WSOPE Schedule Announced

press release
Submitted by: snoopy on Fri, 04/07/2008 - 12:39pm

The second annual World Series of Poker Europe presented by Betfair.com has solidified its tournament schedule, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., owner and operator of the world's most prestigious poker tournaments announced today. The 2008 World Series of Poker Europe Presented by Betfair.com (the WSOPE) will feature four bracelet tournaments, including a new addition, the £1,500 No-Limit Hold'em event that will open the tournament. The complete event schedule is as follows:

Fri Sep 19th -- Event #1: £1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Day 1A (3-day event/2 opening days)

Mon Sep 22nd --  Event #2: £2,500 H.O.R.S.E. (3-day event)

Wed Sep 24th -- Event #3: £5,000 Pot Limit Omaha (3-day event)

Sat Sep 27th --  Event #4: £10,000 World Championship No-Limit Hold'em (5-day event/two opening days)

The WSOPE will be held from September 19th to October 2nd, 2008 in London, England.  This year's tournament will again be hosted by London Clubs International (LCI) at their London locations. Players can pre-register for the WSOPE at any LCI venue in the UK and all Harrah's venues in Las Vegas. Alternatively they can try and qualify online exclusively at Betfair Poker. www.betfairpoker.com

For the first time, and subject to the execution of a definitive agreement, ESPN, the exclusive World Series of Poker telecaster, is scheduled to air eight original hours of coverage of the World Series of Poker Europe in the United States and distribute the tournament globally. ESPN360.com, ESPN's signature broadband sports network, is scheduled to provide live coverage in the U.S., Europe, Mexico and Brazil.

"We have enhanced the schedule to build on our initial success and provide a richer experience for players," said World Series of Poker Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack. "If this year's World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas is any indication, the level of tournament play is increasing worldwide and we expect the second annual WSOPE to be hotly contested."

During the WSOP in Las Vegas, players can pre-register for WSOP Europe at the tournament cage as well as lock in poker player hotel rates via www.worldseriesofpoker.com. In addition, $1,570 Mega Satellites for the WSOP Europe Main Event will be held July 10th and 11th at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.

"We are extremely excited to be working alongside Harrah's and the World Series of Poker brand for a second year, said Betfair.com CEO David Yu. "Betfair Poker is now the only place players can qualify online for the tournament – this exclusivity shows how confident we are that WSOPE 2008 will be even bigger and better than before."

"London Clubs offers five unique casino experiences in the heart of London including The Rendezvous, The Casino at the Empire (in the world famous Leicester Square), The Sportsman, Fifty and the Golden Nugget," said Michael Silberling, COO, London Clubs International. "We look forward to hosting the second annual WSOP Europe."

WSOPE in London complements the WSOP held annually in Las Vegas.  The inaugural 2007 event featured 623 entrants compete for £1,305,215 over three tournaments including the Main Event that saw Norway's Annette Obrestad best a field that included Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth and Johnny Chan to win the largest amount ever for a female, £1 million – or U.S. $2,013,102.