World Series of Poker (WSOP) Comes to Europe This Fall

Harrah's Entertainment announced earlier this week that it is launching the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Europe this fall. This represents the first time ever that WSOP bracelets will be awarded at events outside of Las Vegas.

WSOP Europe events will be held at London Club International (LCI) casinos at different locations in the U.K. Three events during one poker series have been scheduled so far, and more are forthcoming.

The first WSOP Europe series will debut in London September 6-16, 2007. The WSOP Europe Main Event will be a six day 10,000 pound (USD $19,650 or 14,870 Euros) No-Limit Texas Hold'Em Championship. It will begin September 10 at LCI's Leicester Square, The Sportsman and Fifty. The playing field will be consolidated beginning September 13 at Leicester Square.

In his announcement, Jeffrey Pollack, World Series of Poker Commissioner said, "The World Series of Poker Europe will have a unique identity, style and flair, but will remain true to the 38-year tradition and heritage of the WSOP."

He added, "This new tournament has been designed with European players in mind, but registrants from every country are welcome. We hope it becomes an annual tradition for poker enthusiasts and a home for WSOP fans after the action concludes in Las Vegas each summer."

Pollack was quoted by CardPlayer as saying that as soon as he heard Harrah's was to buy LCI, he began working on how to bring the WSOP to Europe. He is aware that they are late into the tournament circuit in Europe. But he feels between his outstanding WSOP Europe Team, the brand recognition of the WSOP, and the fact that the WSOP bracelet is the most recognizable poker hardware globally will allow them to quickly catch up.

To make these tournaments uniquely European, Harrah's is debating whether to introduce a dress code, which is standard across many European casinos. For example, male poker players could be asked to wear blazers.

Harrah's shared that they are also debating whether to make the first few WSOP Europe events exclusive to only European players to make a splash in an already crowded European poker tourney scene, in their comments to CardPlayer. No decision been made on either of these proposals.

"We are honored to host this unique extension of the world's richest and oldest poker tournament," said Bill Timmins, chief executive officer of London Clubs International.

He added, "As the exclusive offline satellite host, LCI will enable players to compete in our poker rooms in London, Manchester, Nottingham, Southend and Brighton for a seat in every WSOP Europe event."

Online qualifiers are a slightly different story.

Harrah's is now prevented by the U.S. from directly acknowledging WSOP qualifiers from online poker sites. Many poker analysts feared this will slash 2007 WSOP attendance, since half to two thirds of the 8,773 players who entered the 2006 WSOP main event were online qualifiers (no official percentage has ever been confirmed).

But the U.K. Gambling Act of 2005, which goes into effect September 2007, will legally license and regulate online poker sites. So qualifying online to a WSOP Europe event would be no problem.

Pollack would only say "stay tuned" when asked whether Harrah's has plans to build an online site or to partner with existing online poker sites to provide WSOP satellites.

Beginning May 1, 2007 further details about structures, payout percentages and satellite dates and times for the WSOP Europe tournaments will be available on the World Series of Poker website (click here to visit it).

Since Harrah's reserves the right to cancel, change or modify the tournament or any tournament event, be sure to regularly check back on PokerPages Tournament Schedule page to keep up to date (click here to see WSOP Europe Schedule).

More Poker News Articles

Local Businessman Bags European Poker Tour Vilamoura Bling
12am Sun Nov 22nd, 2009

The European Poker Tour rolled into the Casino Vilamoura last week, instantly generating the richest poker prize pool in the nation of Portugal's history.

Keikoan Captures Harvey's Lake Tahoe WSOPC Championship
12am Thu Nov 19th, 2009

This week marked the finale of the biggest annual tournament series in Northern Nevada, the WSOP Circuit championship at Harvey's Lake Tahoe. While the Main Event saw only a modest turnout, it did boast of a tough final table, and a WSOP bracelet owner as the eventual champion.

WSOP Main Event Champ Joe Cada to Appear on Letterman
12am Wed Nov 18th, 2009

The poker world will receive some late night attention tonight as "The Kid" Joe Cada, the youngest champion in the four decade history of the World Series of Poker Main Event, takes a seat next to embattled talk show host David Letterman.

First Korean Champ of Asia Pacific Poker Tour Crowned in Cebu
12am Tue Nov 17th, 2009

Another stop on the Asia Pacific Poker Tour is in the books, this time it's the APPT Cebu in the Philippines, and for the very first time a Korean player has come out on top.

Pollack Done as Commish of World Series of Poker
12am Sat Nov 14th, 2009

Just three days after crowning Joe Cada as the 2009 Main Event champion, officially closing the special 40th anniversary run of the World Series of Poker, Jeffrey Pollack has resigned his post as Commissioner of the WSOP.

Durrrr Signs as Team Full Tilt's Youngest Member
12am Wed Nov 11th, 2009

Tom "durrrr" Dwan is the newest member of Team Full Tilt, the online site's highest level of affiliation. At 23, Dwan is the youngest of the now 14-person team. The high stakes cash phenomenon was nominated for induction this year into the Poker Hall of Fame until the Hall of Fame Governing Council decided he was too young to meet the "has stood the test of time" qualification.

Joe Cada Becomes Youngest World Series of Poker Main Event Champ
12am Tue Nov 10th, 2009

History was made early Tuesday morning in Las Vegas as 21-year-old Joe Cada outlasted Darvin Moon in heads-up play to claim the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event bracelet and more than $8.5 million.

Moon and Cada Heads-Up, Ivey 7th at WSOP Main Event Final Table
12am Sun Nov 8th, 2009

After a marathon session at the most esteemed table in the poker world, a 21-year-old and a logger are set to go one-on-one for the World Series of Poker Main Event bracelet.

PokerStars Launches New UK and Ireland Poker Tour
12am Wed Nov 4th, 2009

PokerStars.com has announced the start of a new poker tour with stops throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. The UK and Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT) will kick off in Galway, Ireland in mid-December, and the first event in the UK will be held in Manchester in February.

Peerless Media Agrees to Purchase World Poker Tour Enterprises
12am Mon Nov 2nd, 2009

According to a Monday press release, WPT Enterprises Inc., mothership of the World Poker Tour, is now the rightful property of Peerless Media, Ltd., subsidiary of online giant PartyGaming.