PokerNews Ranks WSOP Main Event Final Tables Since 2003

The World Series of Poker Main Event Final tables are all about the action at the table and the players who make that time worth it and memorable for audiences everywhere.

There have been 13 World Series of Poker Main Event champions since 2003, a year which we’ve liberally deemed to mark the start of the modern-day WSOP era. For your reading pleasure, the PokerNews editorial staff decided to take a swing at ranking the WSOP Main Event final tables based solely on our own criteria of what a final table should be like.

For this list, our editorial staff ranked players based on star quality, entertainment, production value, what was most memorable about the event, impact, interest in the players and the play, speed of play and the general mix of players at the table.

There isn’t a perfect formula for determining these rankings, but we felt it was important for each member of the team to base their rankings on what the ultimate final table should look like.

1. Final Table 2003

Sarah Herring: 2003 is etched in the mind of anyone who loves poker. The everyman Chris Moneymaker vs. the high-stakes poker regular Sam Farha. I always loved watching Farha and he wasn’t afraid to bluff and talk. They were both interesting characters.

Pam Maldonado: Amateur Chris Moneymaker defeating pro Sam Farha heads up in 2003 will always be the best and biggest final table for obvious reasons.

Mo Nuwwarah: It feels like the Moneymaker win should be higher [on my list], but looking back, the only thing that really sticks out from that one is the heads-up match with Farha.

Martin Harris: Looking at these final tables in terms of their entertainment value, 2003 easily tops the list as containing the most characters and meaningful storylines affecting poker’s larger narrative.

Jason Glatzer: My top vote went to the 2003 final table due to the historic run by Chris Moneymaker along with many notable players on the final table.

2. Final Table 2009

Herring: 2009 Main Event Final Table contained a fascinating mix of players. You have the young gun Joe Cada who eventually wins, but you never saw that coming until the very end! Of course all eyes were on Phil Ivey, the established professional and arguably one of the best in the world. And then out of nowhere you have Darvin Moon, the logger and guy everyone can relate to. Seeing Darvin Moon win a huge hand against Phil Ivey, I think, gave us all hope. 🙂

Maldonado: Ivey on the final table? Easily at the top of my list.

Frank Op de Woerd: 2009: Darvin Moon, what a story that was! He didn’t want any sponsor deal, which boggled my mind. He was just there playing his favorite game, not much else. Could one of the way more experienced players beat him? In the end, Joe Cada did, but it was exciting to follow along with.

Glatzer: The 2009 final table got my number two vote due to the amount of top tier players on the final table.

3. Final Table …

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