Online Poker

It's not long now until the 2005 World Series of Poker kicks off at the Rio in Las Vegas. The last circuit event has just started in New Orleans, then a few days after the 1 1/2 month long WSOP circus starts on June 2.

Harrah's have broken tradition this year and have moved the tournament away from Binion's Horshoe casino in old vegas on Fremont St, to their strip flagship, the Rio. Although it's a much bigger and better venue, some of the regular WSOP participants will no doubt miss the fight for winners bracelets in the familiar surrounds of the Horseshoe.

So who are the favorites this year if there is such a thing? Picking from an estimated field of more than 6000 it is tough to predict with any real certainty if any household name pros will be able to wade through the dead money and internet qualifiers to make the final table.

Phil Ivey is my pick of the pros. He's had a good year and seems to have the patience required to pick his spots and outlast such a large field. Or maybe we'll get another Moneymake or Raymer who comes from nowhere to steal the prize?

Whatever the result, it is sure to be an exciting climax to the Poker year. Vegas will be buzzing from June 2 up until the finale on July 15. We'll keep track of the WSOP results right here on Poker.com so check back often for updates once the action starts.