Big Names in Past Main Events
The Brasilia room is currently packed to the brim with players that are aggressively competing to become the next World Series of Poker champion. While winning an open event at the WSOP is one of the highest accolades possible within the poker world, everything seems to pale in comparison to the WSOP Main Event.
Currently seated in the Brasilia room are several players who have made it deep in the Main Event over the past few years. Here is a look at some of these players and their other achievements in poker:
Dutch Boyd - Boyd burst onto the poker scene back in 2003 when Chris Moneymaker astounded the world and defeated Sam Farha heads up at the WSOP Main Event. Boyd received much media coverage for his vivid personality during this tournament where he eventually finished in 12th place. Since then, Boyd has continued to hone his craft and currently sits on two WSOP bracelets. Boyd took down his first bracelet back in 2006 when he won a $2,500 Short Handed No Limit Hold'em event. Four years later, Boyd was able to conquer another field and win his second bracelet in 2010's Event #23: $2,500 Limit Hold'em / Six Handed. Boyd has had a successful 2012 so far, making deep runs in two Omaha events this year. Boyd recently had an 8th place finish in Event 26: $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha
Martin Staszko - Staszko became the name on everyone's lips last year during the 2011 WSOP Main Event as he was the chip leader going into the final table. Staszko would eventually finish second to champion Pius Heinz, but that's probably something that you already know. What you may not know, however, is that Staszko had four cashes prior at the 2011 WSOP prior to finishing second in the Main Event. Staszko's astounding summer in 2011 has kept him on our list of players to watch and he already has one cash under his belt this year, finishing 116th in Event 21: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em
Matt Affleck - Affleck is known for making back-to-back deep runs in the Main Event in both 2009 and 2010. Affleck finished an impressive 80th place in 2009 and created quite a buzz about himself when he was able to top that in 2010. Affleck finished in 15th in the Main Event in 2010 when his pocket aces were cracked by eventual champion Jonathan Duhamel. This remains one of the most infamous hands in poker history and can be seen here.