The Hot List

Predictions in poker are a precarious business. As well as you play, you can’t win a poker tournament without a touch of luck and nobody is ever a certainty to convert potential into actual results. So, as 2007 gets underway, InsideEdge isn’t here to tell you who will win every tournament they enter, or dominate this year’s WSOP main event. But, we have picked out the standout contenders for a bright future. Look out 2007; they’re coming to get you!

Britain

JP Kelly
You may not have heard of the young Irishman, but he is tipped by those in the know to be the next big thing. Paul ‘ActionJack’ Jackson rates him as one of the best young players around and he’s recently been snapped up as a sponsored pro by poker site Bluesq.com. It will be interesting to see how Kelly – who will only turn 21 this year – performs at this year’s WSOP.

Dave ‘El Blondie’ Colclough and Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott
With the seemingly endless onslaught of first-time winners in the WPT and a frighteningly young average age at the EPT, it’s easy to be seduced by the idea that poker is becoming a young man’s game. But we think 2007 is going to be the year for two old stagers: El Blondie and the Fish. Both showed some signs of form at the end of 2006, with Devilfish in particular impressing with a win at the WPT Five Diamond festival. We caught up with InsideEdge columnist Colclough to get his thoughts and hopes for 2007.

How well do you think you are playing at the moment?
I finished the year playing quite well. I came second in the Dublin EPM, playing a short-stack really well for a day or so before battering away as the big-stack from 12 players down to the final three. Apart from when heads-up, I played an excellent tournament. I also played well in the main event at the Paris Euro Finals of Poker series, only to lose a huge pot in the latter stages when I was a favourite.

How confident are you about 2007?
I honestly feel I am due a big main event win. I’ve had many smaller wins and cashes, but appear to be running badly in the bigger events. I’m a great believer in luck levelling itself out and am confident of winning an EPT, WPT or WSOP event.

What are your hopes for 2007?
I didn’t play in as many European ranking events in 2006 and will play even less in 2007. I’m concentrating on helping to get the Dusk Till Dawn poker club off the ground, venturing out only for major events. I don’t expect to stay in the European top ten, but do want to win one of the big events.

Roland de Wolfe
The current UK Player of the Year would be a serious contender for regaining his title if he repeated only half of his successes in 2006. And, it would not surprise us if De Wolfe did exactly that. He’s sure to be a constant presence at this year’s major poker events and the doubters can talk all they like about luck, but the ex- InsideEdge man will probably have the last laugh once again.

Nick Slade
Seven final tables – including the EPT Dublin – is a sure sign of things to come from this ex-golf pro turned UK Newcomer of the Year. Slade is hungry for more success and we think he could be the one to watch in 2007. Another rising star worth keeping an eye on is Luke Patten, whose aggressive style could lead to big things if he can find the time to play in more major tournaments.

Europe

With the ever-increasing importance of the EPT, and new tours like the EPM gaining ground, it looks like being another storming year for the European poker scene. And, once again, we think 2007 is going to be a year dominated by our Nordic cousins, with these three players looking like the ones to watch.

Patrik Antonius
The ex-model turned online poker pro has hit the Big Game hard and is proving he can take on all comers at any game and at any stakes. His tournament record shows equal abilities and allied to his looks and position as a Martins Poker sponsored player, the Finn is sure to be at the forefront of the poker world this year.

William Thorson
The no-limit online pro turned live game star had an awesome 2006 with a 13th place finish at the WSOP main event and final tables at the EPT Dublin and the Showdown Poker Tour in Copenhagen. He probably would have taken the EPT Dublin title were it not for the steamroller play of the ultra-aggressive De Wolfe. Expect to see more of the Swede on poker’s biggest stages throughout 2007.

Johnny Lodden
This is the man everyone fears. Lodden has quickly gained legendary status in online circles, where his bankroll is rumoured to be around the $6 million-mark. The Norwegian has also taken to the live game like a duck to water. He’s regularly seen with a huge chip stack on the European circuit and it surely won’t be long before the cards fall his way with a major title seeming a certainty.

USA

Our cover star David Williams has the personality and poker skills to become a huge name this year. But, who are the other contenders from across the pond to join the likes of Phil Ivey in the premier league of poker stars?

Jeff Madsen
At just 21 years old and still a college student, Madsen hit the poker world like a hurricane last year when he won two WSOP bracelets and finished third in two other events at the Las Vegas showpiece. As a result, he was quickly signed by Full Tilt, guaranteeing his presence at all the major events in 2007. And, in December, he bagged another third-place finish in the $2,500 no-limit event at the Five Diamond World Poker Classic.

Cliff Josephy
The man they call ‘Johnnybax’ is not your typical online poker sensation. Forget the pallid skinned teenager crouched in front of his flat screen. Instead, think of permatanned 40-year old ex-stockbroker with an incredible record of tournament success. He’s still a relative newcomer to the live scene, but has already notched up some impressive results, including a WSOP bracelet and a runner-up spot at the recent Aruba Poker Classic.

Devin Porter
Not many poker players have had such a dream start to their tournament careers as Porter. The college student made the final table at his first two WPT events and also cashed in his maiden appearance at the WSOP main event. Porter is happy to mix it up in the early levels with any two cards and is fond of busting Aces with 4-5 offsuit. He’s now part of the Ultimatebet team and with an easy going demeanour is likely to attract a lot of fans.