As the hype for the World Series of Poker Main Event continues apace Paddy Power have announced betting for the event to be held at the Rio Hotel and Casino Las Vegas from 28 July to 10 August 2006.

Interestingly the market they have opened is not for the outright winner, but to make the final table.

There are no suprises at who tops the running at this stage with Phil Ivey installed as 50/1 favourite to make the final table.

Paddy Power are particularly good at the innovative specials and there is no exception for this massive event which may see over 10,000 players competing. If a chosen player finishes in the top 60 in this event but fails to make the final nine, Paddy Power will refund the bet.

This historic tournament is the blue ribband event of world poker and sees the bookie offer more markets and better prices than any other bookmaker.

Current prices for some of the world’s biggest poker stars to make the final table of nine players (non-runner, no bet) include:

Phil Ivey 50/1
Daniel Negreanu 66/1
Johnny Chan 80/1
Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott 100/1
Barney Boatman 100/1
Andy Black 125/1
Ram ‘Crazyhorse’ Vaswami 150/1
Donnacha O’Dea 150/1
Doyle Brunson 150/1
David Sklansky 250/1

As for the celebrities that rock up to chance their arm, the odds are understandably a bit longer. They will join hundreds of pro’s and thousands of online amateurs, competing for the biggest prize in poker, a reported $10 million.

Ben Affleck 200/1
Matt Damon 400/1
Teddy Sheringham 400/1
Toby Maguire 400/1

Paddy Power, spokesman for the company said, ‘The sharks usually get their fish in these big poker games but with thousands and thousands of online qualifiers and 9 days of play to get through it really could be anybody’s game this year so we’re upping the ante and making things a little more interesting for the punter.’

Up to a dozen more markets will be added in the run-up to the event including top European player, top Irish/British player, online qualifiers finishing in the money, group ‘last longest’ betting and a woman to reach the final table.