2009 WSOP Props: Who Will be Eliminated First?
by Bodog Poker | Nov 4 2009
We're only days away from the completion of the
WSOP Main Event final table. Bodog is offering prop bets on the action and one of the most intriguing bets is on who will exit the November Nine first. It's a long shot to pick the guy who's going to beat the odds and win the whole thing, but it's a much easier call to pick one guy to exit in ninth spot. This bet is even more intriguing when you look at the players that are on the short stacks because they're two of the best in the field.
Those short stack players are James Akenhead and none other than the best poker player on the planet, Phil Ivey. Even with only 9.75 million in chips, no expects to see Ivey go out first. Contrary to popular belief Ivey will not be looking to double up early on in the final table unless he's in an absolute nuts situation. He has 36 times the big blind when play resumes, and we all know that no one is going to want to be the one who doubles him up. Ivey will continue to play big cards and position until the blinds force him into a higher aggression level. The one factor that could make Ivey the first to exit is that he'll be playing for the win, and not to finish as deep as possible for the biggest payout. Odds on Ivey exiting first are 9:2.
That approach will likely be taken by the very talented young Englishman Akenhead. He only has 26 times the big blind when play resumes, and once the blinds elevate to 300K he will have less than 20 times. But the difference in cash between ninth and sixth place will mean a lot more to Akenhead than it will to Ivey, and the Englishman will likely be silent until he gets premium hands. The worst thing he has against him is his seat number - he's sitting between chip leader Darvin Moon and Phil Ivey. Odds that Akenhead goes out in ninth-place are 2:1.
The short stacked amateur in the field is French player Antoine Saout. He has nine and a half million chips and will not come into the event with the skill level of the other two short stacked pros. If he's been given any good advice over the last four months he'll be trying to last as long as he can, while the other short stacks go for it. Odds on the Frenchman exiting first are 23:10.
Next are Joe Cada and Kevin Schaffel, who both have odds of 4:1 to go out first. Cada has 13 million chips while Schaffel has 12. Cada is young but has shown skill on many levels through his run in the Main Event, and should have at least fourth or fifth place in his aspirations. Unless he runs into a cooler early on, Cada is unlikely to go down in ninth place. Schaffel is an experienced amateur with numerous big live tournament cashes. Of all the players in the field, Schaffel will likely be the quietest in the early going.
The rest of the players are long shot bets to go out first, but you can get odds on them. Who do you think will exit first? Place your bets and try your luck at Bodog.com.
