dara O’Kearney, planning a five-week stay, expects to play about 15 WSOP events, structuring his schedule around them while leaving room for the occasional side tournament.
Jen Shahade, with a brief trip planned, will play three or four WSOP events. She’s excited about Ladies Week additions, including a high roller and Mystery Bounty.
Maria Ho expects to play 15–20 events—the smallest schedule she’s had in 14 years—due to personal commitments. WSOP bracelet events remain her top priority.
Do You Take Days Off During the Series?
Brad Owen admits he struggles to take breaks, often lured back into the action. This year he’ll aim to schedule rest to avoid burnout.
Vanessa Kade has varied her approach year over year. With no outside obligations this time, she’s planning max volume.
Kevin Rabichow always builds in plenty of downtime—to socialize, work, and recharge. He even plans to return home for part of the series.
Ian Simpson rarely takes days off, preferring to maximize playing time
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com
