News

Europe will take on Americas at WSOP Europe Presented by Betfair

The best poker players from Europe and the Americas are set to battle it out at this year’s World Series of Poker Europe, in the Caesars Cup, a unique Ryder Cup-style poker tournament that pits teams of the best players from both sides of the Atlantic against each other.

The Caesars Cup is a made-for-television special that will air on ESPN-branded channels around the globe and syndicated in markets without ESPN affiliates as part of televised 2009 WSOPE coverage.

Pride, bragging rights and claiming the inaugural Caesars Cup are all up for grabs at the event.  It will be included in this year’s World Series of Poker Europe Presented by Betfair taking place at the Casino at the Empire in famed Leicester Square from September 17 to October 2.  The unique event will be played on September 25th, with the tournament being fought out on the feature table area of the main casino floor.

“What better way to showcase poker at the WSOPE than to pitch the elite poker players from both Europe and the Americas against each other,” said Betfair Director of Poker Bruce Stubbs.  “We all know that poker is a highly competitive game but with pride, bragging rights and the cup at stake, this promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s poker calendar.”

The Caesars Cup will feature the game No-Limit Hold’em with two teams of eight doing battle over a series of Heads Up and partner formats, with points awarded at each stage. The unique formats will include alternate betting and other non-traditional elements as players aim to win points for their respective teams.

Each team will feature eight top players, with the Americas team captained by poker professional Daniel Negreanu and the Europeans skippered by Betfair-sponsored sensation Annette Obrestad.  Both Negreanu and Obrestad will be responsible for selecting six additional team members each of whom will do battle alongside them to determine whether the Americas or Europeans is home to the best tournament poker players.

One lucky player will also be able to qualify for the European Team exclusively through Betfair Poker. From June through to August Betfair players will be able to take part in the Caesars Cup leader boards, with the winner to be featured in the live television showdown in London.

“Nothing brings out competition like representing your country,” said World Series of Poker Vice President Ty Stewart.  “This continent versus continent format will draw the biggest names in poker to see who will lay claim to the inaugural Caesars Cup.”

Betfair and the World Series of Poker Europe are proud to introduce such a unique and exciting event. And with one seat on the European team up for grabs to a qualifier, Betfair Poker is the place to play to test yourself against the best and win your way into this unique televised event.

To vote for who you think should represent the Americas and/or Europe and for the chance to qualify for the European Team please visit www.wsope.betfair.com