With another 32 names still to be revealed things could take a different turn but for now the list is filled with fairly tried-and-true picks from poker’s elite.
Inconic poker names Doyle Brunson, Erik Seidel, Andy Bloch and Daniel Negreanu all made the cut from poker’s “old guard” as did Antonio Esfandiari, Barry Greenstein, Mike Matusow, John Monnette, Mike Sexton and Ivey.
Representing the younger generation of online grinders are Galfond and Dwan along with Brian Hastings, Faraz Jaka, Greg Merson, Scott Seiver, Yevgeniy Timoshenko and Mohsin Charania.
Ho, Rousso and Tilly Only Women So Far
So far just three female players have been named in Maria Ho, Vanessa Rousso and Jennifer Tilly, but it would be a surprise if all-time leading money winner Vanessa Selbst and PokerStars pro Liv Boeree weren't included in the remaining 32.
Others who have independently confirmed they'll be playing but aren't on the current list of 32 include Viktor "Isildur1" Blom, Chris Moneymaker, Matt Salsberg, Phil Hellmuth and Dan "Jungleman12" Cates.
Annie Duke and Chris Ferguson, both past NBC Heads-Up champions who typically receive automatic invites, are not on the confirmed list.
Filming is set for January 24-26 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with each session beginning at 1:30 pm. A selection party to set the final 64-player bracket will be held on January 23 at Caesars.
The current list of confirmed players:
1. Doyle Brunson 2. Erik Seidel 3. Andy Bloch 4. Daniel Negreanu 5. Brian Hastings 6. Bertrand (Elky)Grospellier 7. Andrew Frankenberger 8. Phil Galfond 9. Antonio Esfandiari 10. Will Failla 11. Matt Glantz 12. Barry Greenstein 13. Maria Ho 14. Vanessa Rousso 15. Phil Ivey 16. Mike Matusow 17. John Hennigan 18. Faraz Jaka 19. Ben Lamb 20. David Williams 21. Jonathan Duhamel 22. Tom Dwan 23. Greg Merson 24. John Monnette 25. Mike Sexton 26. Mohsin Charania 27. Olivier Busquet 28. Jennifer Tilly 29. Yevgeniy Timoshenko 30. Scott Seiver 31. Eugene Katchalov 32. Greg RaymerVisit www.pokerlistings.com