The Odds July/August 2004 ATLANTIC MAGAZINE

Saddam’s Fate

By Marshall Poe

Since his capture, last December, Saddam Hussein has been held by the U.S. military. He is no doubt wondering about his eventual fate, and so are others. BetonSports.com, a UK bookmaker, is offering numerous bets on what will befall the "Butcher of Baghdad" by December 31, 2004. Here is some of the recent action.

3 to 2: will be sentenced to life in prison

2 to 1: will be sentenced to death

2 to 1: will sign a deal with the United States to reveal Osama bin Laden's whereabouts

3 to 1: will be murdered

4 to 1: will be sent to Guantánamo

5 to 1: will commit suicide

20 to 1: will escape prison

20 to 1: will correspond with Michael Jackson

30 to 1: will convert to Christianity and give a testimonial on The 700 Club

150 to 1: will be found innocent

150 to 1: will run for President of Iraq

150 to 1: will come out of the closet