Weekend Wrap-Up-World Series of Poker Edition-Monday Night Football Prediction

We usually start with the football weekend, but I have to start off with a quasi non-sports story.

The World Series of Poker held their final table for the Main Event on Saturday night. Now called the "November Nine", you would think that this is where you would find the best skill level involved in the game.

No chance of that.

Long story short, the two players that made the worst moves on the table for 18+ hours, were rewarded by going against one another tonight Heads-Up for the bracelet. Darvin Moon and Joe Cada both literally sucked out and got gifts put into their laps to advance for the multi-million dollar first prize, and immortal fame in the poker world.

Cada, who could wind up being the youngest person to win the Main Event, two times played a hand over-aggressive Pre-Flop, had his tourney on the line against an overpair, and hit his own set. That right there is roughly 60-1 to happen. He also got a gift, from Moon.

Moon, who obviously is the ultimate "dead money" player to ever hit the Final Table, somehow survived in a tourney that is mostly skill and some luck. Well, Moon proved that it can be mostly luck and no skill. Moon's play had most pros shaking their heads, and even got Phil Gordon to say about one of Moon's hands as, "That was a gift.", and others whispering "That's about the worst play I've ever seen".(BTW, excellent coverage by the ESPN.com guys on the blog for the final table.)

Poker hit the mainstream a few years back when a string of ameteurs started to win the Main Event, starting with Robert Varkonyi, and of course, Chris Moneymaker. This is the first year that the WSOP could of really hit a higher level of popularity, if Phil Ivey (The Tiger Woods of poker), was at least heads up in the event or even won it all. It has been awhile since a top pro won it all, and would of given Poker a real superstar, excluding Phil Hellmuth of course, who is the best self-promoter since Muhammad Ali.

Prediction for the Heads-Up? Well, Cada does know how to play the game. He just sometimes is way over-aggressive, which is a trait most online players have. That will also be his major advantage over Moon one on one. Cada also has the chip lead. Barring a meltdown by Cada, I cannot see Moon beating the 21 year old kid on skill alone.

Cada the winner of the bracelet, breaking Peter Eastgate's record from last year.

Monday Night Football Prediction:

I will give the full Weekend Wrapup late tonight, but I had to give the game tonight. Should be a smashmouth game. Both defenses are top 5, and can expose the other offenses weaknesses.

The Steelers should give a healthy dose of Rashard Mendenhall tonight, and make Kyle Orton play from behind.

Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Denver Broncos 13