Now that the WSOP is almost upon us, it is time for my annual guide to those players from the British Isles who are the most likely to bring home a bracelet. Failing that, these are all players who are certainly capable of going deep in multiple events this year.

Last year was the most successful year in WSOP history for European players, but not so fruitful for British players. However, there are many players who are more than capable of making 2009 the most profitable year ever for the UK. The tournament circuit in Europe and the UK has developed and matured so much over the past four or five years that it rivals the offerings available to US based players. The Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) and the European Poker Tour (EPT) are now both well established and good training grounds for players who wish to do well at the WSOP.

Praz Bansi picked up a WSOP bracelet in 2006 in a $1,000 no-limit hold 'em event and has five WSOP cashes to his name over the past three years. By his own admission he has had some rather lean periods over the past year and a half, however, his tournament form returned recently as he took down the $5,000 side event at the recent WPT Championship at the Bellagio for over $130,000.

Praz is a part of the Hit Squad and fellow team members Sunny Chattha, James Akenhead, Karl Mahenholz and Chaz Chattha also have claims on WSOP success. Grant Hinckle denied James a bracelet last year, but he collected over half a million dollars as runner up in a $1,500 event. James and the rest of the squad will be hoping to hit the centre of the target again this year.

Sunny Chatta has won a GUKPT event this year and his brother Chaz has also finaled on the UK tour. Karl Mahrenholz remains a solid player and although having no major titles to his name, he more than capable of rectifying the situation this time around.

The Hit Squad are possibly the best known of the up and coming British players, but there are other less well known but equally talented youngsters who are expected to be at this year's series. Chris Moorman is ranked number two in the world for online tournament play, but recently had to watch his less experienced father claim victory in the Manchester GUKPT. He is residing in Vegas for the next couple of months with three friends, who are also highly rated as online players.

Paul Foltyn, who last November sealed victory in the GUKPT grand final, will be one of Chris's roommates during the series. The other players in this group are David Gent and Steve Devlin. A strong showing is expected from at least one of them. James Dempsey is another successful online player who could be expected to do well at the series. Dempsey regularly stakes players from the UK in major competitions and even if he does not taste success himself, it is likely that one of horses will do the business for him.

Other players who are worth looking out for include last year's Irish Open winner Neil Channing and the reigning pot-limit Omaha bracelet holder Marty Smyth. J.P. Kelly is another who has been expected to score big for quite some time and this could this be his year. Of course there are also many other players who could do the business for Britain this year, but they are far too numerous to mention. Good luck to them all!

Jonathan Raab is a poker consultant and tournament reporter. He also represents online poker site Blue Square at live poker events in the UK and Europe, and manages the GUKPT. Email Jonathan at jr@bluesq.com