The Final Table

Another in the long line of eccentric bets courtesy of www.sportsinteraction.com - here the money is on who will reach the final table at the World Series of Poker's main event [click the dropdown list and look for "poker" under the "other" category].

WSOP started late this year, and the classic $10,000 no limit contest is to be played at the famous Binion's horseshoe from July 7th to 15th. Online registration closes two weeks before the event, if you have $10,000 and fancy a flight to Vegas.

Predicting one of the table finalists really borders on the ridiculous. Consider: 2003 saw a total of 839 entrants, with Internet qualifier and amateur Chris Moneymaker taking the crown. Due in part to the so-called Moneymaker effect and the spiraling popularity of poker, the number ballooned to an absurd 2,576 in 2004. Who knows how many entrants will chase the prize this year.

But super cool Dan Harrington, champion in 1995, made the final table in 2003 and 2004, proving that talent still goes a long way at the tables. So I've thrown down a few $3 bets on some characters surviving all the way to the final day:

Scotty Nguyen - 29 to 1
Sam Farha - 41 to 1
Max Pescatori - 51 to 1

Let's do it, boys!