Who's the best 'Amateur turned pro'? Did they deserve it?

[gamer4life27]

I have been wondering which amateur turned pro by winning the Main Even of the WSOP is the best out of them all. Many of my buddies say that none of them deserved to win that coveted bracelet. This is a dispute that I have been having with them for quite some time.

I don't know which is the best personally, but I do think that some of them did get really lucky or else they wouldn't have gotten the title, but that is poker. But then again, some of them did make some really good plays, and some good reads/lay downs. But I would really like to hear what you all think so I could further discuss this with my poker buddies.

And if it's any consolation, who do you think is the best pro?

I think that Scotty Nguyen and Daniel Negreanu are the best at reading people, making good plays, and basically having a good time while playing poker.

[iceveins0901]

I think Raymer is the best of this list, maybe then Hachem in 3rd while Varkonyi and Moneymaker tie for 4th, then there are the other two...

there is no second place in this list.

[gamer4life27]

Lol, no 2nd place... Anyone else have something to say on either mine or iceveins0901's posts???

[iceveins0901]

after doing a little research, apparently Hachem has done better than I have noticed, I dont get around to too much TV or news/">poker news sites, but apparently he has finished well and actually won some big poker events besides the main event.

the bottom 4 are still losers though, sweet, rich, losers... how i would love to lose like that.......

[liladypokerpro]

Although I like Raymer, I had to go with Joe...he's really done a magnificent job since starting out. Not to mention he's quite entertaining to watch, and his fans always rooting behind him "Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!" LOL

[gamer4life27]

But this is based on who you personally think is the best. You could argue that Joe Hachem has done better, but that Greg Raymer is the better player, just not as lucky. (or something like that.:P)

[liladypokerpro]

Yes that is what I was saying, sorry I didn't clarify better...just got home from work and rushing a bit...I like Raymer, but he's been around a bit longer than Joe, so as far as best amateurs gone pro, I have to say that in this case I do believe that Joe tops my list.

[gamer4life27]

Lol, thats ok. I saw this thread contest and I figured this topic would be my chances of winning that. But me personally, I think Greg Raymer is the best Amateur gone Pro.

[liladypokerpro]

That's cool....good luck on getting a nomination...you should get some good responses, I think.

[gamer4life27]

Me too. This topic has gotten me in some real heated arguments and has gotten some wide responces from many people in the past.

[liladypokerpro]

I can imagine so...some folks might not even remember when those people were amateurs, since they really only started being televised and talked about regularly once they became regular winners in the lime light. So it's really a good topic to get you thinking about way back when....okay so it wasn't THAT long ago for some of them, but still, you get the idea LOL

[gamer4life27]

Lol, yeah. But like you said, most people don't cinsider them amateurs because they know them as Main Event winners... It should be that people remember them because they were once not a pro and won the big one. This should bring that to people's eyes and get a good pool running.:P

[liladypokerpro]

Totally agree

[stoffmakers]

iono why u added did they deserve it to the thread name. how could they not deserve it?

[liladypokerpro]

wow gamer, it's a pretty close race between Raymer and Haschem......too bad nobody is posting why they voted for them...might turn into another heated discussion LOL

[gamer4life27]

So far, it's a close race between Joseph Hachem and Greg Raymer! Come on guys, post why you think there the best. I personally voted for Greg Raymer because he has more poise, more patience, and I think he can read people better than the other people. Plus, he has a really good way of thinking of strategys.

[rakmupagain]

1. greg raymer 2. joe hachem 3. varkonyi 456. -pickem (dead money)

I will also agree hachem has been more succesful overall than raymer, but i think raymer is better player. The 2 have completely different styles, which has come in to play, as raymer's is riskier but more condusive to massive chip leads.

An interesting side note, Hachem is the only tight player in the group.

I would bet that the latter 3 will not cash in a single even this year.

[gamer4life27]

I would be on your side of the bet rakmupagain. Lol.

But looks like Joseph Hachem is in the lead now.

I don't know a lot about there playing styles, but I do know that the top two people in the lead right now should be in the lead. The question is who is better...

[gamer4life27]

Come on peeps, I know you have something to say about this. Help me out a little and just post your oppinions.:P

[gamer4life27]

Seems more and more people are voting and not posting...