2009 H.O.R.S.E Poker Champion

Yes, I realize its a little early to be placing bets on next years World Series of Poker, but I think this one is in the bag. Its no secret that Phil Ivey is one of the fiercest competitors who ever played the game of poker. And while many think of Ivey as a great No Limit Hold’em player, my research concludes that Phil is setting himself up to win the most prestigious (and expensive) poker tournament in history.
The $50,000 HORSE poker event at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas is becoming more and more accepted as the grand-daddy of poker tournaments. The game of HORSE is played through rounds of Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud Eight or Better. I believe that within a few years, the HORSE Championship will become the new Main Event of the WSOP. However, that’s a topic for another post.

Many know Phil Ivey as one of the poker pros at Full Tilt Poker. You can usually find him daily at the $2000/$4000 and $1000/$2000 HORSE poker tables. It’s also no secret that Phil dominates these games. I’ve seen it reported that Ivey has won over $1,000,000 at the HORSE poker tables on Full Tilt this year alone. But that’s just the beginning.

If we examine Phil Ivey’s poker tournament cashes, we can easily see that he’s been one of the most consistent mixed games players ever. In 2002, he won three WSOP bracelets in the $2,000 S.H.O.E event (Stud, Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud Hi/Lo), the $1,500 Seven Card Stud event, and the $2,500 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo event, respectively. Jump ahead to 2006 where he placed 3rd in the inaugural $50k HORSE Poker Championship for $617,760. In 2007, he placed 4th in one HORSE event and 2nd in the World Championship 7-Card Stud event. This year he cashed in three HORSE poker events including 24th in WSOP Event 22, 12th in the WSOP $50k World Championship HORSE event, and 6th in the WSOPE HORSE event.

If anyone is overdue for a victory in the WSOP HORSE Championship, it’s Phil Ivey. That’s why I’m putting my money on him early. He’s putting in the hours at the high stakes HORSE poker tables. And he is consistency cashing in major HORSE poker events.

So here’s my question to you; does anyone want to bet against me? Who would you put your money on in next year’s WSOP $50k HORSE Championship?