Although one may think otherwise given the number of entries in this event each year, no-limit 2-7 single draw is a big-time favorite amongst poker's elite. This event draws one of the smallest fields in the World Series of Poker each year, but 95% of the players are notables.
With such a prominent group of competitors each year, who is really the best? Many would argue Billy Baxter is the greatest, and with $661,220 in no-limit 2-7 single draw prize money plus five gold bracelets in the game, that claim would be very hard to dispute. Despite his results, though, Baxter isn't the WSOP's leading all-time money earner in the game — that spot is occupied by eight-time gold bracelet winner Erik Seidel. Seidel holds $717,259 in WSOP no-limit 2-7 single draw earnings.
Who else is at the top of the list? Let's take a look.
Rank
Player
Money Earned
1
Erik Seidel
$717,259
2
Bill Baxter
$661,220
3
Mike Matusow
$537,862
4
John Juanda
$521,222
5
David "Bakes" Baker
$502,480
6
David Grey
$468,127
7
Jeff Lisandro
$444,573
8
Daniel Alaei
$430,698
9
Chad Brown
$378,749
10
Nick Schulman
$374,992
Many of these players in the top 10 will be in the field this year, so there could very well be some shifting in the rankings. Be sure to stay tuned all tournament long to see how each of them do.
Matthew Ashton raised to 500 from the cutoff and Scott Seiver made it 1,700 to go from the button. The small blind four-bet the action to 4,275 and it folded back to Ashton who folded as well. Seiver tossed out a call.
Seiver's opponent stood pat and Seiver thought for about 20 seconds before opting for one new card. Action checked to Seiver and he tapped the table back. Seiver's opponent fanned {9x], eliciting an eye roll from Seiver before the flung his hand into the muck. With this hit, Seiver is down to about 19,000 in chips.
Phil Ivey was under the gun and raised the action to 450. The player on the button called only to have Brian Hastings make it 2,150 to go. Ivey came over the top with a four-bet to 6,000 and the button folded. Hastings called and drew one card on the draw. Ivey stood pat.
Hastings checked after the draw and Ivey knuckled the table back, rolling over . Hastings mucked his hand and Ivey was pushed the pot. He's now sitting around 40,300 in chips.
On Episode 81 of the Thinking Poker Podcast, Nate and Andrew discuss strategies for the World Series of Poker that will assist you both on and off of the felt. They also break down a hand from Nitcast favorite Gareth Chantler and another from the Sunday Million.
David "Bakes" Baker was under the gun and popped it up to 600. Action folded to Stephen Chidwick in the cutoff and he cut out a three-bet to 2,200. The button and blinds released, putting action back on Baker. He made a four-bet to 8,600 and Chidwick came right back over the top with a five-bet shove. Baker called for his own tournament life.
At the draw, Baker took one new card and Chidwick stood pat. Chidwick fanned for a jack-eight low. Baker rolled up and was drawing live for his tournament life. He squeezed out a , making a ten-seven low and securing himself a double up in the process. Baker now has 46,500 in chips while Chidwick has dropped to 17,250.