FANTASY FRIDAY: Double and Triple Dipping

We’re just a few weeks away from a new season on Fantasy Poker Manager and while we wait impatiently for Cyprus, Los Angeles and Barcelona, let’s take some time to talk strategy in preparation for the second season of FPM … maybe the advice will help you take down reigning FPM King, American poker pro Kevin MacPhee (GPI#75).

Double-Dippers … and one Trip-Dip!

Our first three FPM events will take place within a few weeks and that may affect your available bankroll right out of the gate. We’ve talked about picking players who are playing in back-to-back FPM events in order to attempt and save a bit on the 5% fee you’re charged each time you sell a player. At that time, some of the biggest names in poker were playing the Bay 101 Shooting Star and EPT London back-to-back.

We thought we would once again look at scenario since FPM Managers will need to fix lineups for three tournaments right out of the gate. Now there is one difference from last year as the Legends of Poker and EPT Barcelona will take place on virtually the same days so players will need to chose between the two events once/if they have played Cyprus:

[table id=215 /]

Last year, several big name players played both the WPT Merit Cyprus Classic and EPT Barcelona. With only a few days between each event, it’s a smart move that will more than likely be duplicated this year.

Defending WPT Cyprus Champ Marvin Rettenmaier (GPI#3) is already expected to be at this year’s event and one would only assume that Mad Marvin would then make his way to Barcelona as big, soft fields await.

You can bet that reigning WPT Player of the Year Matt Salsberg (GPI#54) should be counted on to use his “home-court” advantage playing in his backyard at the Legends of Poker but will he be taking advantage of those WPT PoY perks and head on over to Cyprus and open his WPT season there prior to trying to conquer L.A.?

The trio of Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi (GPI#43), Robert Mizrachi (GPI#436) and WPT World Champion Chino Rheem (GPI#97) will be joined by other members of the Mizrachi clan in Cyprus … we can only assume that, like last year, they will be making their way to Barcelona right after. At a current FPM Maker Price value of only 10,000, Robert could be a great addition to your roster.

The German trio of recent WSOP bracelet winner Martin Finger (GPI#40), Manig Loeser (GPI#81) and Dominik Nitsche (GPI#86) all played Cyprus and Barcelona last season, no reason why they won’t do the same this season.

Erik Cajelais (GPI#488), Todd Terry (GPI#38) and Andy Frankenberger (GPI#292) will have tough decisions on their hands as all three played both Barcelona and the Legends in 2012, they will need to pick one of the two this season … in fact, Cajelais was the only notable on our list that played in ALL THREE tournaments last season, he sure enjoyed some extra frequent flyer miles for his efforts!

Here is a list of notable players who entered at least two of these events last season:

[table id=216 /]

Houston, We Have a Problem

The only problem with picking specific players for multiple events is that FPM lineups will lock for the Legends of Poker BEFORE lineups will lock for EPT Barcelona this season, and, from our analysis, many of these “double dippers” will be staying in Europe after Cyprus and not playing the Legends … so you will need to be creative when using this strategy … don’t put all of your eggs in one basket but should you end up taking a player like former EPT Tour Champion Nicolas Chouity (GPI#493) for Cyprus (if he plays) and he turns over a solid performance, it’s suggested you ride his success into Barcelona in hopes of him also collecting points in the EPT Main Event and then sell him at a tremendous profit … the good news? You have a few weeks to ponder your decision!

Head on over to Facebook and signup to play the GPI Fantasy Poker Manager – lineups for WPT Cyprus, the Legends of Poker and EPT Barcelona lock soon! … FPM is the OFFICIAL Fantasy Poker Game of the World Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker!

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