The main event of the World Series of Poker is down to the final 21 or so players from an initial 8773. 1st place pays $12 million, not to mention all the marketing opportunites that will open up for the champ. The action has been fast and furious, reflecting the players still in. There are very few pros left, and though thedse online amatuers may be just as good at reading hands and such, they seem to be less catious. Personally I'd rather bide my time and wait for premium hands at this point, but they all seem to be going all in with pocket 6's and such. The only "names" left are Allen Cunningham, who has several bracelets and plenty of cred in the professional ranks, Jeffrey Lisandro, whom I know little about, and Prahlad Friedman, also known as Spirit Rock, and is often seen ripping up the biggest online cash games. If those three make it to the final table, watch for them to tear the other guys to pieces.

The guy with the most chips by far right now, Jamie Gold, is a former Hollywood superagent. Another guy with a lot of chips, David Einhorn, has pledged to give every cent he wins to the Parkin's Disease foundation that Michael J. Fox is involved with. That's a possible $12 million, and he's guaranteed at least half a million right now. Gotta give a guy props for that. I wonder how the tax implications work out. If you win $12 mil and donate it all immediately, do you still have to pay taxes on it? Wouldn't you just deduct the total amount from your taxable income, making it a wash? I'm very curious.