[jat850]

They're heads-up pros. Ivey and many other well-known names are not heads up specialists like these competitors. They'd likely have an edge over almost any "recognizable" name player.

[iopq]

Ivey played successfully at the nosebleeds in HU, he'd crush face. He's probably a step below durrrr, galfond and blom, but still really really good.

[lintiness]

i'm informed and know next to nothing about two of the names. there are plenty of guys out there the poker world recognizes as better players.

[jat850]

Jason Les and Dong Kim both played in the previous competition, with Doug Polk (arguably the best heads up player in the world). They're reasonably in the discussion, and other factors such as interest and availability possibly factored in.

[sekasi]

you're missing part of the point.

The $200k pool of money for an actual 'celebrated' poker player is absolutely not worth the time and effort. Hence why you get a few tiers down in terms of player skill. Still valid tests though, you can't only compare it to the top 1%

[splonk]

It's not a few tiers down in skill, it's a few tiers down in fame. Each of the four players named is likely a favorite over Ivey in this format. Being a specialist counts for a lot here.

[iopq]

Ivey played HU vs. Tom Dwan, Galfond, Blom, etc. and did fine. There's no way they're favorites against Ivey.

[splonk]

Galfond thinks otherwise. From the article:

“Your favorite poker player almost surely wouldn't agree to play any of these guys for high stakes, and would lose a lot of money if they did,” Galfond added. “Each of the four would beat me decisively.”

[iopq]

Interesting, because for the durrrr challenge Galfond was named as the only person Tom Dwan won't play. Maybe I've been out of the loop too long.