World Series of Poker Betting Props: Prognosticators Going All-In for 2016 Event

With less than two weeks to go before the start of poker's premier tournament, the $10,000 buy-in Main Event at the World Series of Poker, the prop betting market has opened for business at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark.

Attracting over 6,000 entrants every year during the last decade, the Main Event is truly an international affair that draws card sharks from across the planet, so opportunities abound for poker fans to wager on the results.

According to Odds Shark, you can wager on everything from the age of the next champion or their country of origin to the strength of the final hand or the fate of celebrities.

Check out a few of the most interesting wagers below, along with a bit of insider's advice on the best play for each.

Age of winner: Over 27.5 (-120) / Under 27.5 (-120)

Poker used to be the game of distinguished gentlemen, but today, tournaments are typically dominated by 20-somethings. Indeed, the last Main Event winner over the age of 27 was Jerry Yang (2007), and since then, the average age for world champions is just 24.

Last year saw three players over the age of 35 reach the Main Event final table, but in the end, it was a 24-year-old Joe McKeehen who took down poker's most prestigious prize.

Taking the under here is never a bad bet, especially considering that a majority of the massive field will fall into the youth category.

How many Americans will make the final table? Over 4.5 (-150) / Under 4.5 (+110)

This bet presents a mixed bag, as it seems to be anybody's guess how the final table flags will line up from year to year. Since 2010, at least five American-born players have made the Main Event final table four times, with international players making up a majority on the other two occasions.

In 2012, eight of the November Nine hailed from the United States, but the year before that the number was cut to three.

Due to the dominant performances put up by Europeans such as the Global Poker Index (GPI) top-ranked player, Fedor Holz, along with players like Dominik Nitsche, Davidi Kitai and Mustapha Kanit, taking a flyer on under at +150 (bet $100 to win $150) should offer decent value.

However, with 14 of the GPI's top 20 flying the Stars and Stripes—including second-ranked Jason Mercier, who has already won a pair of gold bracelets this summer—betting on Americans to fill up the final table is the safest play.

Who will last longer at the World Series of Poker?

This bet comes in five varieties, each pitting a pair of well-matched poker pros (and in one case, celebrities).

Phil Ivey (-130) vs. Phil Hellmuth (-110): This should be a lock for the Poker Brat, as Ivey hasn't even played in a bracelet event this summer.

Doyle Brunson (+110) vs. Barry Greenstein (-150): At 82 years of age, chances are Brunson will skip the Main Event, as he has since 2014.

Matt Damon (-120) vs. Ben Affleck (-120): Damon famously played Mike McD in Rounders, but his pal Affleck won the 2004 California State Poker Championship. Flip a coin and hope for the best.