Poker News

Bookmakers have installed Jonathan Duhamel as the clear favourite for the World Series of Poker Main Event.

The Canadian heads into the 'November Nine' final table as clear chip leader with 65,975,000 and is a 3-1 chance with Sportingbet to win the biggest prize in world sport.

But history shows the winner rarely leads heading into the final table - last year's champion  Joe Cada was fifth and available at 18-1 – meaning there could be real value in backing others in the field.

John Dolan, a 24-year-old pro, is second in chips with 46,250,000 and available at 4-1 with Boylesports while Joseph Cheong, who lies in third with 23,525,000,  is a meaty 7-1 with Bet365 who pay each way at 1/5 of the odds on the top three places.

Michael 'The Grinder' Mizrachi, who has 14,450,000  chips, is many people's favourite for the $8.94m title and the most experienced player left. He is a 13-2 shot with Boylesports.

Betfair spokesman Richard Bloch said: “As usual the final table is dominated by young online poker players from North America.

“Duhamel is the man to beat but having seen Michael Mizrachi grind his way back from under 100K on Day 4 he is going to be tough to beat and at 8-1 looks to be amongst the favorites with our customers.”

Few recent champions have been flying at the start of the final table. Only Jamie Gold in 2006 was a clear chip leader while Peter Eastgate (4th), Jerry Yang (8th) and Joe Hachem (6th) have proved it is possible to win the big one with a late surge. 
 
WSOP MAIN EVENT WINNER 2010
CHIP COUNTS AND CURRENT BEST ODDS

Seat 1: Jason Senti — 7,625,000 (25-1 Bet365)
Seat 2: Joseph Cheong — 23,525,000 (7-1 Paddy Power)
Seat 3: John Dolan — 46,250,000 (4-1 Boylesports)
Seat 4: Jonathan Duhamel — 65,975,000 (3-1 Sportingbet)
Seat 5: Michael Mizrachi — 14,450,000 (13-2 Boylesports)
Seat 6: Matthew Jarvis — 16,700,000 (12-1 Bet365)
Seat 7: John Racener — 19,050,000 (10-1 Boylesports)
Seat 8: Filippo Candio — 16,400,000 (14-1 Boylesports)
Seat 9: Soi Nguyen — 9,650,000 (20-1 Bet365)