World Series of Poker Final Table: UK Roots for Jon KalmarWhile most Brits are preparing to bet on the 2007 British Open Golf Tournament, the country is celebrating an appearance by one of its own, Jon Kalmar, at the final table of the 2007 World Series of Poker.
Kalmar, a former front for a punk rock band, has played mostly regional poker in clubs and pubs throughout Great Britain.
Now he stands to walk off with a cool $500,000 minimum depending on where he places Tuesday. 5 of the 9 finalists will also become instant millionaires.
Jon Kalmar's total WSOP & Circuit Earnings are at $91,950 so far.
Kalmar said he was "nearly broke" before the $10,000 buy-in main event began play July 6, but he plunked down $500 in a satellite tournament to win a seat.
"Otherwise, I was thinking of taking a very long break from the game," the former Internet technology manager said. "I was thinking of going back to work for a bit. Maybe not for a while yet."
Jon 'Skalie' Kalmar, from Chorley in Lancashire, will sit down at 12 noon Vegas time on 17 July to contest the biggest prize in poker. He had a fantastic Day 6, beginning on 2.6 million in chips before shifting throught the gears, and ending up on 20.3 million, reports Chris Marais of Inside Edge Magazine
He is now superbly positioned, in third place in chips, to have a real crack at taking down the big one, Marais writes. Not bad for a player who won his Main Event seat through a $500 super satellite in Las Vegas, the Sunday before the $10,000 World Championship event began.
If you love the World Series of Poker, you will love betting on these players to win. These odds are only available until prior to the start of the final play on Tuesday afternoon. We recommend opening an account prior to 12 pm Tuesday July 17 here.
Philip Hilm 7 to 2 odds
Tuan Lam 7 to 2 odds
Jon Kalmar 4 to 1 odds
Raymond Rahme 8 to 1 odds
Lee Childs 8 to 1 odds
Lee Watkinson 7 to 2 odds
Hevad "Rain" Khan 4 to 1 odds
Jerry Yang 9 to 1 odds
Alex Kravchenko 9 to 1 odds
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Ace King, Gambling911.com
Originally published July 17, 2007 9:45 am ET
