World Series of Poker Europe Begins Today in Cannes
The WSOPE is back, this time in the new home of Cannes. The location is not the only major change, in what could be the biggest WSOPE ever.
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| The new home of the WSOPE is enjoyed by A-listers and Movie Stars |
Bracelet fever is back, as the World Series of Poker Europe gets underway today. For the first time the WSOPE will take place in Cannes, France, at the Le Croisette Casino Barriere Cannes between October 7-20.
This is a brand new home for the WSOPE after four successful years at the Empire Casino in London.
Other than the change in location, the major difference this time is that there are seven bracelets on the line.
On top of last year's events, there is an additional PLO event, a No Limit shootout, and for the first time ever a split format event where day 1 is nine handed, day 2 is six max, and day 3 is heads-up.
There will also be a special ladies event (Non Bracelet) and the second incarnation of the Caesars Cup. Alongside these tournaments, there is a total of 51 other events to suit poker players of all bankrolls.
| WSOPE Schedule | ||
| Oct 7 Event #1 | Six Handed No Limit Hold'em | €2,680 |
| Oct 8 Event #2 | No Limit Hold'em | €1,090 |
| Oct 10 Event #3 | Pot Limit Omaha | €5,300 |
| Oct 11 Event #4 | No Limit Hold'em SHOOTOUT | €3,200 |
| Oct 12 Event #5 | NL Hold'em Split (Day 1: 9 handed Day 2: 6 handed Day 3: Heads Up) | €10,400 |
| Oct 13 Event #6 | Six-Handed Pot Limit Omaha | €1,620 |
| Oct 15 Event #7 | WSOPE Main Event Championship | €10,400 |
The decision to move the WSOPE away from London disappointed a lot of people, because it sat nicely alongside EPT London to create a month long poker extravaganza in the UK capital. It does seem natural, however, to regularly move the festival around Europe to embrace all the major poker markets, and many experts believe the WSOPE is going to be significantly bigger now it is in France.
One such reason for this is because the weather and location is significantly more appealing in Cannes than it is in London right now. This is the site of the Cannes Film Festival, and a popular beach-side vacation enjoyed by A-listers.
But the main reason to expect a large attendance is simply that French poker is booming right now, and not only will their be hundreds of online qualifiers playing from French site Barriere Poker, there will be an equally excited contingent of pros willing to travel to what must seem like a potentially very soft event.
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| Lamb vs Hellmuth could go down to the wire in Cannes |
Although the WSOPE has received a significant face-lift this year, all poker eyes will be one the very familiar site of Phil Hellmuth.
The Poker Brat won over an army of new fans this year with his performance at the WSOP, and although he currently tops the WSOP Player of the Year leader board.
But he needs a big result in France to maintain it, because the man just behind him, Ben Lamb, is poised to leap frog him when he returns to the November Nine final table next month.
| WSOP POY Standings | ||
| 1 | Phil Hellmuth | 710.25 |
| 2 | Ben Lamb | 659.05 |
| 3 | Brian Rast | 550.00 |
You can view live updates from the WSOPE and also view live streams of every single final table at WSOP.com.
Good luck to any PokerStrategists playing in the WSOPE, please make sure to tell us how you are doing in our community forums. We will be bringing you all the news, views, and gossip from the WSOPE as it happens.
