Merson to close the gap at the World Series of Poker final table

Jesse Sylvia is favourite to claim the 2012 World Series of Poker title as he heads to the final table with over $14m more chips than his nearest rivals for the crown.

Sylvia is a 7/2 shot to clinch the win with Ladbrokes, despite his relative inexperience on the World Series circuit.

He has picked up two cashes to his name, but there are only three players at the final table with fewer WSOP earnings than the American.

Sylvia’s biggest threat for the crown is Greg Merson, who can be backed at 9/2 in what appears a two-horse race at this stage.

Merson, unlike his compatriot Sylvia, has earned a WSOP bracelet in his career – one of only two players at the final table to have accomplished this feat – and has also picked up five cashes on the circuit.

His career earnings in the World Series sit at a monstrous $1,253,501; it’s easy to see why a player of this calibre is only slightly behind the favourite in the betting despite the gulf of chips that separate the pair.

The only European contender for the World title is the man closest to Sylvia’s mega-stack. Hungarian, Andras Koroknai, is priced at 5/1 which is huge given his current chip-standing. Not dissimilar to Sylvia, Koroknai is not as experienced as some other players at the final table and this is expected to work against him.

However, his strong position at the start of play ensures he is in with a shout and should definitely be aiming for a top-three finish in the least.

Rookie Robert Salaburu is an unknown quantity in the tournament in the sense that he’s never finished in the cash at a World Series event. He’s priced up as a 12/1 long shot, but shouldn’t be ruled out, especially if he can amass some chips in the early exchanges.

Short-stack Jeremy Ausmus has proven in the past he has what it takes to make waves in the big events and the man with 13 WSOP cashes under his belt has recorded two top-10 finishes in the past two years.

This is due to be his largest payday by a long way, but his track record is such that he could easily knock a few people out before he goes home.

However, it is Merson’s track record of success that sees his price represent the best value for poker punters.

All odds and markets are correct as of time and date of publication