2011 WSOP Player of the Year Race Heats Up as Ben Lamb Takes the Lead

The 2011 WSOP POY race is heating up. It is already one of the most coveted awards in poker, and this year there are many top pros in the running. Phil Hellmuth, John Juanda and Jason Mercier are in contention. Along with these famous pros are young up and comers Sam Stein and Ben Lamb. With several events left, the title is still up for grabs.

John Juanda is still among those vying for the 2011 WSOP Player of the Year

The leader in this years POY race is currently Ben Lamb. Lamb has 486.25 points. Lamb came second in Event #31- the $3,000 Pot Limit Omaha. He won $259,918 for his second place finish. Lamb then went on to win event # 42 the $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha Championship. Lamb took home $814,436 for the win in addition to his first bracelet.

In second place in the POY race is poker legend Phil Hellmuth Jr. Hellmuth has 420.75 points. Hellmuth has come in second place in two events, neither of which is in No-Limit Hold’Em, which makes the accomplishment all the more impressive. Hellmuth took second in event #16- $10,000 2-7 Draw Lowball Championship. He took home $226,907 for his second place finish.

Hellmuth then took second in event #33- $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship. He took home $273,233 for his finish. These two second-place finishes are creating a great deal of buzz in the poker community, as Hellmuth has never won a bracelet in any game other than No-Limit Hold’Em. These wins will go a long way to cementing his claim as one of the greats.

Right behind Hellmuth on the list is Sam Stein. Stein has 402.63 points. Stein has had two huge scores at the WSOP this year. First up was his 3^rd place finish in event #7: $10,000 Pot Limit Hold’Em Championship. Stein took home $264,651 in prize money in this event. Next up was his win in Event #31: $3,000 Pot Limit Omaha. He won $420,802 as well as the bracelet for his efforts.

Other notables rounding out the top ten players in contention for POY are: Mikhail Lakhitov (401.80), Mitch Schock (364.81), John Juanda (336.00) and Jason Mercier (323.45). With several large events left, including the Main Event, the race is far from over.

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