Samir Patel: Fantasy Spelling Bee stud!

And with the first pick in this year's Spelling Bee draft, we select .... Samir Patel! The Colleyville wunderkind, who won the regional bee today, will be headed to the big show for one last hurrah May 30-31. The National Spelling Bee will be televised on ESPN2, so why shouldn't there be a fantasy league to go along with it?

We found a 2005 mock draft. Guess who was the No. 1 pick? And if, by chance, you get into a fantasy bee league, here are a few pointers from the freaks at Pinnacle Sportsbook, who will take your money on any number of betting opportunities.

You can bet on whether the winner will be male or female. Last year, the odds were: Male -- 5/7; Female -- 5/4 (Last year, Katharine Close won on Ursprache.) You can also bet on whether the winner will be home-schooled (Samir) and whether he or she will be wearing glasses (not Samir).

The big question: Can Samir shake off the memory of last year's early exit, cratering on an easy word like eremacausis in the seventh round? Consider that while making your first-round pick. Good luck in the draft.