Get Ready for the World Series of Poker Europe

Posted by Craig on September 18, 2008

Friday September the 19th the second annual World Series of Poker Europe will get underway. The first event will be a No Limit Holdem, it’s a no re-buy event with each player starting with 6000 in chips. This year there are some changes, namely that the event will be played under one roof. The Casino at the Empire will host all four events at the years World Series of Poker Europe. As in Vegas where all the events are played at the Rio, the hope is to start a tradition in London. For all the North American fans out there ESPN will be airing eight hours of coverage from the tournaments in London. An Event has been added this years, making four bracelets up for grabs. The biggest question coming into this years events is will someone from the other side of the pond be able to walk away with one of the coveted bracelets. Last year Europeans won all three events, and the all the Americans will try be to become the first to win a bracelet in Europe.

Last years winners will be trying to defend there titles and make history by becoming the first player to win two World Series of Poker Europe bracelets. Thomas Bihl won last years HORSE event when he beat Jennifer Harman heads up. Last year the HORSE final table was littered with poker superstars like Jennifer Harman, Chris “Jesus” Ferguson and Kirk Morrison, no doubt the event directors will be looking for a similar showing. You can expect the HORSE tournament to be full of poker greats again this year because it will be the hardest bracelet to win in my opinion. Last years Pot Limit Omaha event was won by Dario Alioto, he also managed to make a final table in Pot Limit Omaha at the World Series in Las Vegas this year. Omaha last year brought out some big names who made big cashes Tony G finished third and Roland De Wolfe had a respectable eleventh place finish.

Last years Main Event in Europe looked as if a familiar face may win his first World Series bracelet ever in Europe. Gus Hansen was cruising, but he busted out tenth, the favorite was gone and it was anybody’s tournament. Up and coming superstar Annette Obrestad, showed her potential by taking home her first bracelet. Annette showed the world her aggressive bluffing style and may just have won the biggest tournament by a women in poker history. No doubt Obrestad will show up at this years World Series looking to build on the success she found last year. There were a lot of big names players in the top thirty last year and the event organizers will be looking for much of the same. Last year Patrik Antonius finished 29th, Erik Lindgren finished 26th, Annie Duke is 21st and Kenny Tran almost made the final table finishing in 16th.

Predictions

Event #1 – No Limit Hold’ em – The North American pros will be geared up and put a lot effort in to trying to win this event. Look for some good showing by top names players like Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu and Erik Lindgren. I think the North Americans will have to wait as Annette Obrestad wins her second World Series of Poker bracelet. Annette will be looking to prove that she is here to stay and be the first player to win two World Series of Poker will do just that.

Event #2 – HORSE – In my opinion the HORSE event is the most intriguing event at every World Series of Poker. The big names always show up and you can be assured that they will be at the final table. Scotty Nguyen won the HORSE world championship in Las Vegas at the World Series and I think you will see a lot of the same names fighting for the win in Europe. Look for another good result from Erik Lindgren, he is a great all around player and is confident after his player of the year at the World Series in Vegas. The first American to win a World Series of Poker Europe will be Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, and it will come in this event.

Event #3 – Pot Limit Omaha – Omaha has become a big game in the poker world, probably fits right behind Texas Hold’ em on the popularity scale. Europeans tend to be well rounded Omaha players and I think they will come away with another bracelet in this tournament. Last years winner Dario Alioto will have a good showing again, but I think he will come up short as Roland De Wolfe takes home the bracelet. Roland is an excellent Omaha player and I think he finally has a big win in this event.

Event #4 – Main Event No Limit Hold’ em – The main event will be everybody’s main goal, all the top pro’s want to win this title. Last year a lot of big names had big showings at this tournament, but I think you will learn a few new ones this year. Jennifer Harman will have a good showing in this tournament and Patrik Antonius will make the final table. With the bitter taste of last years bubble finish Gus Hansen will redeem himself and win the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event. Gus will be motivated and he will grind out the victory for his first bracelet.

Well we all know predictions are just that, predictions. I think Annette Obrestad, Chris Ferguson, Roland De Wolfe and Gus Hansen win the four bracelets. Of course there is the chance amateur players show up and win some tournaments, but there is no way for me to pick them. I truly enjoyed last years World Series of Poker Europe and I look for the same entertainment value this year. It all gets started on Friday September the 19th and without a doubt someone’s dreams will come true.

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Filed Under: WSOP Europe

Tags: Annette Obrestad, Annie Duke, Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, Daniel Negreanu, Dario Alioto, Erik Lindgren, Gus Hansen, Holdem, Jennifer Harman, Kenny Tran, Kirk Morrison, Omaha, Patrik Antonius, Poker, Pot Limit Omaha, Roland De Wolfe, Thomas Bihl, Titan Poker, Titan Poker Bonus Code, Tony G, World Series of Poker Europe, WSOP

World Series of Poker Europe Starts September 19th

Posted by James on September 7, 2008

The World Series of Poker Europe kicks off in less than two weeks from the Empire Casino in Leicester Square in London, England. Last year was the first ever WSOP Europe and this year promises to be a fantastic event. The World Series of Poker Europe is a set of three bracelet events. The events are H.O.R.S.E, Pot Limit Omaha, and No-Limit Holdem.

Last years H.O.R.S.E. event drew 105 players and the final table was an all-star field. Joe Beevers, Alex Kravchenko, Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, Kirk Morrison, Jennifer Harman, and Thomas Bihl were all vying for the first ever WSOP-E bracelet. Jennifer Harman and Thomas Bihl faced each other heads up, and after a long heads up match, Thomas Bihl won the bracelet and £70,875 top prize.

165 players entered the Pot Limit Omaha Championship. The final table included pros Tony Guoga, Dario Alioto, and Andy Bloch. Dario Alioto emerged victorious and claimed the £234,390 top prize. This was a European record for a top prize in an Omaha event.

362 players entered the £10,000 buy-in No-Limit championship. It was apparent early on that there was a new rising star of poker in the field. Annette Obrestad skillfully navigated her way through the pro heavy field and made the final table of the event. She was only the third woman in the history of the World Series of Poker to make a main event final table. There was an additional reason her accomplishment was followed so intently by the world. She was 18 years old.

Obrestad masterfully navigated her way through the final table and in the end accomplished three feats. First, she was the first WSOP-E Main Event winner. Next, she was the first female to win a Main Event in World Series of Poker history. Finally, she is the youngest bracelet winner ever. One point I personally find amusing is the fact that although Obrestad is a Main Event Champion, she still will not be able to play at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas until she is 21.

In the end, the three events at the WSOP-E in 2007 were swept by Europeans. The 2008 WSOP-E promises to be just as historic and exciting. Unlike last year, this year’s event is held at only one location. Organizers hope that the central location will give the event greater exposure. The biggest names in the world will turn out for the event including Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Jennifer Harman, and Ted Forrest.

Personally, I predict a very strong showing by Americans in the H.O.R.S.E. event. Many H.O.R.S.E. events become showcases of overall poker talent. Pot-Limit Omaha will likely be dominated by Europeans once again. I have played in PLO tournaments that have been heavy with European players and I will attest that they are very tough Omaha players. One of my proudest moments in poker was a final table I made in PLO. The reason I was so proud was that the field was ½ European. The Main Event will likely be dominated by online players. While many pros don’t like to admit it, the internet players are beginning to dominate NL Holdem. Those that hone their skills online have a huge advantage over live players, and this field will be at least ½ full of online regulars. I don’t see Obrestad repeating as Main Event champion.

The WSOP-E begins on September 19th. During the WSOP-E, I will bring you news and updates regarding the biggest poker event in Europe.

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