Poker history is made as we speak and the world of poker delivers a huge amount of daily news items.  Many governments all over the world classified poker as a game of chance and therefor equal to gambling.  Poker players are currently walking the long road to freedom.  Freedom to play the magnificent game and for freedom of choice.  The Poker Players Alliance is one of the organizations that are spearheading these efforts for all of us.  Jim Tabilio, the previous president of Poker Voters of America said “We play poker.  And we vote.  Never let the politicians forget that.”  Despite the several efforts in the US to prevent players from playing online, recent research still shows that the US remain the top online poker market.  There are some positive moves by certain states like California, to legalise poker.  Celebrity poker players are also making news every day and all over the world.  Follow the lastest happenings and all newsworthy items.  Keep track of the happenings around the big international tournaments like the WSOP and others.  Looking for an online poker room to hone your skills and improve with lots of practice that need not cost you an arm and a leg?  Keep track of the latest great offers at PokerTime.

The latest happenings in the world of poker from newsworthy happenings at the WSOP, the WPT and other international tournaments and legal matters

WORLD SERIES OF POKER (WSOPE) 2009

WSOPE

The World Series of Poker is certainly not limited to the Las Vegas edition, as fittingly so, Europe has their own series in which the pros can participate.  The WSOPE is the first expansion effort of WSOP branded tournaments outside of Vegas and is quickly becoming a player favourite.  Although circuit events were held in other locations over time, the main tournaments which awarded the coveted bracelets to the winners were exclusively held in Las Vegas.  The inaugural WSOPE, held in 2007, marked the first time that a WSOP bracelet was awarded outside of Las Vegas.  Since its inception, players from six countries – Denmark (2), Afghanistan, Germany, Italy, Norway and USA – have won bracelets.  The host country, England has to date, not yet won the coveted bracelet.

In both 2007 and 2008 there were 362 entrants.  In 2007 Annette Obrestad won £1,000,000 with a pair of 7’s against John Tabatabai’s 5 and 6.  In 2008 John Juanda won £868,800 with a K,6 off-suit against Stanislav Alekhin’s A,9 off-suit.

Participants in the 2009 event will bear witness to the awarding of the first ever Caesars Cup.  This tournament pits the US against Europe in a battle for poker supremacy.  Daniel Negreanu (winner of 4 WSOP bracelets)  will captain the squad from the United States and Annette Obrestad who won the first ever WSOPE in 2007 at the age of 18, will captain the European side.  Each team will consist of 8 players

Beginning Thursday, September 17th, 2009 to October the 1st, players from around the world will be meeting in London to try their hands at glory.  The venue for the event is at the Casino at the Empire in London.  Because the size of casinos in England are smaller than those in Las Vegas, the number of participants at the WSOPE is limited.  The results in a field where more pros and less amateurs are participating.  Another interesting aspect is that the style and flair of the series is both unique and appropriate to the setting.  For example, many participants may wear blazers at the tables;  in fact it may even be a requirement.

It will consist of 4 bracelet events namely a £1,000 No-Limit Hold’em, a £2,500 Pot Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha, a £5,000 Pot Limit Omaha and a £10,000 World Championship No-Limit Hold’em “Main Event” as well as two additional special events.    On the 25th of September, a special event will take place.  The invitation only one day tournament, the Caesars Cup. Europe vs. America is the theme, and the best of both worlds will meet to test their mettle against one another, as well as one invitational online qualifier from Betfair.

The first event will be a $1,000,000 dollar freeroll. This tournament will feature the top eighteen qualifiers from Betfair’s poker room. This will be the first event in what promises to be an exciting series. The second day will kick off the first open event, which is a No Limit Hold ‘em tournament with a £1,000 buy-in. The events run fairly normal until the “fourth” event, which takes place Friday, the 25th.

The Main Event will take place on September 26th, and will be a £10,000 buy-in No limit Texas Hold ‘em main event. This is the longest event, expected to run six days, and should match the WSOP’s American Main Event in excitement, if not in magnitude.