Stars of Poker Without WSOP Bracelets!

Nenad Medic has kicked off the World Series of Poker by joining an elite group of people, the World Series of Poker bracelet winners. Of course WSOP gold does not mean that you are suddenly rich (Coming 2nd in the main event pays more than all the other bracelets), it doesn't mean you won't go broke and it doesn't qualify you right away as one of the greatest – but it is a group we all still want to be a part of. Medic's heads up opponent, Andy Bloch, remains part of an even rarer group of players – those in the 'best player without a bracelet' category.

Most of us are in the 'no bracelet' club, but few of us come into the 'best player without a bracelet' club. This is a group of nearly men for whom its commonly agreed should have a bracelet by now, but bad fortune often at the final hurdle has prevented it from being so. So just who are the best players without WSOP gold around their wrists?

Andy Bloch
The MIT blackjack card counter must be getting pretty sick of missing out on a bracelet by now. He has a great pedigree in the World Series and could win a bracelet in pretty much every discipline of poker. He has WSOP final tables in stud, razz, PLO, triple draw lowball, hold'em and in 2006 he really proved his poker prowess when he came 2nd to Chip Reese in the first $50,000 HORSE event.

Roland De Wolfe
A WSOP bracelet is what separates Roland De Wolfe from pulling off the poker tournament trifecta, by winning EPT, WPT and WSOP events. One of the UKs biggest earners of all time, he had a cracking WSOP last year, cashing in 6 events and making one final table. He certainly will be playing all the events he can this year and with youth on his side will surely have gold on his wrists in the near future.

David Benyamine
One of the few big game regulars not to win a WSOP bracelet, this French cash game supremo is currently on a major heater at the cash tables, crushing all comers. He certainly has the form this year and with proficiency in all varieties of poker and has a great shot in the stud and razz events.

Patrik Antonius
A player who has burst on the scene in the last few years and dominated any game he has played in, whether it be online, live, hold'em, PLO or mixed games. Another big game regular he has a huge reputation to live up to as one of the most feared players in the game. He has made a great start making the PLHE final this year and many consider him to be a favourite to take down gold this year.

Gus Hansen
The Great Dane is best known for his sheer dominance in World Poker Tour events, so much so he was one of the first players inducted into their hall of fame. A WSOP bracelet always seemed to evade Gus, however last year he narrowly missed out on making both the final table of the $10,000 main event and the £10,000 WSOPE main event. He seems to be getting closer every year and his recent WPT Championship form is enough to make him the most feared player at any table.

Erick Lindgren
Former WPT player of the year, Lindgren made more headlines last year for a crazy $340,000 prop bet on a blistering Las Vegas golf course. He has cashed every year since 2004 in the WSOP and 5 times last year. Another player proficient in every form of poker, he has a real chance in some of the limit and mixed events this year.

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