[Grammar] Though, Even Though

[thaine]

I have a question about some punctuation for 'though' and 'even though':

"He applied to Havard (,) even though he had no chance of admission."
"He applied to Havard (,) though he had no chance of admission."

I think that comma is optional before 'even though', but is mandatory before 'though'. Am I wrong?

 

[bhaisahab]

I have a question about some punctuation for 'though' and 'even though':

"He applied to Havard (,) even though he had no chance of admission."
"He applied to Havard (,) though he had no chance of admission."

I think that comma is optional before 'even though', but is mandatory before 'though'. Am I wrong?

I don't find the second one very natural.