While 20 years ago merely a couple hundred people competed in the main event of the WSOP this time round up to 8000 are expected to enter. In just 2 days the likes of David Beckham, Shane Warne, Leonardo Di Caprio, Toby Maguire and  Michael Greco are rumoured to be joining the ranks of gambling fanatics, wealthy businessmen and hardened poker pros in their quest for the ultimate prize in the poker world. The event has been surrounded by controversy since the decision to postpone the action at the final table for several months in order to create a greater TV spectacle. What everyone is wondering is what would happen if a player were to die during those months? Surely the unbearable tension of the wait is enough to induce a heart attack.  

So far 50 of the 55 events have been completed and 'The Poker Brat' Phil Hellmuth is currently the chip leader in the 51st ($1,500 H.O.R.S.E) hoping to win yet another bracelet. The debate over the merits of established live players and successful online players has been prominent this year round with many of the live poker pros shining throughout. Some of the most prestigious pros have proved their reputation by winning an event with Erick Lindgren, Mike Matusow, Pokerstars' Daniel Negranu, Barry Greenstein, Layne Flack and David Benymaine all adding to their collection of Poker triumphes. Perhaps the greatest achievement of the WSOP so far this year is John Phan's double, winning both the 29th event ($3,000 No Limit Hold Em) and the 40th ($2,500 2-7 Triple Draw). However ultimately all this is irrelevant in comparison with the main event which still looms and within 10 days we will know the lucky 10 who have reached the televised final table...

Paddy Power is offering odds on the top players to reach the final table of the main event with Phil Ivey as favourite with 25/1 and Allen Cunningham and Phil Hellmuth just behind at 50/1. Their betting options for the event even spread to a punt on the age of the winner and the odds of a female or a british person reaching the final table.

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