World Series of Poker Europe
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The World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) is the first expansion effort of World Series of Poker-branded poker tournaments outside of the United States. Since 1970, the bracelet events have occurred every year in Las Vegas. The inaugural WSOPE, held in 2007, marked the first time that a WSOP bracelet was awarded outside of Las Vegas.[1] The World Series of Poker Europe has a unique identity from the Las Vegas WSOP, but according to Harrah's will remain true to the traditions and heritage.[1]
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[edit] History
In 2004, Harrah's Casinos purchased the rights to the WSOP label. Harrah's later purchased London Club International (LCI). LCI operates three casinos in the London area - Fifty, Leicester Square, and The Sportsman. With the purchase of these casinos Harrah's decided to expand its WSOP label into Europe.[2]
European casinos typically have a different environment than those in the United States. Jeffrey Pollack, the WSOP Commissioner, indicated that the WSOPE would have a "style and flair that is both unique and appropriate to the setting. So don't be surprised if we require participants to wear blazers at the tables. If James Bond were hosting a poker tournament it may look like the World Series of Poker Europe."[2]
The WSOPE will be entering a crowded field as many major poker tournaments are already established in Europe. Pollack, however, believes that brand recognition of the WSOP and that the "WSOP bracelet is the most recognized poker hardware globally will allow the WSOPE to quickly catch up."[3]
The WSOP, however, isn't relying upon its reputation alone. On July 5, 2007 Harrah's announced an alliance with Betfair, one of the largest online gaming companies in the world located in England. The agreement, the largest-ever union of an online and offline gaming company, is intended to play on Betfair's European reputation in advertising the WSOPE.[4]
In 2007, U.S. laws prevented the WSOP from accepting money from online gambling companies. This prevented the WSOP from acknowledging WSOP qualifiers from online events. The WSOPE will not be bound by this limitation. The U.K. Gambling Act of 2005, which goes into effect in September, will allow for legal regulated online poker sites.[3] As the laws governing the age of gambling differ in England than the U.S. The WSOPE admitted younger players. One of these younger players, 18 year old Annette "Annette_15" Obrestad became the youngest player to ever make it to win a WSOP bracelet event.
[edit] Events
The first WSOPE consisted of three events. All three events took place at LCI's newest casino, The Casino at Leicester Square which opened in April 2007. The £10,000 main event, however, began in the three casinos and consolidated on September 13, 2007 at Leicester Square.
| Event Number |
Event | Winner | Prize | Runner-up | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £2,500 World Championship H.O.R.S.E. | Thomas Bihl | £70,875 | Jennifer Harman | Results |
| 2 | £5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha | Dario Alioto | £234,390 | Istvan Novak | Results |
| 3 | £10,000 No-Limit Texas Hold'em Championship | Annette Obrestad | £1,000,000 | John Tabatabai | Results |
[edit] Future expansion
While no definitive plans have been announced, Pollack has indicated that in then next one to three years that other venues may start holding WSOP events.[2] Two locations that have been mentioned as possible expansion sites are Egypt and South Africa because Harrah's owns casinos in those two locations.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Harrah's Set to Launch World Series of Poker Europe Feb 27, 2007. Gaming Business Accessed 7/25/07
- ^ a b c Warner, Eric. Stay classy, London: Jeffrey Pollack on the World Series of Poker Europe Feb 27, 2007. Pokerlisting.com Accessed 7/25/07
- ^ a b World Series of Poker (WSOP) Comes to Europe This Fall February 27, 2007. Pokerpages.com. Accessed 7/25/07
- ^ Harrah's Selects Betfair.com as 'Presenting Sponsor' of World Series of Poker Europe July 5, 2007. PRWeb.com Accessed 7/25/07
- ^ Bambach, Mike.World Series of Poker ups the ante, expands event to Europe 6-28-07. USA Today. Accessed 7/25/07
[edit] External links
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