Scout's Pick: Howard Swains reveals his SCOOP Pick 3 team

Scout's Pick

1. 'king153246'
2. Adam 'ISmellToast' Crawford
3. Ivan 'zidix' Zhechev

Big hitter – 'king153246'

In common with the majority of Pick 3 players, it seems, the Big Hitter slot was a straight toss-up between the two dominant players in recent 'COOPs: Albania's 'king153246' and the Thailand-based Russian, 'FAL1st'. 

These two have been going head-to-head at the top of the leaderboards over the past couple of years, and in the absence of any solid information concerning their intentions this time, it seems fair to assume they'll be doing so again.

In the end, I plumped for 'king153246', but only did so based on further assumptions and inference. While 'FAL1st' has been doing this a very long time, 'king153246' is a relative newcomer, presumably with plenty of room for improvement still. 

'FAL1st' is obviously into a hugely successful groove already, but it might be a case of the best is still to come for 'king153246'. They haven't actually got over the line yet in a SCOOP mixed-game tournament, despite plenty of near misses, and I think we can assume this is a young player with plenty of enthusiasm still for the grind.

If things go their way, 'king153246' could land three, four, or five titles this time, in addition to numerous other final table appearances.

Ivan Zhechev could win you points across the entire SCOOP 2026 schedule.

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The field – Crawford and Zhechev

Picking two players from the field is incredibly difficult this time, not least because of some of the leading candidates might be indisposed. Joao 'Naza114' Vieira, for instance, would be a sensational pick if we could be certain he's playing, but the lure of Triton Jeju may prove too much for him. Ditto Juan 'Malaka$tyle' Pardo.

I've always been impressed by the consistent performances of Belarus-based 'Leqenden', and it seems I'm not alone based on the number of people who have drafted them. However, they mostly stick to hold'em, which limits their points-earning potential somewhat and led me to look elsewhere.

I landed first on Adam 'ISmellToast' Crawford, who has a very solid history of mixed-games success. Though Crawford only has one SCOOP win, his five WCOOP successes have all come in mixed games. The slightly earlier scheduling of SCOOP this time, compared with previous years, may mean Crawford is less inclined to get outside into the beautiful Canadian springtime. (I'm hoping for a cold snap to keep this pick indoors.)

My other selection is Ivan 'zidix' Zhechev. Here's another player who seems relatively new to COOP competition, at least based on their results, which show a first title in SCOOP 2025. But since then, Zhechev has won four titles in multiple disciplines. Zhechev therefore ticks those two important boxes: versatile abilities and the enthusiasm of youth. 

Zhechev plays across the levels but will likely now have a bankroll big enough to play whatever he feels like.

There are plenty of players, like Patrick Leonard, who could leave my team in the dust.

Hayley Hochstetler

In conclusion

As I'm sure many other Pick 3 players are very well aware, it's fiendishly difficult to name only three players for this game. If any of Benny Glaser, Patrick Leonard, Denis Strebkov or Kelvin Kerber, among others, get the rub of the green this time, they will immediately leave my team in the dust.

The same applies to Thiago 'tgrigoletti' Grigoletti, who has all the skills to deserve a place among the Big Hitters, but who is the obvious standout among the field. I've overlooked him purely to separate my team from many others. Grigoletti has proved justifiably popular among other Pick 3 players.

And, of course, it does feel somewhat terrifying to enter the world of SCOOP without a Brazilian on my team. But there are just so many of them, and they're all excellent. I couldn't pick just one.

And now, it's over to you, variance. Do your worst.

You've got until 8am ET on March 1 to draft your Pick 3 team for SCOOP 2026. Find out how below.

Win a $5K Irish Open package with our new Pick 3 SCOOP contest! Pick 3 players to dominate PokerStars SCOOP 2026 for a chance to win a $5K Irish Poker Open package.

Adam Hampton / February 18, 2026