THE DAILY SCOOP – The Best Players Without a Bracelet

Securing a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet signifies the zenith of a poker player’s career, yet many talented players have yet to claim this esteemed honor. As the 2023 WSOP unfolds, let’s examine some noteworthy players who, despite their achievements, have not yet won a WSOP bracelet. Isaac Haxton is a titan in the poker world. He is admired for his tournament performance. His career has garnered him a staggering $35.8 million in live tournament earnings, ranking him 14th on the all-time money list. But despite his financial success, which includes $3 million won at World Series of Poker tournaments, a bracelet has continued to elude him. Haxton almost seized one at the 2009 WSOP, finishing second in Event #2, the 40th Annual No-Limit Holdem, netting a substantial $1.2 million payday. He made a notable comeback in 2017, securing third place in the WSOP Poker Player’s Championship. Resuming his WSOP participation in 2023 after a break due to COVID-19, Haxton could very well capture a bracelet given his recent victories in five tournaments within the past six months. Shannon Shorr, an established name at the WSOP and on the international and online circuits, is Alabama’s all-time money leader and 103rd on the international list. Shorr achieved second and third place in 2008 and 2012 respectively, in WSOP events. Despite coming close to a bracelet in 2019, Shorr was denied the honor when he finished second in the $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em event #11. His strong 2022 performance, marked by a notable victory at the US Poker Open, reinforces his credentials and makes him a strong contender for a bracelet in 2023.

Chris Brewer, a stalwart of the high stakes circuit, boasts lifetime earnings of $9.8 million in tournaments since coming on the poker scene in 2015. His highest WSOP cash reward was in 2021 when he finished fifth in the Poker Players Championship 6-Handed. Brewer’s successes extend beyond the WSOP, with notable victories in 2021 and 2022 at Triton and PokerGo tours. He also finished 1st in two tournaments earlier this year on the EPT, a €25,000 event and a €50,000 high roller event. Given his track record, it’s likely he’ll soon add a WSOP first-place finish to his resume. Bin Weng, the breakout player of 2023, has been enjoying a successful run, with significant victories at The Return: A Borgata Championship Event and the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship for a total take of $2.1 million. Currently, Weng’s sights are set on his first bracelet which, based on his recent record, should not be too far off. Italian player Gianluca Speranza, despite several close calls, is still on the hunt for his first WSOP bracelet. After finishing second in the 2017 WSOPE Main Event, he claimed a sizable win at the EPT Monte Carlo in 2022. Could this be the summer that he finally claims his first elusive bracelet. High-roller Seth Davies, who has $20.8 million in tournament earnings, sitting him 37th on the all time tournaments winnings list, has yet to acquire a bracelet despite his many poker accolades. He has won events at almost every major poker tournament series around the world but is still chasing his first WSOP title. The closest he came was 4th in the Super High Roller event #82 at the 2021 WSOP. Hopefully, this is the year that Davies finally secures a bracelet.

Maria Ho, a notable poker commentator who has been cashing in international poker tournaments since 2005, and an inductee in the Women in Poker Hall of Fame, has achieved 71 WSOP cashes but has yet to win a bracelet. Following several deep runs in the 2022 World Series, 2023 may be the year she adds a bracelet to her impressive record. One of the most surprising names without a World Series of Poker bracelet is Roland Israelashvili. Roland holds the record for most cashes in WSOP tournaments and has won 9 WSOP Circuit rings, but still doesn’t have a bracelet to his name. His previous results suggest he might finally earn his first, and well deserved, bracelet soon. Niklas Astedt, a top online tournament player, has significant online and live earnings but is still in pursuit of a WSOP bracelet. Astedt’s past near-misses indicate that a bracelet may soon be in his future. Lastly, Josh Reichard, with 14 Circuit rings and a spot in the MSPT Hall of Fame, is among the most successful mid-stakes tournament players. Despite his strong track record at the summer series, he is still in the race for a bracelet. While this list is far from a comprehensive list of amazing poker players without a bracelet, these players’ impressive track records and ongoing pursuits make the 2023 WSOP an exciting event, with many potential first-time bracelet winners. The poker world eagerly anticipates who will rise to the occasion and finally earn this symbol of victory.