The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the biggest, richest and one of the most renowned gaming events in the world so far. It had its humble beginnings in 1970, and since then it has grown spectacularly over the years. Every year it features something new for those participating in the longest-running poker event in the world.
In 2014, WSOP is offering something for everyone, which includes bracelet events, cash games and Deepstacks among others. This year, WSOP is offering its first ever Dealer’s Choice bracelet and many more new games. Planned at Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, this year WSOP is offering more than 60 opportunities for players to realize their poker ambitions. With so many games on offer there is surely something for everyone.
Every year new players join the fray of those participating in WSOP. In the past few years, the same faces have dominated the top rankings. But of late some rookie players have been showing great promise, adding more to the excitement. One can never know when the tables might turn in a game of poker.
Like all years, 2014 also features rookie players in the various events throughout the tournament.
Ole Schemion
Awarded player of the year by the European Poker Tour (EPT), 21-year-old Schemion is one of the biggest rookies to emerge in the last several years. Playing mainly in the European circuit, he has also proved his talent in large events such as High-Roller and Super-High-Roller Settings.
He has been able to cash in the main events in the EPT circuit three times. He has over $5 million in tournament winnings so far. This is even more remarkable because all the earnings he has made are without a single win in the US. His participation in 2014 WSOP has been billed as one of the most eagerly-awaited rookie participation this year. He has definitely put his native Germany on the poker radar.
Dominik Panka
At the young age of 22, Dominik Panka has garnered quite a name for himself in the poker circuit and the buzz is all positive. He is the first Polish player to win an EPT title. So it is even more remarkable that up until 2012 he has only been playing online poker.
In 2013 he participated in the Barcelona stop of the EPT. He didn’t win the event, but his good performance in online events afforded him more confidence to compete in live events. And ultimately he won the main title at the PCA event in Bahamas.
Lukas Berglund
Swedish, 22, good looking, Lukas Berglund is the new rookie name to watch out for. Unlike the previous players from the Scandinavia region who all played a very aggressive game, Berglund exhibits quite a surprise with his easy demeanor and non-aggressive play. Prominent on the online poker scene, he has earned more than $3 million in cashes so far.
He was only 18 when in 2011 he participated in and won his first ETP title in Barcelona. This is also his biggest win so far. He is confident, successful and at ease with his game. He enjoys poker but also other things that come with it like traveling to new places for events and to see the world.
Jordan Westmorland
Recently, Westmorland left the United States and moved to Thailand for a few years, all the while pursuing and participating in different poker events. He continues to make his mark on the professional circuit. He impressed with his game when recently he came in the third place in the EPT Sanremo game.
He now lives in the Gold Coast of Australia. But his frequent change of residences hasn’t adversely affected his game. Not in terms of participation and certainly not in terms of winnings at the tournaments. With live tournament earnings of $489,934 so far, he has a long way to go.
Alen Bilic
All of 25, Alen Bilic’s list of accomplishments in the poker circuit is a long one. A native of Bosnia and Herzegovina, he is one big rookie to watch out for in 2014. In February 2013 he won the Pokerstars Big $11 and won $16000. Soon after in March, he tabled the Pokerstars Sunday 500 earning major cash, some $34000. In 2013 alone, he final tabled the Pokerstars Sunday three times.
One of his biggest successes came in 2013 when he won the events such as Big $8, Big $11, and $25 Hyper and reached the finals of Big $162 over the course of a single day. After some more wins in 2013, he continued his winning streak in March and April 2014. With such wins, he is one rookie player who won’t go unnoticed in 2014 WSOP.
Mateusz Moolhuizen
Moolhuizen is from Netherlands but is now based in Warsaw, Poland. He is 25 and one of his biggest wins of his career so far has been at the Unibet Open in Malta in 2011. Reaching career final tables 12 times, to date he has had four first place finishes, and earning total winnings of $422,046. With 26 career clashes, he is one of the rising stars to emerge from Europe and holds much promise to rise in career rankings.
Rookies are players in the first year of their chosen sport and that first year is always monumental. It defines their whole career. The first year can catapult a career or can be a deal breaker depending upon the performance of the players. However it is not unheard of rookie players to become top class players.
The biggest example in the poker circuit of a rookie player achieving great success is Phil Ivey. A bracelet win at WSOP or achieving a ranking in any game, a rookie can soon be seen competing with other Poker greats.
Poker is a game of chances and no one can yet predict which rookie will emerge as the most high-profile player out of all the new ones playing their first game in WSOP in 2014.