With all tournament tables filled to capacity, the WSOP Europe has started with a bang, with Event #1, $£2,650 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold’em’s seats selling out immediately.
Yes, the Empire Casino in London’s Leicester Square was bustling as WSOPE hopefuls congregated to try and score one of the 204 seats available. To accommodate those left over, WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel allowed registration for alternates to enter the field when players busted. By the time registration closed a total of 244 players had entered the event, upping the top prize to ₤170,802.
The first day of play saw poker pro Phil Ivey at the top of the chip count early in the day, but then busting near the day’s end, which saw 10 levels of play. Other big names in poker eliminated include Michael Mizrachi, Chris Ferguson, Annette Obrestad, Vanessa Rousso, Erik Seidel, Tom “Durr” Dwan, Jennifer Tilly and Mike “The Mouth” Matusow. Those who survived include Unabomber Phil Laak, EPT San Remo champion Liv Boeree, Andrew “luckychewy” Lichtenberger, Javed Abrahams and David Peters.
Returning for Day 2 as the reigning chip leader is Andrew Pantling who hails from from Ontario, Canada, with 106,100 in chips. Pantling is known for his victory at the European Poker Tour Grand Final in Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em last May, though he has never cashed in a WSOP event. Chris Bjorin trails close behind with 103,800 and if he cashes, he will have the most WSOPE cashes of anyone in history with five. With 31 players remaining, Day 2 will be a big one for those returning, as the top 24 will cash while seven will go home empty-handed.
Event #2, £5,250 Pot-Limit Omaha, will begin on Thursday at noon and excitement is brewing for the upcoming £1,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament, which kicks off on Friday and is projected to be the biggest WSOP Europe tournament in history. The £10,000 Not Limit Hold “em Heads-Up tournament runs from Tuesday, September 21st through Thursday, September 23rd and finally, the £10,000 No Limit Hold ‘Em Main Event begins Thursday, September 23rd through Tuesday, September 27th.
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I really hope that the WSOPE is aired on US tv. I really want to see these grat players go for the title.