10 Players to Watch at the 2014 WSOP

Picking 10 players to do well in the 65 bracelet-awarding events is practically impossible due to the immense variance of live tournament poker, but that is exactly what I have done. 

I've based my picks based on the players' form, their style of play and the fact they are awesome at what they do. So without further ado, let's take a look at 10 players to look out for during the 2014 WSOP.

Ole Schemion

Never has a player caused such a buzz than Germany's Ole Schemion. The hyper-aggressive, ultra-talented player has amassed over $5.2 million in live tournament winnings despite only just turning 21-years of age.

Rumours are circulating that Schemion may only play a handful of events at what will be his first WSOP, but rest assured that the cameras and bloggers will be sticking to him like discarded chewing gum to the back of your pants if and when he does sit down at the Rio felt.

Marvin Rettenmaier

Marvin Rettenmaier is a double World Poker Tour champion and a regular on the worldwide poker circuit. He has cashed more than a dozen times at the WSOP and has two final tables to his name.

I caught up with Rettenmaier at the Rio on May 28 and he looks fit and healthy and revealed he will be playing a busy schedule -- if he can stop partying that is!

Stephen Chidwick

Stephen Chidwick is the number one ranked live tournament player in the UK and is in the top 10 of the worldwide Global Poker Index too. 

Chidwick comes into the WSOP in top form and full of confidence. Watch out for Chidwick in all the events he plays, especially those tournaments with higher buy-ins and non-Hold'em games also.

Daniel Negreanu

Canadian Daniel Negreanu is a veteran of the poker world and one of the greatest players to have ever played the game. He has six WSOP bracelets to his name (two of those were won in 2013), 69 cashes and 31 final tables. His record speaks for itself.

Phil Ivey

You cannot have a "ones to watch" without including the legendary Phil Ivey. The man who many say is the best poker player in the world is going all out to add to his haul of nine WSOP bracelets this year and has extra motivation to do so after taking around $300,000 worth of bets that he will win some gold this summer.

Chris Moorman

The United Kingdom's Chris Moorman has come so close to winning a bracelet on four occasions. In 2011, Moorman finished second to Joe Ebanks in the $10,000 No Limit Hold'em 6-handed event, third in the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em 6-Handed event and a couple of months later was runner-up to Elio Fox in the WSOP Europe Main Event.

In 2013, Moorman came fifth in the Ante-Only tournament. Surely 2014 is Moorman's year?

Toby Lewis

Toby Lewis isn't heading to Las Vegas until late June but is sure to make an impact when he does arrive. He's in scintillating form online and has a professional approach to the game that should stand him in good stead in a city teeming with distractions.

Sam Trickett

Sam Trickett revealed in an interview earlier in the year that he has promised his mother a WSOP bracelet. The high stakes pro looks set to play an extensive schedule that includes all the highest buy-in events, including the $1,000,000 buy-in Big One For One Drop. Can he go one better than his second place finish in that event a few years back?

Dominik Panka

Until the start of 2013 you would have been excused for not knowing who Dominik Panka was, but now the Pole is one of the hottest properties in poker.

After winning the 2014 PCA Main Event for over $1.4 million, Panka took down the High Roller at EPT Deauville to prove his win in the Bahamas was not a flash in the pan.

Lukas Berglund

Sweden's Lukas Berglund is currently ranked second in the world for online poker tournaments and is a legitimate star. Having just turned 21 and now being able to play poker in Las Vegas, many are hoping Beglund will head to the WSOP where he is sure to be a success.

Berglund won a WPT title aged 18-years old -- the youngest ever winner -- and there is nothing stpping him winning a WSOP bracelet at his first attempt.

Article images courtesy of our friends at PokerNews

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