The Latest Poker Event News ( August 27, 2017 )

High-Stakes Poker Community Strikes Big on Floyd Mayweather Fight

While Flight 1b of the World Poker Tour Legends was taking place at The Bicycle Casino on Saturday, several high-stakes poker pros, including some former WPT champions, were at the Bike Brewery enjoying a free viewing party to see what many have called the fight of the century: the "Money Fight" between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor.

In an unprecedented match, undefeated boxing great Mayweather came out of retirement to take on UFC phenom McGregor at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While Mayweather began as a heavy betting favorite with odds reported at -2250 in November of last year (bet $2,250 to win $100), Mayweather's odds got down to around -375 (bet $375 to win $100) just moments before the fight. While the majority of the money was being placed on Mayweather, by far more bets, albeit smaller ones, were being wagered on the entertaining Irish UFC champion.

A few familiar faces from the WPT family shared their picks on the fight during the viewing event at The Bike, and needless to say, as people entrenched in the poker community, the money was on the favorite.
Poker Pros Go for Mayweather

Kristy Arnett was pulling hard for Mayweather, but she was a bit biased. Her husband, professional poker player Andrew Moreno, placed a bet on Mayweather that represented 50 times his previous largest sports bet. In all fairness, his previous biggest bet was for $100, but still, it’s a sizable gamble.

After convincing Arnett to support the bet, Moreno said, “It would be really good for my relationship if Mayweather wins.”

When asked what prompted him to go for it, Moreno responded, “Well the entire poker community… we’re all gamblers at heart, and I think most of us see a plus EV situation—“

“It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about piling all the money in at like an 80% favorite."

“Don’t blame this on the poker community,” Arnett jokingly interrupted.

Moreno continued, “It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about piling all the money in at like an 80% favorite. That’s all I can do. The rest is up to the poker gods, or, the judges.”

Arnett ultimately supported the bet and admitted, “I’m still nervous though.”

When asked if he was nervous, Moreno said with confidence that he really wasn’t. He compared it to when he puts the money in when he feels that it is the correct play in a poker hand.

“I know I’m not always going to win. That’s just how my mind works now.” He added, “And I have a consolation prize of watching Mayweather lose, if that happens, which is definitely worth $5,000.”

WPT Commentator Tony Dunst echoed the sentiments of Moreno. Dunst put in a hefty bet, and despite the line moving quite a bit before the fight, making McGregor less of an underdog, Dunst still felt good about it.