WSOP

It's almost time for the World Series of Poker - so I thought we would take a look at how this year's WSOP is shaping up.

Right now the top favorites to win are:

1. Phil Ivey - 12 to 1
2. Howard Lederer - 15 to 1
3. Scotty Nguyen - 16 to 1
4. Gus Hansen - 18 to 1
5. Phil Helmuth - 20 to 1
6. Erick Lindgren - 20 to 1
7. Dan Harrington - 20 to 1
8. Johnny Chan - 20 to 1
9. (tie) Chris "Jesus" Ferguson - 22 to 1, Dutch Boyd - 22 to 1, Barry Greenstein - 22 to 1, and Sammy Farha - 22 to 1

Last year's winner - Chris Moneymaker is a 30 to 1 pick and the highest rated woman on the board is Annie Duke (Howard Lederer's sister) at 40-1.

Most of the well known poker pro's are listed but you can also play the "dead money" field with an even money bet. The last two winners (Chris Moneymaker and Robert Varkonyi) were unknown field bets.

You can also place some money on either celebrity player Ben Affleck (a 700 to 1 choice) or Gabe Kaplan (a 750 to 1 bet).

I'm curious to see what the winners take-home pot will be. In 2003 - Chris Moneymaker took home $2.5 million (before taxes of course) and in 2002 - Robert Varkonyi took home $2 million (again before taxes). Will this year's winner take home $3 million?

You can find plenty of WSOP info by clicking here.