World Series of Poker players put spice, confidence in side pots

LAS VEGAS - It takes plenty of confidence and oodles of cash just to play in the World Series of Poker main event, but the world’s best rounders are making things even spicier by raising the stakes against one another.

Gold bracelets command respect for winners of series events, but big-time poker pros Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey added an extra $200,000 incentive for each other to win one or more of the 55 events this year, Negreanu said.

Negreanu’s limit Texas Hold ‘em win earlier this month got him $204,874 in prize money, but his bet with Ivey has nearly doubled that. Ivey can even the score if he wins the main event, a no-limit Texas Hold ‘em tournament that will mean millions of dollars for the winner and certain poker fame.