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Daniel Negreanu Narrowly Favored to Win 2019 World Series of Poker

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in News

Updated Mar 24, 2020 · 3:10 PM PDT

Daniel Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu is third on the WSOP all time money list with over $16 Million in career cashes. Photo by World Poker Tour (flickr).
  • You can wager on who will finish the highest in the 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event
  • Daniel Negreanu is the favorite followed by 10-time bracelet winner Phil Ivey and 15-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth
  • Who’s the best bet?

Shuffle up and deal. The 2019 World Series of Poker is officially underway, and although the Main Event doesn’t start until July 3rd, you can wager on who will have the highest finish in the most prestigious poker tournament of the year.

2019 World Series of Poker Main Event Odds

Player 2019 World Series of Poker Odds
Daniel Negreanu +175
Phil Ivey +250
Phil Hellmuth +550
Dylan Linde +600
Allen Cunningham +600
Johnny Chan +600
Shaun Deeb +800
Gus Hansen +900
Tom Dwan +950
Jason Mercier +1100
Doyle Brunson +1100
Doug Polk +1200
Joe Mckeehen +1200

Odds taken 05/30/19

Daniel Negreanu is the current favorite, fresh off a sixth place finish in one of the opening events of the 2019 series, followed by Phil Ivey and Phil Hellmuth. The latter two rank first and second on the WSOP all-time bracelet list, while Negreanu has the most career WSOP earnings of anyone on the oddsboard.

WSOP All Time Money List

Player Career Earnings
Antonio Esfandiari $21,834,853
Daniel Colman $17,413,655
Daniel Negreanu $16,364,794
Jonathan Duhamel $14,647,089
Phil Hellmuth $14,496,570
Justin Bonomo $13,826,152
Joe Cada $13,102,334
Elton Tsang $12,411,124
Jamie Gold $12,194,746
Martin Jacobson $12,135,535

Kid Poker is a Worthy Favorite

It’s hard to not want to bet Negreanu even at his short odds. He’s one of the most accomplished tournament pros in poker history and is the only player to win multiple WSOP Player of the Year awards. He has a long track record of success at the WSOP, with six career bracelets and multiple deep runs in the Main Event, most recently in 2015.

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The problem though is the Main Event is a high variance tournament and even the best pros are just as likely to bust on Day 1 as they are to make a deep run. Negreanu hasn’t cashed in the Main Event since his 11th place finish four years ago, and with so much volatility involved I’d rather take a shot on a player with longer odds.

Shaun Deeb is Flying Under the Radar

Shaun Deeb had an epic 2018 WSOP en route to winning Player of the Year honors. The 33-year-old captured two bracelets and over $2.4 million during the series, and is completely undervalued on this list. He has over $14 million in live and online tournament earnings, and has at least 10 cashes in back-to-back years at the WSOP.

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His +800 odds scream value to me, but he’s not the only long shot on the board worthy of consideration.

Other WSOP Value Picks

  1. Jason Mercier (+1100): A five-time bracelet winner, Mercier has made 17 WSOP final tables and holds the record for the most weeks ranked number one on the Global Poker Index.
  2. Joe Mckeehen (+1200): The 2015 Main Event champion is off to a hot start this year, with three final tables in the last two and a half months, including a win at a WSOP circuit event and a third place finish at a WPT 25K high roller last month in Florida.
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