As the online poker community turns the page to 2010, several posters have weighed in on their 2010 predictions. Who will rise up during the forthcoming 365 days? What shenanigans will players remember the 2010 calendar year for? Will a brand new player like Isildur1 emerge on the scene? PocketFives.com member Burying_Luck started off the discussion by asking, “Who do you think will break through in 2010? Whether it's unknown to known, known to elite status, or even bring the haterade stating who you think will drop off.”

Burying_Luck called out icudonk, Brett ManchVegasPwn Boucher, and Metsfan512 as several players who could likely turn on the jets in 2010. On icudonk, Burying_Luck succinctly explained, “Very solid player, even better person. Works hard on his game and has big things coming. I really can't think of anyone more deserving. 2010 is year of the icu IMO.” He also singled out Dave doubledave22 D'Alesandro of Wenonah, New Jersey, whose recent tournament victories include the $150,000 Guaranteed Deep Stack, $50,000 Guaranteed, and $100,000 Guaranteed, all on UB.com. The three wins combined for over $80,000.
The first responder in the thread was Rafael elgordo420 Rovira, who forecast that he would win his first Sunday major in the new stanza. Frank Frank1The1Tank Calo was one of many responders who rallied behind Mike Gags30 Gagliano (pictured at left), saying, “I vote Gags30 to finally hit a big score. His biggest score lifetime is pretty tiny.” Poster rivverkiller agreed, lending support to Gagliano: “Gags30 gonna have a huuuuuuge 2010… BBOY3110 gonna have a big year too.”

PocketFives.com Mod Jason jdpc27 Wheeler was confident in his abilities in the new decade: “I'm putting my money on myself for 2010. Been way too close way too many times... Look for me to absolutely beast it up.” He won the Full Tilt Poker $50,000 Guaranteed this year for $38,000 and finished as the runner-up in a $1,500 buy-in No Limit Hold’em event during this year’s World Series of Poker (WSOP) for $418,000.

Jordan scraface_79 Smith (pictured at right) boldly predicted, “If i start hitting the treadmill, exercising, and doing the right things after the pca, i think it will be gg all who stand in my path if i want it.” Smith, who recently celebrated his four-year anniversary as a member of PocketFives.com, final tabled a PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) event for $84,000 and was the Final Table Bubble Boy in the 2009 WSOP Main Event. Despite not being a part of the November Nine, Smith earned nearly $900,000.

PocketFives.com member JesseWJames endorsed himself for a monumental 2010 run: “I just graduated college and got back from a three month trip to Europe during which I played almost no poker. I am going to be playing full time in 2010 and this is going to be my breakout year.” The California poker player is a former winner of the Full Tilt Poker $65,000 Guaranteed.

Albert Chuns was ecstatic for 2010 to kick off, explaining, “Well boys Im not a hsmtt but You will see me on my rise for 2010! LOOK OUT FOR ALBERT CHUNS BABY! Ill be up there in no time!” Chuns finished third in the Full Tilt Poker $21,000 KO Guaranteed in early September, earning $4,600, his largest online poker cash to date.

Phillip pbutchgolf Butcher gave a scouting report on one online poker player to look for as the industry rings in the new year: “There are tales about this young fella who lives in Huntington, WV that is supposed to take the world by storm this year. He goes by the name PnutSpry and he talks non stop about how he will be ranked in the top 100 by the WSOP. Watch out world!” In 2009, PnutSpry won the $35,000 Guaranteed on Full Tilt Poker for $8,600.

What does 2010 hold for you? Check out the thread in Poker Discussion and lend your insight.