5 Predictions sure to go wrong for the 2013 WSOP

It’s that time of year again, and with the Casino Employee tournament set to kick-off just a few hours from now, I’ve decided to get my last minute predictions for the 2013 World Series of Poker up.

Phil Hellmuth will make two final tables but wins ZERO bracelets

This was a tough one to write because I have Phil on my fantasy team, but I have a feeling he will still be sitting on 13 bracelets at the end of the WSOP, although I do expect him to have a strong series. If you’re looking for a well-known player who will win a bracelet might I suggest Phil Ivey, who was snake-bit at final tables last year.

Germany will win at least three bracelets

There are simply too many talented young German players for this not to happen. From heavy-hitters like Marvin Rettenmaier, Tobias Reinkemeier, Pius Heinz, and Phillip Gruissem, to the lesser-known but still talented Benny Spindler, Dominik Nitsche, Ole Scemion, Max Altergott, Fabian Quoss, and Martin Finger, there is a strong chance that Germany leaves Las Vegas with a lot of gold.

Two open bracelets will be won by women

Last year we finally got an indication of what women are capable of achieving in the poker world, and it looks like the WSOP hex that had been cast over the ladies has finally been lifted.  While I feel confident that women will perform well in the preliminary events, what I really want to see is a known female player make the WSOP Main Event final table.

A recent (2003-now) WSOP Main Event Champion will win a bracelet

I’m surprised this hasn’t happened yet, but doing a little research WSOP Main Event are batting .000 in WSOP tournaments after their win. Chris Moneymaker, Greg Raymer, Joe Hachem, Peter Eastgate, Joe Cada, Jonathan Duhamel, Pius Heinz, and Greg Merson are all capable to good players so there has to be a bracelet waiting to be one by someone from that group.

The WSOP Main Event attendance will be…

6,022. While I’ve seen the over/under line set at about 6,466 I see this as being a down year for the WSOP Main Event. The reality of the situation is that the WSOP has been bucking the trend for too many years as it is, and at some point something has to give. After last year’s anonymous final table, and the relative dispassionate response the media had for the tournament I’m expecting a smaller turnout for the WSOP Main Event in 2013.