WSOP Main Event 2011 Odds and Betting Preview

RIO CASINO, LAS VEGAS - The countdown to the 42nd Annual World Series of Poker Main Event is nearly over as the first runners hit the felt of the biggest tournament in the world at midday today. Jonathan Duhamel (pictured), is top priced at 225/1 (bet £1 to make £225 profit) with bet365 to beat upwards of 4000 people and make it two in a row.

The size of the Main Event field has been cause of much debate in the poker community, with early estimates on the pessimistic side thanks to the events in online poker in the United States meaning that millions of people would miss out on qualifying. Thankfully, the series has seen excellent fields in nearly all events. 6500 or more entrants is top priced at 6/4 with 888 Sport and Blue Square, while 4250-4999 is quoted at best odds of 16/1 on Betfair.

Phil Hellmuth has been highly impressive this series, with three second place finishes in championship events ($10k buyin or more). Hellmuth, known as the Poker Brat, is top priced at 11/2 with Sportingbet to cash in the Main Event (1/10 not to) and can be backed at best odds of 150/1 with Bwin and bet365 to win the Main Event and claim his still elusive twelfth WSOP Bracelet.

Matt Affleck, who finished 80th in 2009 and was brutally knocked out in 15th last year (see video) by eventual champion Jonathan Duhamel is quoted at best odds of 300/1 at bet365 to make another deep run and finally win the tournament.

Vanessa Selbst has over $4m in tournament winnings and is a top priced 10/1 shot with bet365 and Victor Chandler to be Top Woman in the Main Event. Liv Boeree, an EPT winner, is available at best odds of 11/1 at Sportingbet to be the last woman standing in the big one. Spain's Leo Margets made a very deep run in 2009 to be last woman and can be backed at best odds of 20/1 at bet365 to repeat the feat this year.

One player looking likely to miss the Main Event is Phil Ivey. The former Full Tilt Poker pro vowed not to play the World Series of Poker at all this year unless the company were able to guarantee the estimated $150m of U.S. players' money would be paid back after Black Friday. Barry Greenstein said that Phil Ivey had told him there was a chance he would play the Main Event, but it is looking increasingly unlikely now.

The main event starts today at 12pm in Las Vegas (8pm BST).

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WSOP Main Event field size betting
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Phil Hellmuth to cash in the Main Event betting