Have you drafted your Pick 3 in Paradise team yet?
It couldn't be any easier. Just select three players from the available list, and if they win the most cash in Event #1 at WSOP Paradise, you could be on your way to play the $60 million guaranteed Super Main Event, with a package worth $30,000!
You can change your team all the way through to the deadline on Thursday, December 4, 11am ET, but if you're on the lookout for some pro advice, we've got your back.
True fantasy players know that the game is won and lost with the sleeper picks – the dark horses that stay under the radar. Everyone and their mom's fantasy team will be filled with the well-known players. To stand alone at the top, you might need one hidden gem to get you there.
Here are five dark horse picks that could give you the edge.
Dark horse #1: Hayden 'Big Red' Hetland
Hayden Hetland burst onto the scene just last year and quickly made a splash at the tables. His first live cash ever was for $122,000, for a second-place finish at the Borgata Almighty Million.
Since then, he's won two events, including a Circuit ring, and made several deep runs en route to nearly $200K in earnings. The tall, red-headed Pacific Northwest kid is hard to miss at the tables. He’s a strong contender for a spot on your fantasy team.
"I've got four bullets, a free hotel room, and a dream," said Hetland. "Looking to solidify myself and make myself known."
Dark horse #2: Kasey Lyn Mills
Kasey Lyn Mills has gone hard on tournament poker these last few years, and she's racked up solid scores and hardware for her efforts. With over $525K in earnings, five titles, and four WSOPC rings in open events, Mills is always a threat to make a deep run in a large-field WSOP field.
On top of that, Jeff Platt already fueled her fire by drafting her for his team.
"I don't know anyone who works harder than me when I don't want to let down someone who believes in me," responded Mills. "Thanks for the extra motivation!"
Dark horse #3: Liam Gannon
Liam Gannon rises to the occasion in big moments. The dual poker reporter and player has seen more hands than most players in the draft. He finally won his first Circuit ring in September, which was overdue.
A glance at his Hendon Mob profile shows that Gannon rarely just sneaks into the money — he's consistently making deep runs and final tables. That's what you want from a fantasy player. At WSOPC Council Bluffs in September, he had four cashes, including 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 7th-place finishes. This December may be a breakout story for the beloved Illinois grinder.
Dark horse #4: Shane Repas
Baltimore native Shane Repas scored his first ring at the recent WSOPC Baltimore series after several close calls in recent history. He's been to 10 final tables in 2025 and has three titles this year. With the ring monkey off his back, Repas can focus on bigger things, like a career-defining score in Paradise.
One concern is that Repas doesn't travel too much for poker. Most of his cashes are in the Baltimore or Atlantic City area. Getting out of the Northeast cold and into the warm Bahamas climate may throw him off his game. Or, it could be the opportunity that takes him to another level.
Dark horse #5: Jennifer Zewe
Always a smiling face on the Circuit scene, you probably have mixed feelings when Jennifer Zewe joins your table. With three Circuit rings to her name, she knows what it takes to make a run. In recent results, she had four cashes at WSOPC Baltimore and another three cashes at WSOPC Tahoe, all in October. Her worst finish in all seven cashes? 16th place.
Will she lock in and hit a career-high score in Paradise? She's fun to root for, which is always an added bonus for any dark horse fantasy player.
Draft your team now!
Who's on your team? Are you going with all big names, or will you take a chance on a dark horse or two?
The draft is open until Thursday, December 4, at 11am ET. Draft your team now, and don’t miss your shot at a $30K poker dream package in Paradise.
