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Copyright © 4 Toronto Sun

HEADLINE: That (British) Poker Dude

Body:
I’m getting back in the poker saddle this week, and I’m jumping right back in to the big time. Friday, I sit down to play for a WSOP bracelet, my first tournament event since the Main Event in Las Vegas this year. But this time, I won’t be in the familiar confines of the Rio. No, this one is the World Series of Poker Europe, and I’m currently sitting in my hotel overlooking Leicester Square in London England.

The WSOPE has come a long way in just three short years. With Betfair, a giant in the gambling industry here in England, as the title sponsor, this event has exploded into near legendary status in remarkably short time. Part of the reason for this is due to a simple logistics issue: since the host casino here, The Empire, doesn’t have the massive space available that the Rio boasts, the fields are capped, and that leads to a much higher pro-to-amateur ratio. And THAT leads to some spectacular final tables in the past couple of years. Last year saw a PLO final table of Howard Lederer, Jeffrey Lisandro, and Phil Ivey. The Main Event final table had John Juanda, Ivan Demidov, and Daniel Negreanu. Now THAT is some poker prowess.

There are just four events here in London, but all of them will bestow a WSOP bracelet upon the winner. What makes that interesting is that a certain Phillip Ivey may just be here trying to win another bracelet to potentially clinch his rumoured $5 million prop bet with Howard Lederer that Ivey can’t win one more bracelet between this year and next. Any event that has Ivey dialled in and playing hard is sure to be worthy of note. Sadly, I fear that Phil might just be playing in the same event I’m playing in starting Friday. Which is the poker equivalent of hearing that you just drew Roger Federer for your first round tennis match.

The WSOPE’s quick rise to respectability is due, obviously, in part to its affiliation with the WSOP. But it’s also gained its notoriety through some great story lines. The first year of the WSOPE, an 18-year-old girl named Annette Obrestaad captured the Main Event title. Last year, Russian Ivan Demidov managed to get to the final table of the Main Event of both the Vegas and the London editions, a feat which might be unequalled for a very long time.

What will this year’s story be? Another unknown making their name? Or a big showdown between a couple of famous pros? Personally, I’m hoping it’s the story of a poker journalist winning big. Of course, we tried that one in July. And it didn’t work out so well.... ah well, back in the game now.

I will deliver some extra columns from over here as I report on, and partake of, the action here in Jolly Ol’ England. But for right now, it’s time to turn on some Beatles and turn out the lights. Tomorrow, the poker takes centre stage....

NOTES: Shoot For a Cure is holding another great charity poker night at the Hockey Hall of Fame, with celebrities galore and the chance to hang out and play some poker right amongst the exhibits. For details, go to HYPERLINK "http://www.29sports.com/29/pdf/poker.pdf" www.29sports.com/29/pdf/poker.pdf

Also, coming up at the beginning of October, I will be participating in a fun and free poker event online at Betfair Poker called Poker Night in Canada. It’s a free online tournament, and the winner will get two tickets to a hockey game in the city of their choice, and whoever knocks me out of the tournament will also win two tickets. Watch this space for more info

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