Betfair: Ivey Is the Betters' Favourite

"Popularity" could be Phil Ivey's middle name. People have bet more money on the Tiger Woods of the poker world than on any other player of the November Nine. It is, however, Garvin Moon, who is seen as the player most likely to win.

Phil Ivey is one of the world's best players. Now that he is about to sit at the final table of the main event, his fans are overjoyed. The poker superstar has won himself a seat at the most prestigious final table of the year - sounds like a real poker story.

Poker, however, wouldn't be poker if no-one would try to get their share of the proverbial cake. This also explains why Phil Ivey is the betters' favourite. People have bet more money on the Tiger Woods of the poker world than on any other player.

Betfair's International Public Relations Manager Richard Bloch announced that more than half of the roughly $20,000 bet on the November Nine, is actually bet on Phil Ivey. Betfair's special: the players can bet against each other and not against the bank. Every player can offer, accept or decline odds individually.

Ivey - the favourite of hearts, Moon - the favourite of the game

Even if the lion's share of the bets lies with Phil Ivey, the US-American Darvin Moon is still the favourite. With odds of 4.3, the chipleader is ahead of his fellow American player Eric Buchman, who is currently listed with odds of 5.7.

Phil Ivey (pictured right) started with odds of 8.0; the number of bets, however, has the odds falling. The betters don't seem to mind or be concerned about the fact that he only has the seventh largest stack at the final table. They are counting on the superstar's unprecedented experience and skill.

<tr"> </tr">

Betfair Odds of the November Nine Last updated: Fri. August 7th, 10:00
Name	Odds
Darvin Moon	4.3
Eric Buchman	5.7
Steven Begleiter	7
Phil Ivey	7.4
Jeff Shulman	8
Kevin Schaffel	16
Joseph Cada	15.5
James Akenhead	17.5
Antoine Saout	21