News

At 11am on the 6th September at the ‘Odeon West End’ Cinema, Leicester Square, The World Series of Poker Europe presented by Betfair.com will announce its launch at a press conference – and expect sparks to fly.

After an introduction from WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack and Betfair’s CEO David Yu, attendees will get a chance to view the coveted World Series of Poker Bracelets and have the opportunity to question two of the biggest names in worldwide poker.

World Series of Poker legend – and “poker brat” – Phil Hellmuth will face off against European poker superstar Dave “Devilfish” Ulliott at the press conference. And, with no love lost between these two competitive and opinionated individuals, fireworks can be expected.

The World Series of Poker, the planet’s most prestigious poker brand, is extending its international reach this year by launching in Europe. The inaugural WSOPE tournament, presented by Betfair.com, will debut in London from 6-16 September 2007, with an expected total prize pot for the Main Event in excess of £7 million.

It is an historic moment, being the first time the coveted WSOP bracelets have ever been awarded outside of Las Vegas. Previous World Series’ have seen Hollywood superstars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Tilley and Toby Maguire compete for the largest prize in poker.

The World Series of Poker Europe presented by Betfair.com begins with a three-day, £2,500 H.O.R.S.E tournament at The Casino at The Empire in Leicester Square. The Leicester Square casino will also be the host casino for a two-day, £5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event starting 8th September.

The tournament series will culminate in the Main Event starting 10th September, a seven-day, £10,000 No-Limit Texas Hold’em Championship. The expected starting field of 700+ players (according to Betfair’s betting market) will initially be split between three casinos - The Casino at The Empire in Leicester Square, The Sportsman at Marble Arch and Fifty in St James. The final stages of the tournament will take place at The Casino at the Empire from September 13th where play will continue for three more days until the coveted bracelet is won.

Dave “Devilfish” Ulliott is the highest-earning British poker player ever. His biggest tournament win to date is nearly $600,000, which he won over a four day period. At the poker table, he is known for wearing orange-tinted prescription sunglasses, a sharp suit (or leather jacket) and gold knuckleduster rings reading "Devil" and "Fish”.

Phil Hellmuth dropped out of university to pursue a career as a professional poker player and it has most certainly paid off. His total career tournament earnings exceed $7 million. He won his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 1989 and his record beating eleventh bracelet this year in Las Vegas.

Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson have ten bracelets each. Both players have confirmed they will be in London to try and win their eleventh bracelet and therefore join Hellmuth at the top in the record books.

Devilfish and Phil Hellmuth will be available for interviews after the press conference by request via contact details below.