WSOP

If we compare poker to football, then the November Nine, the nickname for the Final Table of the World Series of Poker (WSOP)’s Main Event, would be the equivalent of the Super Bowl. So for us poker-heads, the end of October is like the end of January for football fans: filled with excitement and anticipation.

Taking place on November 4^th and 5^th at the Rio Las Vegas, the WSOP Final Table pits nine of the world’s best poker players against each other. As we countdown to the highlight of the poker year, we’ve got a helluva lot more than nine questions – but only two of them really matter: who are the players and who’s most likely to win the event?!

The favorite to win the WSOP Main Event is J.C. Tran, who’s already won two WSOP bracelets at events in 2008 in 2009, though has yet to triumph in the Main Event. Tran heads to the final table with 38 million in starting chips. The odds of the player nicknamed ‘Just Call’ Tran triumphing in November are just 9/5, according to online sports-book Bovada.

Snapping at Tran’s heels with odds of 9/2 and 29,700,000 in starting chips is Israeli player Amir Lehavot. The 38-year-old who’s currently based in Weston, Florida, is no stranger to WSOP victories, having won a 2011 Pot Limit Omaha event.  Prior to the Main Event, Lehavot has cashed in an impressive 12 times at the WSOP.

Also in with a fighting chance of winning the WSOP Main Event is Marc-Etienne McLaughlin. The 25-year-old from Montreal, Canada, will sit down at the final table with 26,525,000 in chips. Bovada gives McLaughlin, who’s yet to win a WSOP bracelet, winning odds of 5/1. Close behind the Canadian is Ryan Riess, a 23-year-old from Michigan who’s already cashed in at three previous WSOP events. The young American player holds winning odds of 6/1 and 25,875,000 in chips.

In with less of a chance of triumphing at the Main Event is Jay Farber, who brings to the final table 25,875,000 in chips but limited poker-playing experience. This is only 28-year-old Farber’s second time playing in the Main Event. Bovada gives him odds of 7/1.

The remaining players have only an outside chance of winning at the Rio. Frenchman Sylvain Loosli holds 19.6 million in chips and Bovada has given him odds of 8/1 to win, while Dutchman Michiel Brummelhuis, has significantly lower starting chips (11,275,000) and winning odds (13/1). However, Brummelhuis’ chances are not as low as the two other Americans, Mark Newhouse (7,350,000 in chips and winning odds of 15/1) and David Benefield (6,375,000 in chips and also with odds of just 15/1).

Don’t go writing off Loosli, Brummelhuis or even Newhouse and Benefield just yet. Remember odds are just a guide: any one of them could win the WSOP Main Event and send J.C. Tran home early.

Who do you think will win the WSOP Main Event? Tell us in the comment section below. Watch the tournament on ESPN or, even better, head to the Rio to watch it live!