Joined: Apr '11
Location: Romania
Age: 58 (M)
Posts: 2432
Every year one country outside of the US wins more than their fair share of bracelets at WSOP and this year it is their near neighbors Canada. So far this year Canada boasts seven bracelets, thanks to Jason Duval, Calem McNeil, Mark Radoja, Levi Berger, Michael Malm, Benny Chen and Charles Sylvestre. Canada always tends to be the second highest performing country at the WSOP, but rarely by such a margin at the halfway stage. So why are they crushing so much this year? Well like all impressive runs of form of course variance is going to play a big role in it. However there is also a case to be made for the fact that Canada is as near to Vegas as some American states, yet it still has legal online poker. This likely means that not only are Canadians playing more hands of poker, on average, than their US neighbors (giving them valuable experience) it also means they should be much greater in number than any other visiting country outside of the US.
Posted by Sorin888: Every year one country outside of the US wins more than their fair share of bracelets at WSOP and this year it is their near neighbors Canada. So far this year Canada boasts seven bracelets, thanks to Jason Duval, Calem McNeil, Mark Radoja, Levi Berger, Michael Malm, Benny Chen and Charles Sylvestre. Canada always tends to be the second highest performing country at the WSOP, but rarely by such a margin at the halfway stage. So why are they crushing so much this year? Well like all impressive runs of form of course variance is going to play a big role in it. However there is also a case to be made for the fact that Canada is as near to Vegas as some American states, yet it still has legal online poker. This likely means that not only are Canadians playing more hands of poker, on average, than their US neighbors (giving them valuable experience) it also means they should be much greater in number than any other visiting country outside of the US.
Since Canada is so close it probably has more players entered than any country than the US so that's going to be a major factor as well.
I would suggest making a ratio of the number of entries from each country and the number of cashes from each country for each of the major poker tours not just the WSOP, If any country consistently has a better ratio than others, it's a decent assumption that country has more than it's fair share of good poker players.
Joined: Jan '11
Location: United States
Age: 60 (M)
Posts: 3361
I'm thinking Europe, but I guess your looking for a breakdown by each country or state in Europe. If we were to breakdown the U.S. into what state has the best or promotes the best poker players then it would be a total different view. See what I'm saying? Better yet probably hear what I'm saying, no one better, read what I'm stating. They break Europe down into France, Belgium, Italy etc., but classify the U.S. as the U.S where it's actually made up of vaious states.
Joined: Nov '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 67 (M)
Posts: 3361
Green,europe is made up of different COUNTRIES,whereas the U.S is made up of different states,there is a difference,meaning europe is not a country but the U.S is.
Joined: May '08
Location: Lithuania
Age: 39 (M)
Posts: 10090
Hello all the wonderful mobsters out there, this is your friend pochui from Lithuania, somewhere near the sea writing to you, wish a good day to each and everyone of you.
Russia. Vodka. Dancing Bears.
I am very happy to be a part of such a great community, wish you the best of luck at the tables, off the tables, behind the tables, under the tables and in your life in general. Yours truly pochui, somewhere near the sea, Lithuania
Joined: Apr '11
Location: Romania
Age: 58 (M)
Posts: 2432
And a good day to you Pochui!What pochui mean or is just made it? Back to WSOP,it seems that this year the air conditioning inside the Rio has been taken to new lows. Over the last few days a number of pros have been discussing the Arctic conditions, but it's Daniel Negreanu who has been the most vocal. Tired of experiencing more than a cold deck, Daniel has called for the person in charge of the Rio's climate to be sacked. Taking his frustrations to Twitter, he wrote: "In 2013 every major casino should be able to control the temperature. The Rio fails miserably, it's constantly 68 degrees and someone should be fired."
Joined: May '12
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 38 (M)
Posts: 2064
Demo.... just gonna throw a few names at you here - I think I won't have to explain myself
...Justin Bieber, Celine Dion, Bryan Adams, Avril Lavigne, Michael Buble, Nickelback (!!!!!!!), Sum 41, Simple Plan.....
I could go on, but I consider my point well and truly made
------------ To answer the original question - I think it's hard to pick out one country that is the "best". I think it's fair to say that the USA had the edge until recent times, just because that's where the game was most popular, and has been for so long... But the inability to play online must have changed that - meaning countries like Canada, UK and Australia have caught up. Historically, it's a game that's been more widely played by the English speaking countries, so they all have a head start... but due to the TV and subsequent online boom, it's getting big all over the world, so the major European and South American countries are now catching up. It's not as popular in Asia, but is growing... and Africa comes in behind all others.
So I think it goes like this now...
Tier 1 - USA, Canada Tier 2 - UK, Australia Tier 3 - Rest of Europe (including Russia), Brazil, Argentina Tier 4 - Other South American, China, Japan, South Africa Tier 5 - Rest of Asia Tier 6 - Rest of Africa
With internet poker so big now - this will all even out over time, and the only thing that will determine the "rankings" will be the wealth of the country - so Africa, unfortunately will likely fall further behind.
Joined: Feb '12
Location: Canada
Age: 64 (M)
Posts: 6036
Posted by yout85: Demo.... just gonna throw a few names at you here - I think I won't have to explain myself
...Justin Bieber, Celine Dion, Bryan Adams, Avril Lavigne, Michael Buble, Nickelback (!!!!!!!), Sum 41, Simple Plan.....
I could go on, but I consider my point well and truly made
Hey dude,....you forgot probably the MOST important one of all,...which is RUSH...!
I've seen RUSH 5 times, including back in high school when they were just a little farty-assed Toronto bar band promoting their first album... They've come a LONG way since.... Probably the biggest act on earth today.... Just ask any American...
....BUT,....none of the ones you've mentioned even come CLOSE to the greatest of all bands EVER,....which are British...
Those being:
Led Zepellin
Genesis
Yes
Pink Floyd
might as well throw in The Beatles, and The Stones too...
...and being a drummer myself,...I can tell you that amongst ALL drummers on earth,....THE BEST Progressive rock/Rock/Fusion drummer is Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson, Genesis,...others). HE is regarded as GOD amongst drummers....and he's British...
I met him in the mid '90s,... It was like a Christian meeting Jesus,.... The one guy out of over 6 billion folks on the earth I thought I'd NEVER ever meet....
So really,....all time,....the Brits have produced THE BEST ever, hands down....
Joined: Feb '13
Location: Netherlands
Age: 51 (M)
Posts: 508
Posted by demodawggy: Well OBVIOUSLY it's Canada....
I would say per capita,....Canada has MORE GREAT poker players than anyone else....
That also goes for actors, comedians, and musicians in particular....
Men too,...Canadian men are REAL men,.....a man's man....
...unlike all you American and European pansy asses and girly-men.... <eh...?
Saw a a nice fact about Canadians on TV ( the "fact" came out of the 70's show so 100% sure as it wasnt Kelso who said it.... )
Cananadians have stronger beer and therefore Canadian woman are better looking then their American Neighbours......
So no wonder they are that good at poker..... I almost wish to be Canadian... if I was anything diffrent then Dutch, I woul aply at the Canadian embassy right away. wonder if they would have me tho........
Joined: Mar '09
Location: Greece
Age: 47 (F)
Posts: 14136
Now its a thread about poker and you go and throw in all sorts of names. All of them were fine. but Justine Bieber? Seriously lol I dont know why that idiot has so much publicity It was only about a month ago i first ever heard a song by him in the radio. And i mean an announcement about it, cause i changed station at once
Joined: Feb '12
Location: Canada
Age: 64 (M)
Posts: 6036
Posted by Mober: Now its a thread about poker and you go and throw in all sorts of names. All of them were fine. but Justine Bieber? Seriously lol I dont know why that idiot has so much publicity It was only about a month ago i first ever heard a song by him in the radio. And i mean an announcement about it, cause i changed station at once
He makes all the little 15 years old girls get a damp spot in their panties...
Joined: Apr '11
Location: Romania
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 6669
Now we speak only for live players but when we are talking about online too a good point is that many US regulars moved to Canada so thats another reason for which Canada ranks are pretty high right now
Many prizes go to Europe too if you see it as a country(union), if you take it as separate countries most prizes go to UK and nordic countries.