News

 
This year will unquestionably be the largest WSOP Europe ever.  The seven combined gold bracelet events being played at the Hotel Majestic Barriere on the French Riviera will likely double the overall numbers from the highest previous turnout in London.  Through the first six gold bracelet tournaments which have finalized attendance tallies, 2,033 players from more than three dozen different countries have played events in Cannes, so far.  The Main Event Championship began today, which is expected to add several hundred more players to the overall number.
 
See LIVE UPDATES of 2011 WSOP Europe Main Event Championship, including chip counts, here.
 
The big turnout at Cannes mirrors the stunning news back in the United States at the latest WSOP Circuit event, now being held at the Horseshoe Hammond Casino, near Chicago.  The first tournament there attracted a whopping 3,001 entrants – which nearly doubled the previous high mark of Circuit tournaments.  In fact, the huge turnout in Chicago was the biggest poker event in the eight-year history of the WSOP Circuit and is believed to be the largest poker tournament ever held outside of the WSOP, played in Las Vegas.
 
Speaking of Las Vegas, this year’s WSOP was a record breaker.  The 58 gold bracelet events played during the summer attracted the largest overall turnout in history.  Furthermore, between the WSOP (Las Vegas) and WSOP Europe (Cannes), the combined prize money awarded in all gold bracelet events this year will exceed $200 million for the first time – another record.
 
Back in Cannes -- Saturday promises to be the busiest day in WSOP Europe history.  Two final tables will be completed – including the No-Limit Hold’em-Split Format (Event #5) and the Six-Handed Pot-Limit Omaha (Event #6).  Furthermore, the first of two starting days of the Main Event Championship is now underway.  Day 1-A registration is already at more than 300 players.  Day 1-B will be played Sunday.  Players may come and register as late at 8 pm (Sunday night) and have the chance to win the last gold bracelet of the year, other than the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas.
 
All the action can be followed at WSOP.com.  Live streaming final table coverage can be seen as well as live updates for all three tournaments still being played.
 
Coverage of WSOP Europe continues through Thursday, 20 October when the new Main Event Champion will be determined.  The finale will be televised and shown later all over the world on ESPN and other networks.