1. WORLD SERIES OF POKER 2006 MAIN EVENT RIO CASINO, LAS VEGAS – JULY 28-AUG 10

8,000 players, 13 days, a potential $80m prize fund – this really is the Big One. Last year an unknown gunman rode into town in the form of Aussie Joe Hachem. Quietly and confidently he took down the big shots and left with $7.5m in cold hard cash. Who’s to say this year you can’t do the same or replicate Internet qualifiers Greg Raymer or Chris Moneymaker – 2004 and 2003 winners respectively – to scoop the main pot? Satellite qualifiers are under way at most of the big poker sites for just a few dollars.