special to OddsShark by Earl Burton (PokerNewsDaily.com)

The first two weeks of the 2013 World Series of Poker have brought a great deal of excitement to the railbirds around the Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino.

Some familiar former champions have reappeared on the scene (or come close), making history through the first 16 events of this year’s tournament schedule. While one tournament in its own right has made history, there have been some worries over other events that haven’t drawn in the players they did in 2012.

Here is the latest World Series of Poker news as of June 11.

Mike Matusow, Tom Schneider Win Bracelets; Allen Cunningham Comes Close

Over the first two weeks of the 2013 WSOP, what has been a bit surprising is the number of top professional players who have been taking part in some of the lower buy in tournaments.

Normally the pros reserve their efforts for the “big money” events ($5000 and up) or non-Texas Hold’em tournaments and avoid the minefield that the lower denomination tournament have become with their massive fields. With that said, there have been some notable performances over the first fortnight of the WSOP.

June 7 was one of those days where the pros’ skills shone on the WSOP stage. Mike Matusow, coming off his victory at the National Heads Up Poker Championship in January, emerged as the champion of Event #13, the $5000 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo tournament.

Matusow’s victory was not only sweet in that it was his fourth ever WSOP bracelet win (putting him in some rarefied air) but also in that he defeated a tough field to get there. Mike Leah, Gavin Smith, Yuval Bronshtein and David “Bakes” Baker all tried to stop Matusow, but “The Mouth” wouldn’t be denied!

Also on June 7, Allen Cunningham came thisclose to joining Matusow on stage to receive a bracelet. Cunningham battled against Lev Rofman in the $1500 Pot Limit Hold’em event, holding the lead at the start.

Rofman would slowly work his way back to even, however, and end up winning Event #12, denying Cunningham his sixth bracelet.

Finally, just last night, 2007 WSOP Player of the Year Tom Schneider earned his third bracelet in Event #15, the $1500 H.O.R.S.E. tournament. Schneider defeated such players as Frankie O’Dell, Rep Porter and eventual runner-up Owais Ahmed on his way to taking the WSOP gold and the $258,960 first place prize.

In the years since his POY run, Schneider’s wife, Julie, had arguably been more successful in making two final tables, but Schneider put that behind him with his championship run on the felt in H.O.R.S.E.

“Millionaire Maker” Exceeds Expectations

The “Millionaire Maker,” Event #6 on the WSOP schedule, was one of the events closely watched by pundits to determine how “big” this year’s WSOP would be. The tournament guaranteed a first place prize of at least $1 million and WSOP officials expected 5000 entries for the event.

With two starting flights – and the opportunity for those who were eliminated in the first flight to re-enter the second – the “Millionaire Maker” ended up bringing the largest non-Championship Event field in WSOP history to the tables, a total of 6343 entries.

When the final table concluded on June 3, it was Canada’s Ben Chen walking off with the top prize of $1,199,104. Other notables at the final table included WSOP bracelet holder Dan Kelly (5^th, $302,104) and online wizard Chris Hunichen (6^th, $299,575).

Attendance – Up or Down?

Although the “Millionaire Maker” exceeded the expectations of WSOP officials, there have been other tournaments that have fallen a bit short. Event #9, the $3000 No Limit Hold’em Shootout tournament, only drew in a field of 477 when it was capped at 2000 players on June 3.

The $10,000 Heads Up No Limit Hold’em event, which started on June 7, was capped at 512 players and only pulled in 162. Even some of the smaller buy in tournaments have failed to meet their 2012 numbers, a concern as the WSOP rolls deeper into its schedule.

With five more weeks on the agenda, there is plenty of time for more history to be made at the 2013 WSOP.

With such tournaments as the $50,000 Poker Players Championship, the $111,111 One Drop High Rollers event and, of course, the $10,000 Championship Event waiting down the road, it promises to be an exciting time for poker players and fans as the 44^th Annual World Series of Poker rolls along.    

The golf world has been rooting for Tiger Woods to return to his old habit of winning big tournaments, and sportsbooks are no different.

A Tiger that wins big tournaments is good for business and with four wins in eight starts this year, business is booming for golf bettors.

So when you combine his improved play with his transdendant personality, it's no surprise Woods is the favorite on US Open odds menu across the planet.

The113^th US Open goes at Merion Golf Club, just outside of Philadelphia, this weekend.

As of early this week, Bovada was listing Woods at 9/2 to win this US Open.

But might golf bettors be wise to look elsewhere for their wagering choices for this weekend? Rather than Tiger, should we look to someone from the field to win this weekend?

Well, just look at some of members of that field.

Adam Scott has been the best Majors player in the world the last couple of years. He just won the Masters, nearly won a couple of Majors before that, and he's still got possession of the long putter. Expect Scott to be in the mix Sunday afternoon at Merion.

As of earlier this week, Bovada was offering odds of 20/1 on Scott winning this weekend.

Lefty Mickelson has won the Masters thee times previously, and just finished second in the St. Jude's Classic last weekend. He's also getting 20/1 to win this weekend.

Matt Kuchar just won the Memorial, won the World Match Play back in February and hasn't missed a cut this year; he's also getting 20/1 to win this weekend.

Graeme McDowell won the Open three years ago at Pebble Beach, finished tied for second last year, and he's won twice already this season. He's getting 22/1 to win this weekend.

Lee Westwood has finished in the top ten in three of the last five US Opens; he's getting 28/1 to win this weekend.

And Angel Cabrera, who nearly just won his third Major at the Masters, is getting 80/1 to win this weekend.

All that's not to mention Rory McIlroy (getting 20/1), Justin Rose (25/1), Luke Donald (33/1), Dustin Johnson (40/1) and Ernie Els (66/1), among many others.

As for this weekend's venue Merion, by US Open standards, is not a long course, and its abbreviated length should allow more players, especially those who don't bomb the ball off the tee, to stay in contention. That could be especially true if the grounds are as wet as they're expected to be this weekend.

For various reasons Merion, one of the great old courses on the Eastern Seaboard, hasn't hosted a PGA event since the 1981 US Open, won by David Graham.

The only player in this week's field with competitive experience at Merion is Ricky Fowler, who won all four of his matches in leading the US Walker Cup team to victory there in 2009.

Fowler is getting 66/1 to win his first Major tournament this weekend. See the full slate of US Open betting options before action kicks off this week.

LeBron James may get all the ink and the accolades, but Tony Parker is getting all the wins.

TP led the way, once again, for his San Antonio Spurs in Thursday night's opening game of the NBA Championship series, tossing in 21 points, including the final two that iced the game, as the Spurs stole home-court advantage with a 92-88 victory in Miami.

San Antonio won outright Thursday as five-point road dogs, and while getting upwards of +185 on the Game 1 NBA basketball betting odds menu. It was the seventh time in eight games that the Spurs have won as an underdog of six or less points.

Suddenly, the Spurs have seen their price on their odds to win the NBA championship drop from the +200 range to as low as -120.

San Antonio trailed for much of Game 1, but of course, even going against the defending league champs, the Spurs are never out of anything.

They began the fourth quarter down by three points, but slowly, on the strength of some great defense, San Antonio took over, and held a six-point lead with four minutes to go.

Miami got within two points on a couple of James free-throws with 30 seconds to go, but with the shot clock running out -  and we mean “running out” in the panic-stricken sense – Parker tossed in a leaner that provided the Spurs with the final winning cushion.

James posted a triple-double in Game 1, but “only” took 16 shots, the same amount taken by Chris Bosh. San Antonio wisely made James give up the ball on multiple occasions, and his Heat teammates just couldn't hit enough shots to make the Spurs change their defensive ways.

San Antonio outscored Miami 23-16 in the fourth quarter Thursday night; maybe that 10 days off between clinching the Western Conference title and Game 1 of the Finals helped.

Game 2 of this series will be played Sunday night (8 pm ET, ABC) also in Miami. In the early Game 2 betting most NBA betting outlets were listing the Heat at -6, with an OVER/UNDER of 188.

Bovada had the line at -5.5 as of Friday and OddsShark.com had 61% of the betting consensus on San Antonio.

One top seed for these NHL playoffs is one win away from advancing to its conference finals; the other top seed is one loss away from elimination. 

One seven seed is one victory away from winning a second-straight series, while the other seven seed needs a victory to stay alive.

And the defending champs, who were given at best a slim of repeating, are one win away from advancing to the conference finals.

All of which should make for an interesting weekend of NHL Stanley Cup playoff betting for all the puckheads out there.

This weekend's icy action begins Friday night when the Pittsburgh Penguins, the top seed in the East and up three games to one, look to put the Ottawa Senators out of their misery when the teams meet for Game 5 at the CEC (7:30 pm ET).

Pittsburgh won the first two games of this series at home, lost Game 3 in Ottawa, then scored four times in the first half of the third period Wednesday night to win 7-3.

If the Senators can push this series to a Game 6 it will be played Sunday in Ottawa.

Saturday the other Eastern Conference semifinals series could be decided, as the fourth-seeded Boston Bruins, up three games to one, shoot to eliminate the sixth-seeded New York Rangers at the Beantown Garden (5:30 pm ET).

Boston took the first three games of this series, but New York staved off elimination with a 4-3 overtime victory Thursday night.

Also Saturday in the Western Conference the seventh-seeded Detroit Red Wings will look to finish off the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks when the teams meet for their Game 5 at the United Center (8 pm ET).

Chicago won the opener of this series, but Detroit has won the last three games by a total score of 9-2.

Finally, in the other West semifinals series, the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings, who entered these playoffs as a five seed, will try to eliminate the sixth-seeded San Jose Sharks when the teams meet for their Game 6 Sunday at The Tank.

LA won the first two games of this series at home, before San Jose won the next two games on its home ice. The Kings then took a 3-2 series lead with a 3-0 victory at Staples Center Thursday night.

On the NHL futures betting market, Bodog is chalking the Penguins as 3/2 favorites to win the Stanley Cup, followed by the Kings at 7/2, the Bruins and Red Wings at 5/1, the Blackhawks at 10/1, the Sharks at 14/1, the Rangers at 40/1 and the Senators at 75/1.  

Orb drew the post position that has seen only one winner since 1960 and Preakness Stakes oddsmakers didn’t flinch.

Orb remained the huge 1-1 favorite to follow up his Kentucky Derby victory with another win, despite getting the rail position for Saturday’s race.

Only Tabasco Cat in 1994 has won from that position since Bally Ache did it way back in 1960. You know, before John F. Kennedy became president.

The second betting choice in Preakness Stakes betting at Bovada for 2013 is Mylute, who ran fourth in the Kentucky Derby. He is 5-1, while Departing – winner of four of his five career starts – was the third betting choice at 6-1.

With just a nine-horse field, drawing the inside position may be less of an in issue. And Orb seems to be the class of the field with plenty of horse wagering action on the Shug McGaughey trainee.

 “The No. 1 post in the Kentucky Derby is more of a problem than the Preakness, despite what the statistics say,” said Michael Dempsey of TurfnSport.com

“And don’t forget Orb broke from the rail in his Fountain of Youth win at Gulfstream Park, defeating heavily favored Violence.”

Recent Preakness Winners

Year

Winner

PP

Jockey

Trainer

Time

Odds

2012

I'll Have Another

9

M. Gutierrez

D. Oneil

01:55.9

3

2011

Shackleford

5

J. Castanon

D. Romans

01:56.5

12.6

2010

Lookin at Lucky

7

M. Garcia

B. Baffert

01:55.5

2.4

2009

Rachel Alexandra

13

C. Borel

S. Asmussen

01:55.1

1.8

2008

Big Brown

7

K. Desormeaux

R. Dutrow Jr.

01:54.8

0.2

2007

Curlin

4

R. Albarado

S. Asmussen

01:53.5

3.4

2006

Bernardini

8

J. Castellano

T. Albertrani

01:54.6

12.9

2005

Afleet Alex

12

J. Rose

T. Ritchey

01:55.0

3.3

2004

Smarty Jones

7

S. Elliott

J. Servis

01:55.6

0.7

2003

Funny Cide

9

J. Santos

B. Tagg

01:55.6

1.9

2002

War Emblem

8

V. Espinoza

B. Baffert

01:56.4

2.8

2001

Point Given

11

G. Stevens

B. Baffert

01:55.5

2.3

 

 

The Kansas City Royals made some upgrades over the off-season and so far things are working out; KC sits just a half-game out of first place in the AL Central.

This weekend the Royals get a chance to prove themselves worthy of at least mention when it comes to contender status when they host the AL East-leading New York Yankees for three games at Kauffman Stadium, starting Friday night.

KC just dropped two of three games in Baltimore, but before that the Royals hadn't lost a series since losing two of three to Toronto nearly a month ago. So in its quest for its first winning season in a decade KC is off to an 18-13 start and this is reflected in the MLB betting odds for their weekend action.

That start has also helped Royals backers pocket a profit of $580 so far this season, based on those theoretical $100 wagers on each game.

New York, meanwhile, has coped well without the likes of Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson to win 20 of its first 33 games. So the Yanks enter the weekend tied for first place in the AL East with Boston and Baltimore.

As of Friday morning baseball betting outlets were listing KC as a -135 favorite to win this series, with New York getting +115. Also, the OVER/UNDER on total runs for this series was proffered at 25.

Also this weekend around MLB betting the AL Central-leading Tigers were -280 favorites for their series against the 18-14 Indians (+230); the 21-14 Orioles, part of that three-way tie atop the AL East, were -115 favorites for their series at the 16-15 Twins (-105); the NL Central-leading Cardinals were favored by -240 for their series at home over the 19-15 Rockies; and the 16-18 Padres, who have won  11 of their last 14 games, were lined as +165 underdogs for their inter-league series at the 16-18 Rays.

How much wood would a Wood Memorial winner win if a Wood winner would win the Kentucky Derby?

That’s a silly twist on the woodchuck tongue twister, but it begs the question since Derby favorite Verrazano’s last win was the Wood Memorial on April 6: why do winners of that historic race never seem to perform well a few weeks later when they run for the roses at Churchill Downs?

And what is the recent hex that has seen three of the past four Wood Memorial winners sustain injuries and unable to fulfill their duty as leading Kentucky Derby contenders?

Since 2004, the Wood has been a springboard for 19 Kentucky Derby starters. But none of them finished any better than a fourth in those nine races.

“Maybe it is a curse or just really bad luck,” said veteran handicapper Michael Dempsey of TurfnSport.com, who has covered the New York circuit for three decades.

The last time a Wood Memorial winner turned out to be a successful bet on the Kentucky Derby, it was Fusaichi Pegasus back in 2000.

Verrazano, the top betting choice at 4-1 according to OddsShark.com Derby odds page, is unbeaten in four starts including the Wood and the Tampa Bay Derby back in March.

“Verrazano has been the early betting favorite for months, and is likely going to be sent off as the favorite on Derby Day, but his Wood was not that fast,” said Dempsey. “And remember his trainer Todd Pletcher has a bit of a curse going as well, as he is just 1-for-33 in the Derby.”

A year ago, Gemologist won the Wood but was a disappointing 16^th in the Derby after going off at 6-1 odds. “He was highly regarded and was sent off as the third choice, and he just did not fire,” said Dempsey.

In the three years before that, Wood winners Toby’s Corner, Eskendereya and I Want Revenge all came up a bit lame on the first Saturday in May and did not run.

Since Fusaichi Pegasus’s win, no Wood runner has finished higher than fourth at Churchill Downs.

 “Both I Want Revenge and Eskendereya would have been the betting favorites, and although Toby’s Corner would have been more of a price, I liked that colt too,” added Dempsey, who was recently introduced as the main handicapping voice at USRacebook.com.

The Pirates go for a sweep of the Diamondbacks Wednesday, the Rangers shoot for a sweep of the Rays and the Giants go for the sweep of the Rockies, while the Reds and Cardinals, Phillies and Mets, and Brewers and Cubs play rubber matches.

Here's a quick look at some of what's happening in baseball over the next couple of days, with some MLB betting odds for contemplation.

Texas (6-2) has taken the first two games of its series with Tampa (3-5) in Arlington by scores of 5-4 and 6-1. For Wednesday's game (2 pm ET) the Rangers with lefty Derek Holland were early -125 favorites over the Rays with lefty Matt Moore.

Defending World Series champion San Francisco has won the first two games of its series at home with Colorado by scores of 4-2 and 9-6. So the Giants have now beaten the Rockies 24 of the last 30 times the teams have met.

For Wednesday's series finale San Fran (5-3) with lefty Barry Zito was an early -135 favorite over the Rocks (5-3) with lefty Jeff Francis. 

Philly lost to New York's Matt Harvey Monday night, then bombed Dillon Gee Tuesday night. As for Wednesday's series rubber match (7 pm ET) the Phillies (3-5) with Kyle Kendrick were early -125 chalk over the Mets (5-3) with Jeremy Hefner.

Milwaukee won at Wrigley Field Monday 7-4, then lost Tuesday 6-3. For Wednesday's series finale (8 pm ET) the Brewers (2-6) with newcomer Kyle Lohse hitting the hill were early -115 favorites over the Cubbies (3-5) with newcomer Scott Feldman.

Looking ahead to Thursday the Giants and Cubs begin a four-game weekend series in Chicago; the Yankees finish off a four-game series in Cleveland; the Blue Jays, off to a 2-5 start, finish a three-game series in Detroit; the Orioles and Red Sox complete a three-game set at Fenway; the A's and Angels finish off a three-game series at the Big A; and the White Sox and Nationals play the final match of their three-game series in DC.

Watch for live lines on over unders and runlines as well as live wagering on key matchups.

The first weekend of the baseball season offers up some cherce betting opportunities, with several good series match-ups to choose from.

Among them, the Tigers and Yankees meet in an AL championship series re-match; the Cardinals and Giants meet in an NLCS re-match; the Angels and Rangers begin their season rivalry; and the Nationals hit Cincy to take on the Reds.

What are the MLB odds looking like for those wanting to learn how to bet on baseball? Check out the details below.

The banged-up Yanks, who just escaped getting swept by the Red Sox, will shoot for better results against the Tigers, who swept New York out of the ALCS last Fall. Detroit opened this season by losing two of three games in Minnesota, scoring eight runs total in the process.

The Yanks will throw Ivan Nova for Friday's series opener in Detroit, David Phelps Saturday and CC Sabathia Sunday, while the Tigers will go with Doug Fister, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

As of Friday AM Detroit was listed at -290 to win this series at Bovada.lv, with the Yankees getting +230.

Out in San Francisco the defending World Series champion Giants, who opened this season by taking two of three games from the rival Dodgers, will look to pull a repeat of their NLCS victory over the Cardinals.

St. Louis opened this season by losing two of three games in Arizona, and is already playing without both SS Rafael Furcal and closer Jason Motte, among others.

The Cardinals will send Jake Westbrook to the mound for Friday's series opener, Shelby Miller Saturday and Adam Wainwright Sunday, while San Fran will counter with Barry Zito, Ryan Vogelsong and Matt Cain.

In the early betting, the Giants were favored by -150 to win this series, with St. Louis getting +120.

Also for this weekend the Rangers were a -130 favorite to win their series at home versus the Angels (+100); the Reds were favored by -125 for their series at home against the Nats (-105); the 1-2 Brewers were favored by -130 at home over the 2-1 Diamondbacks (+100); the Dodgers were chalked at -300 for their series at home over the Pirates (+240); and the Blue Jays were favored by -175 for their series at home over the 2-1 Red Sox.

Watch for line moves at sportsbooks such as Bovada.lv.

Louisville continues to win and continues to cover point spreads and their winning ways have made them a popular choice among March Madness prop bets in 2013.

The Cardinals, a No. 1 bracket seed, are 3/1 odds to win the tournament, according to the NCAA basketball tournament props listed by Bodog.

They are favored to win the Midwest Regional and Russ Smith is the 5/1 choice to be named the Most Outstanding Player according to player props.

Check out the full list of Madness props, courtesy of Bodog.eu.

Odds to win the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship 

Louisville #1                   3/1

Florida #3                      19/4

Indiana #1                     5/1

Miami Florida #2            15/2

Ohio State #2                15/2

Michigan #4                   11/1

Duke #2                        12/1

Kansas #1                     12/1

Michigan State #3          14/1

Arizona #6                     18/1

Syracuse #4                  20/1

Oregon #12                   33/1

Marquette #3                 40/1

Wichita State #9            40/1

LaSalle #13                   66/1

Florida Gulf Coast #15    75/1

Odds to win the 2013 NCAA Midwest Region  

Louisville #1                   5/7

Duke #2                        11/4

Michigan State #3          7/2

Oregon #12                   9/1

Odds to win the 2013 NCAAB West Region     

Ohio State #2                1/1

Arizona #6                     2/1

Wichita State #9            13/4

LaSalle #13                   9/1

Odds to win the 2013 NCAAB South Region    

Kansas #1                     5/2

Florida #3                      4/5

Michigan #4                   5/2

Florida Gulf Coast #15    15/1

Odds to win the 2013 NCAAB East Region      

Indiana #1                     1/1

Miami Florida #2            2/1

Syracuse #4                  15/4

Marquette #3                 7/1

Who will win the NCAAB Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player? 

Russ Smith (Louisville)               5/1

Victor Oladipo (Indiana)              6/1

Cody Zeller (Indiana)                   8/1

Peyton Siva (Louisville)               8/1

Aaron Craft (Ohio State)             9/1

Deshaun Thompson (Ohio State) 9/1

Shane Larkin (Miami Florida)       10/1

Jeff Withey (Kansas)                  15/1

Seth Curry (Duke)                      12/1

Travis Releford (Kansas)             20/1

Erik Murphy (Florida)                  18/1

Mason Plumlee (Duke)               25/1

Gary Harris (Michigan State)       25/1

Derrick Nix (Michingan State)      25/1

C.J. Fair (Syracuse)                   35/1

Mark Lyons (Arizona)                 35/1

James Sutherland (Syracuse)     35/1

Vander Blue (Marquette)             80/1

Daymeon Dotson (Oregon)          80/1

Ramone Galloway (Lasalle)         125/1

Sherman Brown (Florida Gulf Coast)125/1

Field                                         10/1

Will a #1 Seed win the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament?              

Yes                  -110

No                    -130

Will a #2 Seed win the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament?              

Yes                  +250

No                    -400

Will a #3 Seed win the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament?              

Yes                  +200

No                    -300