2007 WSOP: Top Stories of the Week

The WSOP kicked off last Friday with a record-breaking champion in event #1. The $5000 Mixed Hold’em event was won by Steve Billirakis who was 21 years and 11 days old when he won the bracelet. That broke last year’s record for the youngest bracelet winner held by Jeff Madsen, who was a whole month older than Billirakis. It was expected that Madsen’s record would stand for a long time; this new one surely will last a few years.

A couple of days later, event # 3 broke a previous record for a non-WSOP main event with 2,891 entries. It ranks as the third-largest poker tournament of all-time, coming in behind only the WSOP main events of the last two years. The almost $4.5 million prize pool was shared by 270 players that cashed, with the first-place prize of $727,012 going to Irishman Ciaran O’Leary, aka "Big C".

One of poker’s brightest stars has to wait a bit longer for his first WSOP bracelet. Gavin Smith is considered one of the best that has not yet won a bracelet, and that label will get bigger after he lost a head-to-head battle against event #4 winner Michael Spiegel. Spiegel battled back from sixth place to win $251,957 and the bracelet against a seasoned final table.

Event #5 was one of the tournaments that was created for the pros this year, and the Pot Limit Omaha & Seven Stud Hi/Lo event turned out to be the professional battle we all expected. Big names like Annie Duke, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Josh Arieh, Scotty Nguyen, David Benyamine, and Tom Schneider were all still around with ten players left. Schneider emerged as the eventual winner of the $214,347 first prize and bracelet.

Finally, up-and-comer Erik Cajelais of Montreal is on the verge of winning his first WSOP bracelet. The young star has been tearing up the tournament scene and is rumoured to be crushing big cash games for the last two years. He is head to head with seasoned pro and WSOP bracelet winner Burt Boutin, and has roughly a 4 to 1 chip lead over Boutin.

With all of this occurring in the first week of the tournament, 2007 surely will be a special and memorable year at the Rio. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Technorati tag(s): wsop, josh arieh

Free NBA Picks: Cavs Will Win

Now you can't say I've never given you a gift before because here's some betting advice you can practically take to the bank: LeBron James and the Cavs will eliminate the Pistons to take the NBA Championship.

Don't believe me? Here's another sports betting information site that agrees.

Bet on the NBA Finals odds here.

Technorati tag(s): nba finals

Who Will Win the 2007 WSOP Main Event?

"Nobody" will win. Well, what I mean is another unknown will walk away with millions. Just like last year.

I won't even pretend to know a whole lot about No Limit Texas Holdem Poker, but I do know a thing or two about the WSOP...having watched it closely for the last three years. (Hell yeah I paid for the live PPV Main Event last year!)

But even if you don't play poker religiously you can still have some fun betting on the WSOP. Here's a poker blog that's got some cool WSOP predictions. And for some fun WSOP prop bets, check this site out.

Technorati tag(s): no limit texas holdem, wsop

Betting on the Belmont Stakes?

If you've never bet on the ponies before, now is your big chance. (And if you've never bet on a Triple Crown race before, this is your last chance this year.)

The last of the three Triple Crown jewels, the Belmont Stakes runs this weekend at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York and it is the longest and demanding of the Triple Crown series. Favored to win this year's Run for the Carnations is Curlin.

Bodog Sportsbook odds to win the 2007 Belmont Stakes:

Imawildandcrazyguy 20/1
Tiago 10/1
Curlin 6/5
C P West 12/1
Slew's Tizzy 20/1
Hard Spun 5/2
Rags to Riches 3/1

For more horse racing analysis, read this article by DRF's Steve Davidowitz.

Technorati tag(s): belmont park, belmont stakes, belmont stakes odds

Anaheim Ducks: 2007 Stanley Cup Champions?

With the series largely lopsided at 3-1, the NHL Stanley Cup Final could come to a screeching halt tonight in California. The Anaheim Ducks are one win away from winning their first Stanley Cup. The Ottawa Senators, on the other hand, are one win away from another disappointing playoff run. (Well, that's not exactly fair considering they made it to the Final Round this year. But a loss is a loss.)

But then the Ducks know a thing or two about losing in the Final Round. This is their second kick at the can and some are wondering if they've got what it takes to finish.

"We learned a lot of lessons the last two years," said Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer, a three-time Cup champion with New Jersey — including in 2003 over Anaheim. "All those past situations, we'll be able to go back and those will help."

Me? I'm betting on the Sens to take this one. Their backs are so far up against the wall they've got no choice but to win or die trying.

For more betting info, check out Sport Betting Information.

Bodog's got the NHL hockey odds on tonight's game!

Technorati tag(s): stanley cup final, nhl hockey odds