The deadline to build your PokerOrg Fantasy Freeroll team is approaching quickly. If you haven't built a team yet, head to the Fantasy Freeroll page to pick your team by noon PST today.
If you're not sure what to look for in players on your team, Terrance 'TJ' Reid is here to break down his entire strategy this year. He'll go pick by pick below to discuss important concepts to keep in mind while building a winning team.
You have to beat hundreds of teams
The format of this fantasy contest is crucial to building your team. This is mostly a winner-take-all contest, with first place walking away with a $10k main event package. You're going to have to beat hundreds of permutations of teams, which means you need to take some risks to separate yourself from the crowd and end up on top.
When I spoke with David 'ODB' Baker, he said, "Go for players with a low floor and a high ceiling." One name here: Jason Mercier. His floor is zero. He may not play at all. However, if he does, he may rack up a ton of points, and not many people will draft him. That's the kind of guy you need to win the league.
Let's get into all eight of my picks. Baker also said he looks for three things in his guys: volume, skill, and likeability. I look for those and a few other things as well.
Pick #1: Michael 'Texas Mike' Moncek - $89
Mike Moncek is someone I want to root for this summer. He has all the things I'm looking for in a fantasy player. He's fun to watch, he's extremely talented, he plays a lot of different variants, and he's committed to playing a full schedule. The guy also always goes for the glory, so big points could be in store for his summer.
As a side note, he convinced David 'ODB' Baker and his team to draft his brother, Tyler Moncek, so there's going to be a drive to perform with his brother this summer. I hope Moncek gets a bracelet or two and has a summer to remember. I think he was worth far more than $89 and is a steal at that price as the anchor to my team.
Pick #2: Ben Yu - $31
Ben Yu might be the steal of the draft at $31. The main things Yu brings to the table are volume and a focus on the WSOP.
Last summer, Yu cashed in an incredible 32 WSOP events, 18 of which were from the live felt. He didn't cash a single event at another venue; that's important since only WSOP bracelet events earn you fantasy points. He puts in tons of volume, is WSOP-focused, has a great track record in Vegas, and he plays all the games. Give me Yu at $31 all day.
Pick #3: Danny Tang - $26
Danny Tang is a crusher on the felt at the biggest of buy-ins. Without looking, how much do you think he's earned in live tournaments according to Hendon Mob? Did you say over $31 million? Then you'd be right. For whatever reason, he still flies under the radar, especially with American audiences. Most casual fantasy players will draft big names that they recognize, so going with Tang gives us a chance to separate ourselves from the field.
Importantly, he plays the biggest of buy-ins, where fields are smaller, points are worth more, and he has a better chance of getting a bracelet. If you're going with a guy who mostly plays NLH, he'd better play the biggest events. I expect Tang to do so.
Pick #4: Felipe 'Mojave' Ramos - $18
I think this is the year Felipe Ramos breaks through for his first bracelet. He's easy to root for, he'll mix in some mixed games, and he focuses on the WSOP each summer. He's been on the verge of some big scores this past year but has fallen a bit short in big spots. This summer, that changes.
Pick #5: Adam Friedman - $18
Adam Friedman is one of the best, most confident mixed-game players I've watched or played against. The man won the $1,500 Dealer's Choice bracelet event in 2018, 2019, and 2021; that's one of the most incredible feats in WSOP history. You have to be great at all the games to win Dealer's Choice events, and he's proven that he is.
I lean towards players who excel at mixed games. They earn points more consistently, they achieve field bonuses more often, and they have better chances at winning bracelets. Friedman is my mixed-game horse this year.
Pick #6: Brad Owen - $12
In terms of likeability, Owen is at the top of the list. Last year, I wouldn't have paid $1 for him (no offense, Brad). So what changed this year? Two things: He's embracing the world of mixed games, and he's planning a big schedule.
Owen won a $2,200 HORSE event at the Wynn last year for his first live event trophy. He seems to be sparked by a love for mixed games and has been putting in a ton of study. He claims he's still a 'fish' in these games, but I like my chances going with a guy with lots of passion for the game and jumping in so excitedly.
Pick #7: Xixiang Luo - $5
Remember when I talked about taking a couple of under-the-radar players? Xixiang Luo is on that list at $5 for me. Don't remember that name? Would it surprise you to hear he won not one but two live WSOP bracelets in 2024?
Luo won the $1,500 NLH/PLO Double Board Bomb Pot and the $25,000 HORSE events, proving he has what it takes in both the mixed-game and the high roller streets. Some people go their whole careers without winning a bracelet. Luo won two in one summer. Give me the sleeper value pick that far too few other teams will draft.
Pick #8: Ali Eslami - $1
My only $1 pick of the summer has the chance to put up more points than anyone else on my team. Inside sources tell me that Ali Eslami is going for Player of the Year, something very few $25k Fantasy owners knew on the night of the draft. So he went for the minimum.
If you want a chance to win this thing, you need your low-price picks to shock the poker fantasy world. If Eslami has the summer he's hoping for, he may win me this league.
Do you think you can do better? Draft your team by noon today to prove it, and then follow along with our fantasy coverage all summer. Best of luck, fantasy gurus!
If you want some help with the mechanics of drafting your side, check the video below.
