TCOOP 2015 – Three Players in Contention for the First Grand Slam Title

In the event you don’t know (and I didn’t, in all honesty), the Grand Slam (in poker terms) means winning all three COOP titles (WCOOP, SCOOP, TCOOP) + taking down a Sunday Million. If you think it seems hard, you are right, it is very hard, as no one has been able to do it thus far.

However, as elusive as any title can be (not only in poker, but in general), someone usually claims it sooner or later. With the start of the TCOOP at PokerStars yesterday, it could be sooner rather than later, if cards go right for one of the three players in the contention.

First of the three is David ‘Gunslinger3’ Bach, originally from the Stats; the man who has nearly $3.5 million in live cashes and a WSOP bracelet to his name, which he earned for winning 2009 $50k Players Championship. As for his online results, Bach is only a TCOOP title short from making a Grand Slam after claiming the WCOOP title in 2013. Previous to that one, ‘Gunslinger3’ has won a Sunday Million and not one, but two SCOOP titles.

Next in line is the Canadian Paul ‘paulgees81’ Volpe. With more than $3 million in live tournament earnings, a WSOP bracelet that came earlier this year in the $10k 2-7 Lowball Championship and a myriad of different top finishes, Volpe is one of those guys you would prefer not to have at your table – live or online.

As for his ‘virtual’ results, his lifetime total exceeds the live score, as PocketFives have him tracked at $5,069,000. His Grand Slam adventure started in 2011 after his victory in a Sunday Million. Following that, he claimed his SCOOP victory in 2013 after defeating Shaun Deeb heads-up in a Badugi event and finally won a WCOOP title earlier this year.

Finally, Andrey ‘Kroko-dill’ Zaichenko, originating from Russia (if you couldn’t guess), has almost $2.3 million in live cashes and an EPT title to his name. Although Zaichenko doesn’t have any WSOP bracelets in his possessions as of yet, that doesn’t make him any less of a threat at the tables.

His online earnings are very close to the live scores, as PocketFives track him at $2.1 million and change. His WCOOP title came in 2010, while the triumphs in a Sunday Million and the SCOOP were realized in 2011.

Triple ‘COOP Candidates

While there are only three in contention for the PokerStars Grand Slam, quite a few players have a shot at claiming the Triple ‘COOP honor – 39 to be exact. Will any of these 39 manage to grab a title during this year’s TCOOP remains to be seen. One thing they will certainly not be lacking is the opportunity.

With the schedule of 50 events and covering wide spectrum of games, there is something for everybody in there, so our 39 + 3 will certainly have ample opportunity to show what they are made off.

Let the hunt begin!