Here are a few examples of the different types of players you will run across at the WSOP.

Glad to Be There

The type that you will run across fairly frequently will be the "just glad to be here player."  This will be especially true in the $1,000 and $1,500 NL Holdem events.  For many players, playing at the World Series of Poker is the culmination of a poker career or is the fulfilling of a lifelong dream.  Many will have saved up money to play in one or maybe two events.  Some will have won their way in via a satellite at a local casino or a home game.

These players are more than happy to tell you how they are "thrilled to be playing at the World Series."  These tend to be the more jovial of the players that you meet and you usually can have a good time.  Sadly, they are many times the bulk of the dead money in the event and where you will win stacks. Don't let this make you feel bad though.  These players are "just happy to be there" and will have plenty of great stories to tell regardless of their winnings.


Glad to be here

The Wannabe Pros

You will find a lot of these in NL events and in satellites.  Many of these are the stereotypical NL players, complete with outfit.  They talk the talk, dress like they are going to grind 20 hours a day, and try to play just like all of the pros.

The difference is that they just don't quite have the game that even the low tier pros have.  They want to be a pro so badly and they will try to make you think they are the best thing since sliced bread.  Many of these are uber-aggressive and can be exploited by solid players.

The Old Hats

There are many players that have been coming to the WSOP for five, ten, and even twenty years and to them, it's just another WSOP.  Some of these players have had some mild success with some cashes in different events.  Others may even have a final table or two under their belt.

Their game is just shy of being great, but they are good enough to put up a strong showing on any given event.  That is why they keep coming back.  Many at best will just break even for the WSOP. Be wary of some of these players as some are still good players and will make you look silly when you try to bully them around.

The Has Beens

There are different players at the WSOP that at one point or another in their poker career have either accomplished something great or may have even accomplished great things at the WSOP.  However, they were "one hit wonders" and have barely been able to do much else since then.

Elix Powers is a fantastic example of a has been that plays at the WSOP frequently and regularly tries to hustle the satellites.  From these types of players you will hear about all the great things they have done in the past.  However, for many the past has been more than five years ago and nobody really cares.


Once I was great

The Grinders

Many grinders will come out to the WSOP to try and grind a profit or grind their way into the events.  You will find many grinders in satellites and some are even satellite hustlers.  Hustlers are those that play a ton of satellites and have accumulated a bunch of satellite entry chips.

Sometimes they sell them, and sometimes they will actually enter several events.  Your typical grinder will come across the same as they do in a live event.  They look like they have been playing for three days straight and their only purpose is to pull a profit.

The Pros

Of course, the pros get their own category.  Many of the big name pros will stick out like a sore thumb but there are also going to be many second and third tier pros that you will play with.  These pros include those that may have been bigger names a few years back but have not been able to keep up with the game like the younger guys have.  Others are aging pros that still have game, but maybe not the "sex appeal" of some other pros.


I'm the real pro

Your pros like Barbara Enright, Robert Turner, Dr. Max Stern are examples of aging pros.  Pros such as Bryan Micon and others are your second and third tier pros.  Of course, any pro should be considered dangerous and the aging pros doubly so if you are playing them in games outside of Holdem.  Non-Holdem games are what they made their careers on so you better bring you're a-game.

The above are the types of players you will see at the WSOP.  Where you fit will depend on your experience level.  Many of you will be the "just happy to be there" players.  Regardless of whether or not you fit in a player mold, the above player types are still fun to watch out for.  Knowing the above player types may or may not help you do better in an event, but it should help to make it more entertaining.

Good luck at the tables.

/Compncards