World Series Of Poker Begins On Friday

Poker enthusiasts unable to take part in Las Vegas can back their favourite players with the bookmakers.

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) gets underway today and it is likely to be an event that interests both card players and sports betting enthusiasts.

Chris Moneymaker, Jamie Gold and Jerry Yang have made headlines in recent years by beginning poker's most prestigious tournament as unheralded players and finishing it as multi-millionaires.

The stories of those main event winners have also captured the public imagination and inspired many people to take up the game.

Some of those enthusiasts will be heading to the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to take part in the 55 tournaments that make up the WSOP and they will no doubt be dreaming of winning big money.

Others are likely to try and make money from the WSOP by backing their favourite professionals in the main event.

Five-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Ivey is 25/1 with 888sport to make the final table, while Daniel Negreanu is rated as a 50/1 chance and 2007 winner Yang can be backed at 300/1.

Denmark's Gus Hansen is the 14/1 favourite to be the top European player, while Hull's Dave Ulliott can be backed at 20/1 to be the most successful Briton.