It seems like not everybody is happy with the 2021 WSOP Player of the Year Leaderboard. Phil Hellmuth has expressed that he doesn’t agree with the rules of the leaderboard on Twitter.
1 is @WSOP “Player of the Year” losing its luster? POY has never been about “Cashes and min-cashes,” this is absurd! It’s about final tables and wins. Deeb has two final tables (1st, 5th) and roughly same points as Jake (5th, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 7th) and me (6th, 5th, 4th, 2nd, 1st)
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) November 1, 2021
Hellmuth against this year’s WSOP POY rules
Phil Hellmuth is one of the poker pros who are closely following the race for the WSOP Player of the Year awards.
He is not only one of the most successful players in the history of the WSOP, but he has yet to win this unique title.
Therefore, it is not surprising that he is rather frustrated with the rules of the competition. According to the Poker Brat, several mini cashes are way too important — final table appearances don’t matter enough.
It’s not the first time that there are discussions about the rules of the POY awards at the WSOP. Hellmuth was obviously also upset by the fact that Shaun Deeb is so close behind him in the race for the title, even though he had way fewer appearances at final tables.
2 another player has one Final Table (3rd in online tourn) and 2,000 pts! Who cares about 10th- and 14th- and 300th place?!? Who wrote @WSOP POY 2021 rules? It’s not right. POY isn’t about cashes! I’m calling on WSOP to make it right in 2022. We need new voices to be heard…
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) November 1, 2021
This year, Hellmuth made it to the final table four times, and he also won a bracelet, but yet he is just a couple of points ahead of Deeb, who also won a bracelet but only had another appearance at a final table.
Therefore, it is not surprising that Deeb expressed his own opinion on the calculation which should aim to reward players who are actually grinding events.
Phil poy should always be about the overall grind I have 7 more cashes than you you know how much people love to have a big name in their table in the atm buyin tourneys Wsop should do whatever they can to get the biggest names in every event it’s great for brand and Rec exp https://t.co/7GCu5pIy8s
— shaun deeb (@shaundeeb) November 1, 2021
Player of the Year Rules
In order to become WSOP Player of the Year, players have to play in certain events. By doing so, they accumulate points that count towards the leaderboard which is displayed further below.
Only if they play in events that fulfill the requirements they will receive points, all other events of the WSOP won’t count towards the leaderboard.
- At least 50 entrants or a prize pool of $250,000 and 10 entrants
- Buy-in must be $300 or higher, entry fee included
- The event must be open to the public or prize pool of at least $500,000
- The player must make money and reach the final table
- No regularly scheduled events
- Online events may qualify if part of a live tournament series
While it is obvious, that the rules will not be changed while the race is still ongoing, it is certain that there have been discussions about the structure for many years.
Thus far, there has not been published any info regarding a potential change in the future. A Twitter user, however, came up with a suggestion that seemed like a good idea to Hellmuth.
Best ‘x’ number of finishes is the best solution to this. Just take the top 10 or so results for each player
— Daniel Zack (@Dan__Zack) November 1, 2021
2021 WSOP Player of the Year Standings
Right now, there are two players ahead of Hellmuth in the race for the Player of the Year award.
The WSOP Player of the Year will be taking home $15,000. However, that is obviously not what motivates him most.
Even though Hellmuth won the most amount of WSOP bracelets, he has never been crowned Player of the Year at the World Series of Poker.
He finished second three times, and it’s more than obvious that he wants to add this title to his collection.
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