Ville Wahlbeck has decided that this will be his last run in the World Series of Poker, and nothing, including a wildly successful run this year, is going to shake him from that particular tree. Ever since June 1st he has cashed in five events; 13th place in Event #18 - WSOP Omaha Hi/Lo World Championship ($31,633), 12th place in Event #44 - WSOP Razz ($12,737), 3rd place in Event #6 - WSOP 7 Card Stud World Championship ($152,914), 2nd place in Event #23 - WSOP No Limit Deuce to Seven Lowball World Championship ($172,864), and finally, 1st place in Event #12 - WSOP World Championship Mixed Event ($492,375). This gives him just under $800,000 for j a month of work. Even when Obama makes the invariable grab for his wallet, this will still be a tidy sum to take home to Finland with him. So why quit?
His success this year doesn’t take into account the fact that there are a few more events left that he can use to add to his growing pile of cash. Nor does it consider the fact that he is in the running for Player of the Year honors. So he could easily go over the million dollar mark for the summer. For a lot of folks, this level of success would be just the sort of crack hit that would keep them sucking on the pipe until they were a dried out and toothless wreck. Wahlbeck is a smart man and has seen how many players have overdosed on this sort of run. Apparently he doesn’t want to become another WSOP statistic.
The truth is that before this year his best WSOP showing was a mediocre 20th place back in 2007. He is aware that he caught lightning in a bottle just at the right time, and that it is unlikely he will reproduce this level of success again. So why try? Unless he nails a huge endorsement contract, one that makes another six weeks away from home worth his time, he has gotten all he could ever hope for from the WSOP this year; plenty of cash, a WSOP bracelet, and the respect of the poker world. Whether you agree with his decision or not, you have to respect a guy who knows when it is time to say he is done.
Wahlbeck will be seeking other challenges in life. "I've been playing professionally for six years and it's not the best thing to put on your C.V.," he said. While it is unlikely he will go back into teaching or journalism, the money that he has won this year gives the sort of financial cushion that will allow him to make a fresh. While it is unlikely that he will completely give up poker, we wish him well as he goes forward.
