The fourth European instalment of the World Series of Poker kicked off in London at the Casino at the Empire yesterday. The tournament lasts from 14th to 28th September and consists of five events: a £2,500+£150 6-max NLHE (14th-16th Sept), a £5,000+£250 PLO (16th-18th Sept), a £1,000+£75 NLHE (17th-21st Sept), a £10,000+£350 NLHE High Roller Heads-Up (21st-23rd Sept) and the £10,000+£350 NLHE Main Event (23rd-28th Sept).
The first event began yesterday with 244 entrants, 31 of whom return today to make it to the 6-handed final table (the first 24 places pay). Those still in the event include Chris Moorman (94,200), Phil Laak (63,600) and Liv Boeree (27,700); the field is currently led by Andrew Pantling (106,100). Poker pros like Vanessa Rousso, Phil Ivey, Phil Hellmuth, Michael Mizrachi and Tom ‘durrrr’ Dwan also paid the buy-in for this first event but they have already been eliminated.
Two players may also earn a lot more than “just” the first prize for any of the events; should Tom Dwan or Phil Ivey (or both) win at least one bracelet, they are said to be eligible for millions of dollars due to their various side bets. Ivey, in particular, is rumoured to have made a $5 million bet with FTP head Howard Lederer. Well, since they are all the more after success, we are in for one wild tourney, I believe.
