The 2009 World Series of Poker Player of the Year race can be followed by visiting the WSOP official website here for latest updated standings.
Ville Wahlbeck - This 33-year old Finnish poker player has won nearly $850,000 thus far at the 2009 World Series of Poker. The total was acquired in four different events. He finished 1st place in Event #12 - WSOP World Championship Mixed Event and collected just shy of $500,000 there. Wahlbeck won another $172,000 at Event #23 - WSOP No Limit Deuce to Seven Lowball World Championship.
Phil Ivey - Considered one of the top 10 best poker players in the world, the 27-year old from New Jersey has collected over $300,000 at the 2009 WSOP thus far. He also won two bracelets (Event #25 - WSOP Omaha & 7 Card Stud Hi / Lo and Event #8 - WSOP No Limit Deuce to Seven Lowball)
John Brock Parker - This guy is definitely making a name for himself at the 2009 World Series of Poker. Maryland's own won two bracelets a la the Event #19 - WSOP No Limit Hold'em Six Handed and Event #14 - WSOP Limit Hold'em Six Handed.
James van Alstyne - The Vegas based poker pro has placed top ten in three events thus far, winning one, and a total payout of around $500,000.
Pete Vilandos - Houston's own has won just over a million dollars thus far at the 2009 World Series of Poker by place 1st and 2nd, respectively, in Event #24 - WSOP No Limit Hold'em and Event #4 - WSOP No Limit Hold'em. Nice going there. Vilandos had just over $600,000 in live tournament career winnings prior to the 2009 WSOP.
Steve Sung - The 24-year old from Torrance, California has won just shy of a million at this year's World Series of Poker, courtesy of three different events, one of which he finished 1st (Event #4 - WSOP No Limit Hold'em)
Daniel Negreanu - Negreanu continues his winning performance. He is the favorite to win this year's World Series of Poker main event at betED.com - The payout would be $10,000 for every $100 bet or $100 for every $10 bet.
Jeffrey Lisandro - He calls three countries his home: Italy, Australia and the US. Hence, his fan base should be pretty significant, especially since Lisandro is the 2009 World Series of Poker $1,500 buy-in Seven-Card Stud champion. He won Event #16 - WSOP 7 Card Stud and placed in two others, resulting in winnings of nearly $200,000.
Randi Boukai - The 26-year old Boukai is believed to be the only Saudi Arabian-born WSOP gold bracelet winner in history, though he has lived in the US since the age of one and never trekked to the Saudi empire since. Boukai is actually of Lebanese decent. He's cashed out in four events and won Event #10 - WSOP Pot Limit Hold'em & Omaha. Boukai is taking home just over $300,000 so far with plenty more events upcoming.
Jason Mercier - 21 years of age and coming to us from Fort Lauderdale, he's had four cash finishes in this year's WSOP, one of which he placed 1st (Event #5 - WSOP Pot Limit Omaha). Mercier has won just shy of $300,000 during the past few weeks.
Ace King, Gambling911.com
