Let the wheels spin, the dice roll and the ballots be cast as bookies and bettors are weighing the odds that a pontiff could pay off in their favor.
At age 71, Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan, pays 3 to 1 odds, which is considered similar to Benedict XVI, but more progressive, with gains in popularity on immigration rights and outreach to the Muslim world.
For 78-year-old Italian Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, it's 6 to 1 odds.
Four of the top six contenders are Italian, which for many isn't a surprise. Since 1552, only Benedict XVI and John Paul II were the only popes who weren't of Italian descent.
Cardinal Marc Oullet is 6 to 1 odds. The 68-year-old from Canada, who acts as the Vatican's top staff director, is considered to be in the running.
At 5 to 2 odds, 64-year-old Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana might not pay off big for bettors, but for Catholics who are looking for a change, he might be a good fit.
Cardinal Turkson came to prominence leading the Vatican's justice and peace office. As the church grows in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, Cardinal Turkson represents new world growth.
Depending on the bookie, you can bet on name, age country and more. Ireland's "Paddy Power" is actually taking bets on 90 candidates.
With a total of 115 electable cardinals, you have to believe there are some long shots.
Paying 50 to 1 odds, Cardinal Claudio Hummes of Brazil and at 10 to 1 or 25 to 1, Cardinal Timothy Dolan has a chance. But remember, an American has never been elected as pope.
Betting on a new pope is big business in some parts of the world, but if you're thinking you'll put your money on picking one in the U.S., think again. Just like there's no cashing in on the commander in chief, there are no pay offs on picking the pontiff.
Of course, we're not encouraging gambling and we're not trying to make light of the process, but we did want to show you one thing that's going on in the background of all of the activity in Vatican City.
