Poker52 Europa n3- Jan/Feb 2012

PK52EUROPA_N3_1edecouv.indd 1

22/12/11 18:13:49

PK52EURO_N2_COUV_CS5.5.indd 2

22/12/11 16:38

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 1

23/12/11 18:00

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 2

23/12/11 18:00

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 3

23/12/11 18:00

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 4

23/12/11 18:00

EDITORIAL

Poker52 Europa features an exclusive interview with Sam Trickett, a British player who burst onto the poker scene a couple years ago

Dear Readers, Surely enough 2011 has been quite a hectic year for poker: Black Friday, which happened this spring, has acted like a tsunami on the poker industry in the United States, and its consequences have also influenced the European poker scene. Still, there are many good moments in 2011 that one will always remember, such as the great victory of our German friend, Pius Heinz, at the Main Event of the World Series in Las Vegas, the enormous success of the WSOP-E in Cannes and, of course, the great feat of Sam Tricket.

To celebrate his victory, Poker52 Europa features an exclusive interview with this British player who burst onto the poker scene a couple years ago, moving directly from middlestakes to the Big Game. Trickett is the big thing, the guy no one can miss at a poker table and every time he appears on TV or in a big cash-game, even the best players are afraid by his mastery of the art of poker. A few weeks ago, before the Epic Poker League, Trickett even decided to go back to Macau, the new place to be for high-rollers, and had a tremendous sessions out there, even competing with the likes of Phil Ivey —along side some big Chinese whales who made those cash-games all the more juicy. Who can stop Sam Trickett, the British lad who seems to have already won it? Just discover his secrets in our pages…

I hope to meet you soon in some big European poker tournaments, and I do wish you the best runs possible during 2012!

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 5

5

23/12/11 18:12

6

ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 6

23/12/11 18:00

CONTENTS 10 14

NEWS EUROPEAN POKER AWARDS

20

INTERVIEW

30

And the nominees are…

Sam Trickett

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS 32 EPT Deauville 38 WPT Mauritius 44 EFOP Aviation Club de France 48 CAPT Seefeld 52 EPT Copenhague 56 WPT Los Angeles

70

HENDON MOB RANKINGS

81

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

18

38

CHRONICLES 18 Kara Scott

Thanksgiving 2011

26 Daniel Negreanu

Long Time No Chat!

64 Tony G.

Meet the French guy

66 Fabrice Soulier On the run

68 High Roller - Bruno “KING” Fitoussi A quick bust 72 Hendonmob Tournament Director 84 Isabelle Mercier WSOP-E: From Cannes with love

24

36

is published by Game Prod - 14 rue de Berri 75008 PARIS / France +33 (0)1 53 89 14 00 www.poker52europa.com Directed by: Bruno Benveniste +33 (0)1 53 89 14 08 - brunobenveniste@poker52europa.com Assisted by: Samantha Delmas - samantha@poker52europa.com Chief editor: Jérôme Schmidt - jerome@poker52europa.com Writers: Julien Morello, Antoine Salvi, Philippe Lemaire, Philippe Aronson Cover picture: Sam Crickett, DR Inside pictures: Jules Pochy, Neil Stoddart, XDR Re-writing and translation: Alexander JE Bradley Advertisment: +33 (0)1 53 89 14 06- marine@poker52europa.com Founder: Bruno Fitoussi

DESIGN

www.mayapress.net Artistic Director: Sébastien Martorell - s.martorell@mayapress.net Layout: Jennifer Bouvard, Cécile Chatelin, Laetitia Rossi Print: EUROprintCZ s.r.o.

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 7

23/12/11 18:00

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 8

23/12/11 18:00

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 9

23/12/11 18:00

NEWS // GOOD RUN

PATEYCHUK WINS THE WPT PRAGUE TITLE including the $25,500 seat into the 2012 WPT World Championship at Bellagio in Las Vegas. An epic heads-up battle featured two players hungry for the WPT title. The chips bounced back and forth between the pair, but in the end Pateychuk took a giant leap closer to becoming Russia’s first Triple Crown winner. The red-hot Pateychuk recently won EPT San Remo and also ran deep in the 2011 World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing 15th.

22-year-old Andrey Pateychuk has won the recordbreaking World Poker Tour Prague, moving him one monumental step closer to completing poker’s Triple Crown. The inaugural WPT Prague was a massive success, and now holds the esteemed honour of attracting the biggest field in a WPT Event in Europe. With 571 runners, the €3,500 reentry tournament presented by bwin.com had a total prize pool of more than €1.7 million, which allowed Pateychuk to scoop a first prize of €468,200

// WINTER SALE

PARTYPOKER.COM LAUNCHES A NO-RAKE JANUARY MONTH

The January sales are on! All multi-table tournaments (MTT’s) at PartyPoker.com are rake free with all tournament fees waived from the 1 – 31st January 2012. In January, you can also get a special reload bonus AND get access to a big freeroll. Thus, $1, $2 and $3 total buy-ins will have all the money added to prize pool (i.e $2.70+$0.30 becomes $3+$0) ; $6+ tournaments will see their total buy-in reduced to incorporate no fee (i.e. $20+$2 becomes $20+$0). It gives the customer amazing unique value and more money to play more! As the rake free period applies to ALL MTT’s online qualifiers for offline events, including WPT’s, will have new structures which incorporate no fees.

FINAL TABLE STANDINGS 1. Andrey Pateychuk (Russia): €468,200 including a $25,500 seat into the 2012 WPT World Championship at Bellagio in Las Vegas 2. Adria Balaguer (Spain): €238,000 3. Stanislaw Kretz (Germany): €158,000 4. Benjamin Pollak (France): €104,000 5. Sigurd Eskeland (Finland): €80,000 6. Russell Carson (Canada): €63,000

// GERMANY

CAPT BREGENZ TO BE LAUNCHED

After the first leg of the CAPT 2012 in Seefeld, this great poker tour stops at Bregenz from 19 to 26th February 2012.

With an anticipated prize pool of €800,000, poker manager Joe Fuchshofer and team will provide for a first-rate tournament. Do not miss the €2,000 Main Event with its second chance and its incredible structure…

10

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 10

23/12/11 18:00

// RESULTS

LOCAL PLAYER WINS WPT MARRAKECH Houssam Mohamed Ali wins World Poker Tour Marrakech, triumphing over an impressive international field of 274 runners in the €3,000 Main Event at Casino Es Saadi. The local hero from Casablanca brings home the WPT title, MAD 2,011,962 (Moroccan Dirham) including a $25,500 seat into the 2012 WPT World Championship at Bellagio, Las Vegas. Ali enters WPT history as the first WPT Champion from Morocco and only the second player

from Africa to gain entry into the prestigious WPT Champions Club.

The final day started with nine elite players battling to win WPT Marrakech, including Jonathan Duhamel, Arnaud Mattern and WPT Season VII Player of the Year Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier. While ElkY (8th place) and Duhamel (7th place) bowed out relatively early, Arnaud Mattern made a strong run at the WPT Final Table and finished in 4th place, pocketing MAD 519,600.

FINAL TABLE STANDINGS 1. Houssam Mohamed Ali (Morocco) – MAD 1,798,400 + a $25,500 seat into the 2012 WPT World Championship at Bellagio, Las Vegas 2. Adria Balaguer (Spain): €238,000 3. Stanislaw Kretz (Germany): €158,000 4. Benjamin Pollak (France): €104,000 5. Sigurd Eskeland (Finland): €80,000 6. Russell Carson (Canada): €63,000

// NEW TOURNAMENT

ENGLAND SCORES BIG IN EPT LOUTRAKI British poker pro Zimnan Ziyard has won EPT8 Loutraki for €347,000 at the first ever EPT event in Greece. A total of 336 players from 38 countries competed in the €4,400 Main Event at Club Hotel Casino Loutraki, creating a €1,344,000 prize pool and making it the biggest poker tournament ever held in the country. Ziyard, 25, from Eastbourne, triumphed following a marathon final. Although five players were eliminated by 5pm, it took a further six hours before third-placed John Taramas was knocked out, ending Greek hopes of a local champion.

A two-hour duel then commenced between Zinyard and fellow PokerStars qualifier Hauke Heseding, 24, from Berlin, a part-time player currently doing a year’s national service in the army.

FINAL TABLE/ PAYOUTS: 1. Zimnan Ziyard (UK) PokerStars qualifier €347,000 2. Hauke Heseding (Germany) - PokerStars qualifier €221,800 3. John Taramas (Greece) €134,400 4. Florian Schleps (Austria) PokerStars qualifier €100,800 5. Pierre Mothes (Germany) PokerStars qualifier €67,200 6. Andras Kovacs (Hungary) €53,700 7. Charalampos Kapernopoulos (Greece) €40,300 8. Mario Puccini (Germany) PokerStars qualifier €27,000

POKER 52 €uropa // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2011 // NUMÉRO 2

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 11

11

23/12/11 18:00

NEWS // ONLINE

THE LARGEST ONLINE TOURNAMENT EVER ON POKERSTARS.COM Until today the high-water mark for the Sunday Millions participants was 59,128 players-a record set this past March on the Million’s fifth birthday.

Today, that number topped out at 62,116, creating a prize pool of $12,423,200. Previously, the 2010 WCOOP Main Event held the top spot when it came to PokerStars prize pools, ($12,215,000) and that event carried a $5,200 buy-in. While today’s first-place finisher wouldn’t top POTTERPOKER’s $2,278,097.50 haul in that event, there was a $2 million guarantee on the number 1 spot.

Five hours and fifty minutes into play, the money bubble burst, guaranteeing the remaining 7,682 players at least two and a half times their $215 buy-in.

Four minutes later, 1,000 players had busted and in the seven minutes that followed, another 1,000 joined them on the rail. The Red Spade Army was out in force with dozens of members of Team Pro, Team Online, and Team SportsStars all vying for a seat at the final table. Ten of them finished in the money including Sigge «ClarkKent89» Reichard (7,166th), Gualter Salles

(5,916th), Pius Heinz (4,338th), Johnny Lodden (4,202nd), Rino Mathis (4,081st), Matthias De Muelder (3,149th), Mickey «mement_mori» Petersen (2,377th), George Danzer (1,654th), and Andre Akkari (798th). However, it was everyone’s favourite Flying Dutchman, Marcel Luske, who claimed Team Pro last-longer honours with his 129th-place finish.

POKERSTARS SUNDAY MILLION 10TH ANNIVERSARY $10M GUARANTEED RESULTS 1. First-Eagle (Canada) 2. Unstoffable (Spain) 3. BLAABAR (Sweden) 4. tunafish919 (Australia) 5. Dimedroll (Russia) 6. SkunkDen (Australia) 7. fireballdia (Portugal) 8. kaalen (Sweden) 9. yokouno1980 (Israel)

$1,146,574.65 $580,724.34 $709,896.78 $627,317.26 $995,996.85 $758,986.42 $182,406.00 $119,866.80 $86,512.56

// NEWCOMER

ANOTHER EPT TITLE FOR GERMANY

Germany has scored yet another major poker victory tonight with PokerStars qualifier Martin Finger taking down the €5,300 EPT Prague Main Event for €720,000. He joins a growing roster of Germanophones who have walked away with EPT trophies this season – Ronny Kaiser (from Switzerland) won the season’s first event in Tallinn, Martin Schleich won

EPT Barcelona and Benny Spindler won EPT London. Business science student Finger, a Supernova Elite on PokerStars, won his seat to Prague via PokerStars’ step satellites. He took up poker three years ago, kicking off in home games with friends before finding his way into online poker.

Although today’s victory was his first ever EPT Main Event cash, he has had considerable success on the tour already - runner-up in the EPT Barcelona €1k event for €42,000, third in the EPT Barcelona Headsup tourney in Season 7 and ninth in a €1k EPT Berlin side event. His victory came after a gruelling fourhour heads-up battle against Dutch banker David Boyaciyan. Boyaciyan, 32, is a recreational player who took

the poker world by storm last month when he won the Amsterdam Master Classics for €382,200. His runnerup place in Prague has netted him another €535,000.

FINAL TABLE STANDINGS 1. Martin Finger (Germany) PokerStars qualifier

€720,000 €535,000 €270,000 €205,000 €160,000

PokerStars qualifier

€125,000

PokerStars qualifier

€90,000 €66,700

2. David Boyaciyan (Holland, 3. Nicolas Levi (France) 4. Guillem Usero (Spain) 5. Denys Drobyna (Ukraine) 6. Ari Engel (USA) 7. Andreas Wiese (Germany) 8. Mads Wissing (Denmark)

12 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 12

23/12/11 18:00

// INNOVATION

A NEW SHIELD FOR THE BUBBLE BOYS Bubble Protection, a Las Vegas company that offers online poker players the opportunity to insure their tournament entry fees against being lost, “On the Bubble” is now live at www.BubbleProtection.com.

For players that purchase bubble protection, the “New” online bubble is 10% of the field. By increasing the “Bubble” from one static position, the Bubble Protection “Bubble Range” is now 10% of the total number of entrants in a tournament. With Bubble Protection, poker players can now purchase protection on their tournament buy-in and poker site fees

for a modest premium. A player’s buyin and tournament site fees will be “Paid Back” to the player’s account upon finishing in the “Bubble” with instant verification and settlement of claims. Unique in the industry, with Bubble Protection, the player doesn’t need to make a claim, or engage in any additional money requests. Player accounts are settled automatically.

With Bubble Protection, online players worldwide can now preserve their bankroll and enjoy more tournaments, without the hassle or distraction of excessive losses or long forms. Chris Moorman is the brand’s spokesman.

// ITALY

AN ITALIAN WINNER FOR WPT VENICE Edoardo Alescio has pulled off one of the most unlikely

comebacks of Season X to take down WPT Venice, presented by

PartyPoker.it. The

23-year-old

economics

student

triumphed at Casino Di Venezia Ca’ Noghera to get his name

onto the WPT Champions Cup and win €194,000, including

a seat at the $25,000 2012 WPT World Championship at Bellagio in Las Vegas. European attention now turns to the

internationally televised WPT Venice Grand Prix, taking place 6 – 11th February, 2012. Hosted by the historic Casino

Di Venezia, the oldest casino in the world, the €4,950 buy-in

WPT Season X event runs during the famous carnival season.

WPT Venice Grand Prix will feature Mike Sexton, Vince Van

Patten, and the Royal Flush Girls and will also mark the debut of Marianela Pereyra, presiding as WPT Anchor while

FINAL TABLE STANDINGS 1. Edoardo Alescio (IT) 2. Steve O’Dwyer (US) 3. Michele Caroli (IT) 4. Andrea Dato (IT) 5. Andrea Benelli (IT) 6. Alex Dovzhenko (UKR)

€194,000 €95,930 €66,090 €43,170 €34,245 €27,035

Kimberly Lansing takes maternity leave.

POKER 52 € €uropa uropa ur opa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 13

13

23/12/11 18:00

AWARDS

EUROPEAN POKER AWARDS

AND THE NOMINEES ARE… The climax is at its maximum before the gala ceremony of the European Poker Awards, which will take place in Paris on the evening of 25th January, the night before the Gold Championship of the EFOP at the Aviation Club de France. The nomination panel has now voted to determine the nominees, the who’s who of the European poker scene. The final jury will pick its winners but a few hours before the ceremony itself…

T

The awards stand as a symbol that both money and even poker skill cannot buy: the respect and recognition of ones peers and a place in Poker History.

For their 11 th Edition, the European Poker Awards will once again honour the best Europeans pros and newcomers, as well as the people involved in running the poker industry. The award ceremony is a highlight in the poker year that no one wants to miss, especially because of its prestigious ceremony and its incredible field of players and poker VIPs who attend it every year.

Last year, the ceremony hosted by the lovely Michelle Orpe awarded great champions like Jake Cody, Tony G, James Bord and Liv Boeree. We truly believe this new venture will capture the attention of the poker world and we hope it will be the same for you. The evening will be broadcasted and covered by magazines and poker-dedicated websites.

The “Rob Gardner Memorial Award for the Poker Personality of the Year” was introduced in memory of the contribution Rob Gardner gave to the poker scene.

Rob Gardner was best known for being the producer of

14 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 14

23/12/11 18:00

Player of the year

Jake Cody (England) Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier (France) Pius Heinz (Germany) Eugene Katchalov (Ukraine) Andrey Pateychuk (Russia) Sam Trickett (England)

Best Tournament performance Jake Cody (England) Pius Heinz (Germany) Fabrice Soulier (France) Benny Spindler (Germany) Sam Trickett (England)

Rookie of the year Adrien Allain (France) Pius Heinz (Germany) Sam Holden (England) Oleksii Kovalchuk (Ukraine) Andrey Pateychuk (Russia)

Europe’s Leading Lady Liv Boeree (England) Victoria Coren (England) Nesrine Kourdourli (France) Barbara Martinez (France) Natalia Nikitina (Russia) Cecilia Pescaglini (Italy)

Poker Staff Person of the year

Barny Boatman (England) Neil Channing (England) Bertrand “Elky”Grospellier (France) Tony Guoga (Lithuania) Jesse May (Denmark)

Nicolas Fraioli (France) Warren Lush (International Public Relation Department Bwin Party, England) Edgar Stuchly (EPT President) Kirsty Thompson (President of the UKIPT, England) Simon Trumper (Dusk Till Dawn Live Poker Director England)

Internet Player of the year

Rob Gardner Memorial Award for the poker personality of the year

Best European Event of the year EPT London International Poker Open Dublin Finale du Partouche Poker Tour WPT Grand Prix de Paris WSOPE Cannes

Lifetime Achievement Award The winner will be announced on 25th January.

Jude Ainsworth (Ireland) Viktor Blom (Sweden) Rui Cao (France) Chris Moorman (England) Ilari Sahamies (Finland)

the first three series of Late Night Poker, the first televised poker show of the modern era. He was the first ever person to successfully pioneer the idea of showing player’s hole cards by using under-the-table cameras…it was this concept which kick-started televised poker. Rob died at the age of 36 in 2007.

The people getting the most nominations in each category are invited to Paris for the final judging and presentation ceremony, which will take place during the annual Euro Finals of Poker at the Aviation Club de France on 25 th January 2012.

The judges discuss the relative merits of each nominee and then a secret ballot is held so that even the judges themselves do not know who the winners are. This is only revealed when the envelopes containing the winners’ names are opened. The lifetime achievement award is based solely on votes of the nomination panel. The winners receive unique trophies shaped like a golden spade, specially created for the European Poker Awards by Samy and Antonella Haffaf.

Poker52 Europa readers had picked...

Player of the year : Bertrand «ElkY» Grospellier Best tournament performance : Bertrand «ElkY» Grospellier Rookie of the year : Adrien Allain Europe’s leading Lady : Liv Boeree Poker staff person of the year : Nicolas Fraioli Rob Gardner Memorial Award for the Poker Personality of the year : Bertrand «Elky» Grospellier LifeTime Achievement Award : Fabrice Soulier Internet player of the year : Chris Moorman Best event of the year : WSOPE Cannes

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 15

15

23/12/11 18:00

16 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 16

23/12/11 18:00

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 17

23/12/11 18:01

CHRONICLE KARA SCOTT

KARA SCOTT

18 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 18

23/12/11 18:01

2011

THANKSGIVING I have been in a food coma since American Thanksgiving. Being a non-US transplant in California has certainly been an interesting experience over the past couple of years. Although Canada and the USA are geographically close (note: but not ACTUALLY the same country, thank you very much) there are just enough cultural differences to constantly remind me that I am indeed in a foreign nation. Over the past couple of weeks, the only topics of conversation seemed to be Thanksgiving and Black Friday. No, not the poker version of Black Friday but this strange day which sounds ridiculously ominous but is actually just an extreme and slightly frightening version of the Boxing Day sales you non-Americans might be more familiar with. People camp out with real tents and everything and line up in front of stores like Walmart ALL NIGHT in order to be allowed in early to pick up deals on merchandise. People get really wound up about Black Friday and the news has been full of stories of people going a little bit too far in their shopping zeal. One lady even used pepper spray to fend off purchasing rivals who were approaching things she wanted to buy. I really don’t understand the whole thing and I’m sure there must be more to it that I’m missing, because it all sounds utterly bonkers to me. Thanksgiving though, now THAT I can get behind! This is a holiday created for nothing short of gluttony - something that I’m quite fond of as a pastime. Some friends of mine invited me over to share their dinner, along with about 15 family members and other friends. It was, in a word, awesome. The taste and variety of foods was staggering although of course turkey was the centrepiece. And the amounts, dear god, the sheer volume of food that we ate. It was really lovely to be able to watch her family dynamic as everyone teased and told jokes and caught up on each other’s lives and they welcomed me in like

People get really wound up about Black Friday and the news has been full of stories of people going a little bit too far in their shopping zeal

a long lost Canadian cousin. I endured a lot of ‘eh’ jokes but we bonded over the humour from the classic Canadian movie Strange Brew. They are a great group of people and if they don’t invite me back next year for some reason, I might just camp outside their house pre-Thanksgiving in my own version of crazy Black Friday consumption madness. I hope you all enjoyed your November, whether turkey was involved or not!

19

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 19

23/12/11 18:01

INTERVIEW RENCONTRE

SAM TRICKETT CRUSHING THE BIG GAME

The kid from East Retford (United Kingdom) is only 25 but is already part of the happy few British poker millionaires. Moreover, now that he has won so much in tournament, he can play with the big boys at any high-stakes NLHE table. Trickett is simply a genius, the bad boy that UK has been waiting since Devilfish to crush again the Big Game. In 2011, he has won the PPT for a good million euros and totaled more that 4 millions in a row, especially during the Aussie Millions. Some rumors say that he is stacked by one of his fellow poker millionaires, James Bord, in exchange for the ticket to the Macau big games. For Trickett, life must be lived on the fast lane: in 2007, at 22, he discovered online poker and its small-stakes sit’n’gos. One year later, he made a final table in a 5k NLHE event at the WSOP in Las Vegas, winning his first 6-digit sum —$245,000. After this, he never looked back. The former professional soccer player who had to put an end to his career in 2005 after a knee injury could be considered as the next “Poker Brat”: he is loud, funny and full of talent. And we has cash in his pockets, he just spends it in expensive sports car, gifts for his lovely girlfriend or buy-ins for the Big Game in Macau. The Asian gaming city has thus become his number one spot, winning 2 millions in a night, losing half of it the next 48 hours, and then coming back to the grind to win a new mil after… Just after his winning in Cannes, he went back to Macau to win big, along with Phil Ivey, Johnny Chan, Tom Dwan, Andrew Robl or Patrik Antonius. Playing 25-hours straight sessions, he was one of the biggest winners versus the Chinese whales, ex-communist billionaires who play highlimit poker as they can spew at the baccarat table. A perfect fresh meat for Trickett’s insatiable appetite…

By Jerome Schmidt / picture : Titan Poker

20 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 20

23/12/11 18:01

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 21

21

23/12/11 18:01

INTERVIEW

You just come back from the Macau Big Games, how was it?

There is a lot action out there, especially since the Chinese billionaires have decided to try their luck at the poker tables. But it’s not as soft as one could have expected… First time I’ve been there, I played directly in the middlestakes cash, the 300/600 HK$ (which equals 30/60 in Europe), where I built up a little bankroll, at the autumn 2010.

Then I moved up to the Big Game, the 4000/8000 HK$ (400/800 in Europe) thanks to some stacking, which is like a roller coaster. Hopefully, I ended pretty good, despite the huge upswings and downswings you can endure… And lastly, during my trip this autumn 2011, I played so long sessions, like 25 hours in a row, which is pretty tricky for sure…

How can you endure such long sessions?

Well, I don’t know personally! (laughs) In fact, to give you an example, I played a 26 hours session, and was a big winner

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 22

until 25 hours and 30 minutes… and lost it all in 30 minutes, with some set-ups…

It’s really hard, emotionally speaking, but I went to sleep afterwards, and came back the next day, in full force, to win!

How are the pros doing there?

Well, as I told you it’s not as soft as one could expect: those guys are not whales, they are pretty tricky sometimes because it’s hard to have clear reads or expectations with them… And they have so much money that they can play any big draw, putting a lot of money pressure on you.

That’s why I think it’s good to be stacked in such big games, to feel less scaredmoney, even if it’s not especially my type (laughs)…

There seems to be a very good fraternity between all the British pros…

Indeed, and I have to admit I’m lucky enough to be friend with the coolest

poker guys in UK. Since my very beginning, when I was playing the very smallstakes tournaments at Dusk Till Dawn, in Nottingham, I’ve been close to the old school guys, like Neil Channing, Paul Jackson or Julian Thew. Thew was the one who first stacked me to enter the “bigger” tournaments, the £200 or £300 tourneys, to help building up my bankroll.

He bought 10% share of me and it really helped me a lot to move up quickly…

In 2005, you were still a soccer player, and now, you’re already one of the biggest cash-game players on earth… How did you move up so quickly?

Some say I’m fearless, others put it differently by saying I’m a crazy gambler! (laughs) I always had competition throbbing in my blood, and I want to be the best. When doctors told me in 2005 that I could never play soccer properly due to a knee injury, I just wanted to be the best in another field… It’s pretty funny because a lot of other pros have previously been

23/12/11 18:01

Some say I’m fearless, others put it differently by saying I’m a crazy gambler!

I always had competition throbbing in my blood, and I want to be the best.

sportsmen who had to stop because of injuries, like Doyle Brunson for example.

Thus I started poker in pubs and did pretty well, winning small sit’n’gos in a row and hitting the runner-up place for my first casino tournament. Competitiveness is my first and foremost quality, because it has always been driving my whole life. And in fact, it might be a reason why bankroll management is not such important for me: I want to play the highest possible with the best players around. I might be not the best technical player around, but I always give hard times to my opponents. I want them to leave the comfort zone and to think a lot when they play against me. Indeed I prefer to push them around so that they are forced to take huge decisions… and to regret it!

How is the interaction between the British players?

If you had ever experienced a final table at the World Series where a British player is heads-up, believe me, you’d understand it quite easily! When one of us makes a big final table, the rows are crowded with

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 23

lads singing and screaming at every hand their fellow mate is involved in… Most of us are friends, from the old school guys to the new guns, like Jake Cody. We discuss a lot about our hands, how we played it, etc. James Bord is a also a central man in UK because he stacked a lot of guys, and believe me it was good stacking… First time I flew to Macau, he bought 30% of my action. I always discuss with him my big hands, to determine if I did good or not.

For example, you don’t play a tournament in Europe like a cash-game in Macau. In Macau, I won almost a million euros with just top-pair, versus two Chinese rich men who were on draws… On these tables, you’d better not bluffing, as Bord always tells me, or only versus the pros or in special spots.

What has been your best tournament experience?

Aussie Million 2011 for sure. Before that, I was already part of the big pros but these two high-roller and super high-roller tournaments just changed my life… I came first in the $100,000, for more than

$1,500,000 and second in the $250,000 for almost the same amount. It put me on a winning streak: I made the finale table of WPT Diamond in Paris and won the PPT afterwards… My only regret was this year’s WSOP where I just did nothing almost.

It was strange because when you win so often and so big, it’s very stressing not to be able to at least do a final table in 3 months! (laughs)

When you’re so young and have won so much, how can you still be motivated?

If I look back at my young career, I have to admit 2011 has been incredible, and that I might not do as well in the upcoming years. Though, I’d like to concentrate more on the big cash-games because that’s where all the money and thrill are, and also win a major event, like an EPT, a WPT or, even better, a WSOP bracelet. I know I can do it, I almost made it in 2010… I just have to focus during 4 weeks and not regret a single hand I had played!

23/12/11 18:01

INTERVIEW

RANKING

2011

Tournament

Result

10 oct.

€ 5,000 Pot Limit Omaha 2011 World Series of Poker Europe, Cannes

9 oct.

£ 20,000 No Limit Hold’em High Roller Event EPT/UK & Ireland Poker Tour London, London

7th

12 sept.

€ 8,500 No Limit Hold’em Main Event Partouche Poker Tour Main Event, Cannes

1st

9 aug.

$ 20,000 No Limit Hold’em Six Handed - League Main Event 2011-12 Epic Poker League - Event 1, Las Vegas

11th

22 june

$ 1,500 No Limit Hold’em 42nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2011, Las Vegas

7 june

4th

winnings $ 103,719

$ 107,534

25 june

$ 1,500 No Limit Hold’em 41st World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2010, Las Vegas

17th

$ 25,838

8 june

$ 5,000 No Limit Hold’em 41st World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2010, Las Vegas

2nd

$ 505,725

2009

Tournament

Result

winnings

28 aug

$ 10,000 Finals Late Night Poker 2009, Cardiff

4th

$ 45,000

$ 49,360

15 aug.

£ 500 No Limit Hold’em Main Event 2009 Coral British Masters Poker Tour - Nottingham, Nottingham

5th

$ 4,552

57th

$ 7,516

14 aug.

1st

$ 7,581

$ 1,500 No Limit Hold’em Triple Chance 42nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2011, Las Vegas

£ 200 No Limit Hold’em 2009 Coral British Masters Poker Tour - Nottingham, Nottingham

16th

$ 12,952 16 jul.

10th

$ 16,328

9 feb.

€ 5,000 WPT Diamond Championship EFOP Diamond Championship/ WPT Regional Series, Paris

6th

£ 2,500 No Limit Hold’em Main Event The Grosvenor Victoria London Poker Championships & Unibet Open, London

19 mar.

1st

$ 13,997

27 jan.

A$ 250,000 Super High Roller No Limit Hold’em 2011 Aussie Millions Poker Championship, Melbourne

2

£ 1,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event 888.com London Poker Circuit , London

22 jan.

A$ 100,000 No Limit Hold’em 2011 Aussie Millions Poker Championship, Melbourne

1st

2010

Tournament

nd

$ 1,364,666

$ 59,403

$ 1,384,631 2008

Result

$ 1,508,258

6 sept.

1st

$ 200,000

28 aug.

€ 5,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event EPT Vilamoura, Vilamoura

4th

$ 177,519

30 june

$ 25,000 No Limit Hold’em Six Handed 41st World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2010, Las Vegas

7th

$ 141,168

Result

winnings

15 nov.

£ 300 No Limit Hold’em Grosvenor UK Poker Tour Leg 9, Blackpool

1st

$ 20,022

7 aug.

£ 1,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event Grosvenor UK Poker Tour Leg 6, Luton

1st

$ 215,178

26 june

$ 5,000 No Limit Hold’em 39th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2008, Las Vegas

4th

$ 245,927

winnings

$ 10,000 No Limit Hold’em PartyPoker.com World Open VI, London

Tournament

Total (all time) : $ 6,304,096 Total 2011 : $ 4,598,038

24 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 24

23/12/11 18:01

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 25

25

23/12/11 18:01

DANIEL NEGREANU “Kid Poker”

LONG TIME NO CHAT! 08 December 2011

The two month long trip to Europe absolutely drained me both mentally and physically. On the last leg of that trip, EPT San Remo, I played good for the first three hours or so, then just

collapsed and had no interest or energy to continue. I was spent, and played terribly, hoping

C H R O N I C L E DA N I E L N E G R E A N U

to either get lucky and double up, or catch the next flight home. I can’t remember the last

time I mailed in a tournament like that, but I just didn’t have it. I definitely needed a break from the game... so I took one.

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 26

I started working on «Me». I got on a schedule where I was waking up at 8am and doing Bikram Yoga everyday, doing some reading, more specifically an Eckhart Tolle book that I’m rereading called «A New Earth.» The book is really deep, and I’ll probably read it at least once a year for the rest of my life as a reminder of what I’ve learned, and what I continue to learn. I also started volunteering in the kitchen at threesquare.org, a great organization that feeds thousands of needy kids in Las Vegas. I plan to do a lot more in the coming year to help them, both with fund raising efforts as well as hands on work in the kitchen.

This coming Thursday I’m doing Extreme 1 0 7 . 5

locally, and listeners will have the chance to have dinner with me, along with a poker tourney/ lesson sometime in January. This is no joke, but for every $1 donated Three Square can provide three nutritious meals for kids in Vegas. The place is run like a well-oiled machine. I’m super impressed with how well the program is run and I promise you, they do a lot of good. If you plan on donating, and hope to join me for the dinner/poker lesson, I promise you we will have a blast! We’ll do Vegas up right. My focus really isn’t on poker at the moment, and that’s not something I feel the need to apologize for. I’ve worked hard in this industry for many years, both at the tables and away from the felt, and I needed a little time for me, so I took it. I’m sure that fire and passion will resurface, I’m way too competitive of a person for that not to be the case, but it wasn’t really there in the WPT event this week. I played OK, pretty good actually, but I’d rate my focus at about a D. Tomorrow is a small field $100,000 buy in event at Bellagio. I never really felt very excited about playing, and I still don’t really feel gung ho about entering, but I think I’m going to give it a go anyway. I played two $100k buy in events this year, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively, my only two really good results in what was otherwise a bad year for me tournament

23/12/11 18:01

wise. Those two cashes were worth $1,500,000 and that pretty much sums up all my highlights for the year, outside of a strong showing in the WCOOP where I had 15 cashes and placed 3rd in the race for player of the series. In the last Bellagio 100k, I felt similarly to the way I do now. I wasn’t going to play unless they got at least 27 players. The event started at noon, and at about 3:30pm they hit that number so I showed up at 4pm and ended up finishing 3rd. If they get 22 players for tomorrow I’ll be there. I often do things in a very extreme fashion and have done all my life. As mentioned, I was «living right» doing Bikram Yoga everyday, etc. but this last week, while I’ve been having a blast, I’ve kind of been living in the fast lane. I invited my friend Maria Ho to go see the new Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show on Saturday, and somehow it ended up turning into a three-night binge of «clubbing» with her and her friends. Haze, Marquee, and Bank, with dinners and drinks mixed in a long the way. I had a lot of fun, but that is definitely not the best way for me to prepare for a tournament! I have «rules» when it comes to playing tournaments, and I definitely broke them this week. I’m not disappointed in myself to be honest, I just felt like going out.. so I did. Today I’m being a good boy vegging on the couch watching some NHL Hockey. I started betting again this November and have done pretty well so far. I rarely

every lay a price on any game, and I’ve been hitting a lot of underdogs pretty consistently: November: 11-8 +4.93 units, December: 5-2 +4.25 units, Total: 16-10 +9.18 units There is no chance I can keep up that pace all season, but I do think I can pick in the 50% range, and since I’m always being laid odds as opposed to laying a price, that will be a good result by the end of the year. If you feel like gambling on some hockey, I tweet my picks before the games when I do bet @realkidpoker. I finally made the switch from Blackberry to iPhone, but sadly, I’m with Sprint and it doesn’t look like that company is capable yet of hosting the product. I’m dropping calls habitually, texts barely go through, and the 3G network connection fails me regularly here in Las Vegas. I think I’m going to be forced to switch providers, and after doing some research it looks like Verizon is going to win my business. I’m going to be heading to Toronto for Christmas, and I’m likely going to take in a Leafs game on the 17th, 19 th, and 22 nd, while also playing in the Sunday Million on PokerStars.com with a ridiculously big 10 th anniversary guarantee. After that, the only thing I’m looking to plan is NYE this year, likely in Vegas again, and then it’s off to the PCA, with hopefully, renewed focus and determination for a better 2012.

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 27

27

23/12/11 18:01

28 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 28

23/12/11 18:01

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 29

29

23/12/11 18:01

30 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 30

23/12/11 18:01

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 31

31

23/12/11 18:01

TOURNAMENT

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 32

23/12/11 18:01

EUROPEAN POKER TOUR DEAUVILLE SEASON 8

THE BIGGEST

FRENCH POKER SERIES The European Poker Tour will stop once again in one of the most prestigious French seaside resorts, the city of Deauville, known as the “Queen of the Normandy beaches”. Crowds of players are awaited for this week-long series highlighted by its €5300 buy-in Main Event starting on 31st January 2012 in the mythical Casino Barrière de Deauville. Who will succeed Frenchman Lucien Cohen as Deauville’s prince of poker? Here is an overview of what you can expect for the 8th season of the EPT in Normandy.

S

Since the first season of the EPT in 2005, Deauville has been one of the most important stops of the major European circuit. Each year, more and more players have traveled to the Normandy seaside, reaching the record number of 891 participants last year, generating a €4,276,800 prize pool.

The most talented poker pros have played this amazing tournament each year since the beginning, as German pro Moritz Kranich and British young gun Jake Cody, who

By Julien Morello won the big prize respectively in 2008 and 2009. Kranich went back home with €851,400 after overtaking French pro Arnaud Esquevin and Cody won €847,000 after his heads-up against Romanian Teodor Caraba. Last year, Lucien Cohen took the title on home soil for a first place prize of €880,000, emerging from the 891 player-field after 6 days of tournament play.

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 33

33

23/12/11 18:01

TOURNAMENT

More and more players coming to the French temple of gambling An increasing number of players come each year to EPT Deauville, and it’s not surprising. Indeed, this small city on the coast of the English Channel has a lot to offer: a century-long tradition of high-class gambling and the equestrian, with perfectly organized facilities and impeccable staff, beautiful natural surroundings, gorgeous turn-of-thecentury architecture, international cultural events and some of the most sumptuous palaces in France.

Located in the city center, the Casino Barrière de Deauville is a must-see in itself. This mythical building was erected in 1912 on the seafront, the Promenade des Planches, and has attracted European high stakes gamblers ever since. It was designed in the classic Belle Epoque style by French architect Georges Wybo, who is also the creator of the Printemps Haussmann department store and the Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris. With a luxurious setting worthy of the grandest of palaces, this legendary casino includes 356 slot machines, 3 restaurants, 3 bars, ballroom, discotheque, meeting rooms and also Le Petit Trianon, an

Italian theater hosting a celebrated ensemble performing more than 125 shows per year. Within the premises you will also find a cinema, famous for hosting the annual American Film Festival in September.

Do you want a part of a record prize pool?

There is a lot to do and see around Deauville: its twin sister Trouville is a delightful, quiet a historical town, famous for inspiring its well-known residents Claude Monet, Alexandre Dumas and Gustave Flaubert. The lovely medieval maritime town of Honfleur, with its picturesque, colorful narrow houses, is also easily reached by car. Close by is the dramatic D-Day landing beaches, the famed coastline where the Allied forces broke the Atlantic Wall during WWII. But the only struggle you’ll see this winter will take place at the Deauville International Center, the elegant annex of the Casino Barrière.

From 27th January to 6th February, alongside high stakes NLHE and PLO cash game tables, this series will host no

34 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 34

23/12/11 18:01

LIST OF THE EPT MAIN EVENT WINNERS Season 1 - 2005

field: 243 players 1st Brandon Schaefer 2nd Carl Olson 3rd Mark Ristine

€144,000 €80,000 €40,500

Season 2 - 2006 field: 434 players 1st Mats Iremark 2nd Mark Boudewjin 3rd Kirill Gerasimov

€480,000 €259,000 €155,000

Season 5 - 2009

field: 645 players 1st Moritz Kranich 2nd Arnaud Esquevin 3rd Tristan Clémençon

less than 20 events, with buy-ins ranking from €300+€30 to €10,000+€300, such as a 2-day €3,000+€250 Heads Up Event, a 3-day €2,000+€200 Hold’em Event, a 6-handed €5,000+€250 High Roller Event, a 2-day €10,000+€300 High Roller Event, as well as the most awaited 6-day Main Event.

A large number of French players are expected, as each year, trying to best the greatest international poker pros in a major high-level tournament to keep the title on home soil. Last year, WSOP winner Jonathan Duhamel grabbed €203,232 in the High Roller Event, and the prize pool of the Main Event reached an amazing record of €4,276,800, but the ever-growing EPT Deauville should attract more players for its 8th season, and generate an even bigger cash prize. Do you want a part of it?

€851,400 €.495,400 €284800

Season 6 - 2010

field: 768 players 1st Jake Cody 2nd Teodor Caraba 3rd Mike McDonald

€847,000 €516,000 €295,000

Season 7 - 2011

field: 891 players 1st Lucien Cohen 2nd Martin Jacobson 3rd Alex Wice

€880,000 €560,000 €330,000

Close by is the dramatic D-Day landing beaches, the famed coastline where the Allied forces broke the Atlantic Wall during WWII POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 35

35

23/12/11 18:01

TOURNAMENT

HOW TO GET THERE

Air: There is a small international airport in Deauville-St Gatien with connections limited to Marrakech, Athens, Crete, Funchal, Palma.

For other international flights, you will first have to fly into Paris, with direct fights from almost all European and many North America cities, then continue to Deauville by car or train.

Train: From London, take the Eurostar to Paris (2 hours 15 mins, from £69 return).

Crossing from Paris Gard du Nord via RER train (Line E), or a taxi (around €8) to Paris Gare St Lazare. Trains to Deauville leave St Lazare 4 times a day, (approx. 2 hours).

Road: Caen-Deauville: N176 then N177;

Paris-Deauville: A13, 195km, including 186km of highway (approx. 2 hours).

Sea: Multiple trips per day from England.

Brittany Ferries: Portsmouth – Caen/ Ouistreham. P&O: Southampton - Portsmouth Le Havre.

HOTELS Normandy Barrière *****

This beautiful Anglo-Norman dwelling offers 290 rooms, including 28 suites and 8 apartments, decorated in style and tradition with authentic Toile de Jouy. Each suite has character and is warm and refined, with views of the sea, the old town or the hotel’s magnificent courtyard, for stays full of charm. The classic atmosphere and the enchanting natural surroundings will make you forget that you are right in the city center. Special rates for EPT participants.

• 38 rue Jean Mermoz, Deauville

Royal Barrière Deauville *****

“At the Royal Barrière, each guest is a star”. The 220 rooms and 31 suites are the most luxurious in Normandy and have been recently refurbished by the well-known designer Jacques Garcia. Erected with sumptuous 1900 architecture, French doors that open to a great, unspoiled ocean view, the Royal seems to be the British and American visitors’ favorite. €250-500 per night. Special rates for EPT participants.

• Boulevard Cornuché, Deauville

Mercure Deauville Hotel du Yacht Club ***

If you don’t want to stay in a palace of a hotel, but still want comfort and great services, you can enjoy one of the 53 recently renovated, contemporary and tasteful rooms or duplex suites at the Mercure Deauville Hotel du Yacht Club.

Located in the heart of the city, opposite the marina and just a stone’s throw from the casino and beach, this hotel offers rates starting at €91.

• 2 rue Breney, Deauville

RESTAURANTS Le Drakkar

The place-to-be for EPT players. Situated just 100 meters from the casino back entrance, the Drakkar is the perfect restaurant for seafood lovers, french cuisine and grilled meat.

Ask for the signature grilled lobster or the Isigny oysters, and do not forget to taste the mussels as a side-dish. Always crowded, fun and entertaining with a special terrace even in winter time for smokers.

Ciro’s

With its windows opening onto the beach, this gastronomic brasserie is a must try. Great sea food, fish tartare, and sole meunière, the menu is a tribute to the sea. You can sit on the terrace or on the mezzanine and enjoy the view, or stay inside in the cosy early 1900s atmosphere. The cellar holds some prestigious French bottles, but the restaurant also offers some affordable decent wines. Menus from €60 to €90.

• Boulevard de la Mer, Deauville

36 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 36

23/12/11 18:02

La Régence

Located in the famous fishing village of Trouville, La Régence is a timeless restaurant which dates back 1853. Right on the quay near Trouville’s seaside promenade and casino, the restaurant’s ornate interior, with mirrored walls and decorative whitewashed wood paneling, is the perfect setting for romantic meals and celebrations. You’ll be able to enjoy the finest seafood, as grilled lobster and fresh Isigny oysters are La Régence’s signature dishes.

• Boulevard Fernand Moreau, Trouville

NIGHTLIFE The O2 Sofa Bar

With a lounge spirit and a terrace opened towards the sea, the modern and baroque sofa bar of the mythical casino

Barrière offers a great choice of cocktails and a specialty menu of vodkas and sakes. Enjoy the Oxygen bar and dance to the music of guest Djs, coming every week end.

• Rue Edmond Blanc, Deauville

Vintage café

Just a stone’s throw from the picturesque harbor of Honfleur, a lovely small town located 15 kilometers form Deauville, this Jazz club and wine bar is a great place to grab a cocktail and listen to some live Jazz late into the night.

• 8 quai des Passagers, Honfleur

Le Point Bar

Open late at night, le Point Bar is quite attractive for those who are searching for some action together with their friends, with a piano bar, lounge, billiards and table-football.

• 94 avenue de la République, Deauville

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 37

37

23/12/11 18:02

TOURNAMENT

WORLD POKER TOUR NATIONAL SERIES MAURITIUS

SEA, SAND AND POKER IN A PARADISE ISLAND 38 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 38

23/12/11 18:02

HOW TO GET THERE? • Several airlines serve Mauritius directly from Paris and Frankfurt daily. You can also reach Mauritius via Reunion.

• At the Airports of Mauritius, you can rent a car for an affordable prize with Pingouin Car Rental Ltd, and Mauritius-rentacar.

After America, Europe and North Africa, the World Poker Tour will make a stop for the first time ever in the southern hemisphere, from 25th February to 4th March in Mauritius Island, a sparkling gem in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar and southeast of the Seychelles. The Ti Vegas Casino of Grand Baie will host 8 events and several satellites for the €1,200 Main Event, and you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of this charming paradise island, playing poker for a huge prize money. Welcome to a land full of colours, where Europe meets India, China and Africa for a melting pot of scents, cultures and savors… welcome to Mauritius!

F

Far from the world major spots of poker like America, Europa and Asia, the southern hemisphere, apart from Australia, New-Zealand and Latin America (and the WSOPC South Africa), has been waiting for a very long time for its first international poker tournament series.

And after a great deal of effort, the passionate Sylvain Liotard, CEO of Paradise Events, a company located between Madagascar, La Reunion and Mauritius which is trying to develop the poker scene in this part of the world, managed successfully to bring the World Poker Tour National to its small island, in partnership with the French poker website PMU.fr and the Paradise Girls…

The charms of Mauritius are waiting for you…

The beautiful Mauritius Island, on the east of Madagascar and La Reunion, is waiting for poker players, for the biggest poker series of the small country’s history, hosted in the Ti

By Antoine Salvi

Vegas Casino (meaning “Small Las Vegas” in French Creole) of Grand Baie, in the northwestern part of the island. While winter will strike Europe, this part of the world will enjoy summertime, the perfect moment to discover the white sandy beaches, the turquoise sea and one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world.

Activities in Mauritius are limitless: golf, water sports, fishing, walks with lions, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming with dolphins, catamaran cruises, sky diving and so much more.

You won’t have time to rest… But if you want to enjoy your stay in an easy way, the island owns all the facilities to offer you the unforgettable holiday, such as all-inclusive 4 star seaside resorts, where luxury and comfort are perfectly combined for a leisurely tranquility. You would also appreciate the delicate and tasteful food of the island, a result and a symbol of the Mauritian history, a cross between European, African, Indian and Chinese cultures.

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 39

39

23/12/11 18:02

TOURNAMENT

If you’re looking for a full

gambling stay, the Ti Vegas

Casino will be your head quarter!

WPT MAURITIUS PROGRAM 26/02 Deepstack Event €500

The Ti Vegas Casino and the Paradise Girls And if you’re looking for a full gambling stay, the Ti Vegas Casino will be your head quarter, where you will find slots machine, blackjack, Chinese blackjack, roulette, sic bo and No Limit Hold’em tables. Designed with the uppermost professionalism, innovation and latest technology, it is definitely the perfect place to pop in with your dear ones for a thrilling gambling session.

27/02 Shorthanded Event €230 28/02 Shoot the Donkeys Event €230 29/02 WPT Main Event €1,200 01/03 Girls Power! Event €280 03/03 High Roller Event €4,000 04/03 8-Handed Event €500

There, you will also find Gabriella, Melissa, Vania, Katlyn, Deeya and Megane, the stars of the “Paradise of Poker” TV Show, 40 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 40

23/12/11 18:02

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 41

41

23/12/11 18:02

TOURNAMENT

HOTELS Lux* Island Grand Gaube

Conveniently located only 15 minutes from the casino, this 4-star resort is the closest you can get to paradise.

172 rooms, 23 suites and 3 villas - the biggest one being 288m2 - are all waiting for you on a stunning beachfront. Absolute luxury and comfort, splendid view on the Northern Islands and the Indian Ocean, all kinds of sports and activities to have fun and relax... Just make sure you don’t forget you came here to play poker! Special rates for WPT participants.

• Pointe Rejane, Grand Gaube, Mauritius‬

Le Mauricia

Just a stone’s throw from the casino, Le Mauricia is a 4-star Beachcomber hotel where the atmosphere is cosmopolitan and relaxed, simple yet cozy. 237 rooms, suites, apartments, lofts and villas are built along the beach and amazingly large saltwater pools, decorated with exquisite taste. Sit back, look at the sea, relax, enjoy.

• Grand Baie, Mauritius

broadcasted in Indian Ocean countries and France. The Mauritian sisters of the Royal Flush Girls will host the WPT opening ceremony on 29th February. And if one fantastic party is not enough for you, don’t worry; the beautiful Paradise Girls will display all their charm and glamour during the entire series!

A series shaped for poker lovers

With Affordable buy-ins, the WPT Mauritius series is perfectly shaped by director tournament Matt Savage especially for poker lovers: alongside the 4-Day €1,100 + €100 Main Event, with 20,000 starting chips and 1 hour levels, the WPT will provide several interesting side events, with buy-ins ranking from €200 + €30 to €3,700 + €30. A €450 + €50 Deepstack Event will kick off the Mauritius festival, followed by a €200 + €30 6-Handed tournament and a €150+50 + €30 “Shoot the donkeys” Bounty Event.

Then the Main Event will debut with an opening ceremony, succeeded by the “Girls Power!” Tournament, a €400 + €50 Ladies event. On 3rd March, the €3,700 + €300 High Roller Event will begin, with 40,000 starting chips and 1 hour levels, for a final table expected the next day. Finally, the €450 + €50 8-Handed Event will close this fantastic series, as the Main

Le Royal Palm

A proud member of “The Leading Hotels of the World”, Le Royal Palm is the finest hotel in Mauritius. Stretching along a pure white sandy beach, this tranquil tropical haven that has an uncompromising commitment to excellence. Luxury and refinement at their best.

• Grand Baie, Mauritius

Le Legend

This hotel offers special deals for all the poker players and can be included in the most interesting packages.

This 5-star venue will provide you will all the top-notch amenities and delights available in Mauritius.

Event finalists will play on the featured table, broadcasted in France, South Africa, Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles and Madagascar.

An official WPT tournament

The WPT Mauritius is an official series, and it offers the same options as in Europe, North Africa and America, such as the re-entry option, which allow players who busted on the Day 1A of the Main Event to enter once again in the tournament on Day 1B, for the same prize and for a new chance to grab a part of the prize pool. All players making the money are sure to double at least their buy-in, and 12% of players will be paid in the Main Event. We hope you will be a part of it!

Paradise settings, comfortable facilities, exciting activities and, of course, high level poker tournaments, everything is ready to give you a magical stay in the blue lagoons and the tropical gardens of the Indian Ocean!

You can qualify to the Main Event and win a WPT package via satellites on PMU.fr. For more information, have a look at www.wptmauritius.com.

42 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 42

23/12/11 18:02

RESTAURANTS

NIGHTLIFE

The Kitchen

The Bar

Set against a breath-taking lagoon backdrop, The Kitchen is LUX* Grand Gaube’s main gastronomic attraction, offering everything from fresh, healthy and bountiful breakfast buffets to lively themed evenings and flavorful Chef’s Specials throughout the week.

• Lux* Island Grand Gaube, Pointe Rejane, Grand Gaube, Mauritius

Les Quais

Les Quais, Le Mauricia’s main restaurant, is set amidst roofed terraces and extended wooden decks that run the length of the slate swimming pool. The décor, enhanced by white ceilings, is evocative of a marina wharf. Modern storage cupboards and cooking stations are shaped like boat hulls and a unique feature is a stainless steel bridge that spans over the buffet areas.

• La Mauricia, Grand Baie, Mauritius

La Goélette

La Goélette, the romantic terrace restaurant of Le Royal Palm Resort, has acquired well-deserved international status over the years. Today, the restaurant is recommended worldwide. You can enjoy an eclectic mix of international and local favorites, combining the world’s finest ingredients with the freshest produce in Mauritius.

• Le Royal Palm, Grand Baie, Mauritius

Located right next to the main swimming pool of the Lux* Island Grand Gaube, The Bar is a lively hangout for guests to quench their thirst while lounging on comfortable sofas and bar stools facing the lagoon. Enjoy an extensive range of drinks, along with live music and entertainment.

• Lux* Island Grand Gaube, Pointe Rejane, Grand Gaube, Mauritius

Spirit Lounge & Bar

The Spirit Lounge & Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing drink and a cigar after what’s sure to have been another amazing day of poker. Elegant and refined, it offers the finest champagnes, caviar, cocktails and aperitifs to savor, while the talented local entertainers make every night one worth remembering.

• Lux* Island Grand Gaube, Pointe Rejane, Grand Gaube, Mauritius

Les Enfants Terribles

Are you and your friends looking for a great night out?

Look no further as Les Enfants Terribles is the place where the music is pumping and the lights are bright. Simply the biggest and the best club in the whole island nation of Mauritius!

• Royal Road, Pointe aux Canonniers, Mauritius

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 43

43

23/12/11 18:02

TOURNAMENT

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 44

23/12/11 18:02

EURO FINALS OF POKER AVIATION CLUB DE FRANCE

THE CONTINENTAL DIAMOND SERIES The Euro Finals Of Poker are coming soon! 10 European Champion titles will be granted for the 11 th edition of this great European tournament, held in the Aviation Club de France in Paris from the 13 th until 29 th January. These two weeks of poker in the prestigious French card room will be the occasion to play varied styles of poker and to multiply your chances to win one of the numerous competitions or satellites events. The climax of this amazing series will be on the 26th January, with the €5,000 No Limit Hold’em Diamond Championship, but you might also want to attend the European Poker Awards that will reward the most important poker personalities of the year on the 25th. Here’s the program!

S

Since 1999, the Aviation Club de France, the well-known card room located on the “most beautiful street in the world”, the Champs-Elysées, holds the Euro Finals Of Poker, one of the oldest annual poker series in Europe. For the first series of 2012, you’ll get two complete weeks entirely dedicated to poker in all styles of the game, featuring several tournaments with buy-ins ranking from €150 to €10,000, which will grant no less than 10 European titles, in NLHE, H.O.R.S.E. and PLO. The most prestigious events will be the €500 buy-in Bronze Championship on the 16th January, the €1,000 buy-in Silver Championship on the 18th January, the €2,000 buy-in Gold Championship on 20th January, and the €5,000 buy-in Diamond Championship on the 26th. Hey, and don’t miss the €10,000 buy-in High-Roller on the 28th...

Lots of poker stars, but also challengers and surprises

The best poker players have participated in this amazing series, such as the Franks Fabrice Soulier, Bertrand Grospellier, Jean-

By Steven Hall

Paul Pasqualini and Antoine Saout, the Britons Sam Trickett, Dave Ulliott and Ram Vaswani, the Dane Theo Jørgensen and the Spaniard Santiago Terrazas, as well as the poker’s most famous icon, the American Mike Sexton, and the Canadian Isabelle Mercier. The field is always very diverse and can be full of surprises.

Last year, Natalya Nikitina became the first lady to win the EFOP Diamond Championship, overtaking 187 opponents and earning €243,830 for her great performance. The Russian dominated a very cosmopolitan and tough final table, with really strong players coming from Italy, Germany, England, and France, such as Sam Trickett, Tobias Wagner, Benjamin Pollack and Alexandre Bivot, her last opponent, for a true European sized victory. The same year, the High-roller Event was won by Senegalese Imad Derwiche for €125,000. During the previous season, in 2010, the French player Hugo Lemaire confirmed his good live results after being one of the most successful European online players by winning the Diamond Event against his fellow countryman Eric Qu for €213,570.

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 45

45

23/12/11 18:02

TOURNAMENT

Everyone wants to be the European champion

The prestigious series attract players from all across Europe who want a share of the huge prize pools, but also the muchcoveted European championship title. French players are numerous each year for this European series, but the English are never very far. Massive crowds of English players take chance in Paris, and they get impressive results. Almost as many Englishmen have won the NLH events of the EFOP as the French. It’s a real war between these two countries on the poker tables but their fellow European neighbors are also there, and they too want the prize money and the title... The competition is harsh, the field is tough: it’s a real high-level series, exciting to play and captivating to watch.

Omaha, the French’s domination

Omaha is a completely different world, clearly dominated by the French. PLO is a very popular poker game in France, and the Aviation Club de France has been the place where the best local players like David Benyamine, Antony Lellouche

EFOP MAIN EVENT LIST OF WINNERS 2011: Natalya Nikitina: €243,830 2010: Hugo Lemaire: €177,000 2009: Dave Ulliott: €133,880 2007: Joe Grech: €132,400 2006: Jérôme Zerbib: €141,060 2006: Alexandre Nowak: €70,930 2005: Gilles Haddad: €81,000 2004: Paul Maxfield: €83,600 2003: Christer Johansson: €500,000 2002: Ram Vaswani: €107,500 2001: Alan Betson: FF935,000 2000: Mike Sexton: FF1,153,500 1999: Paul Testud: FF724,000

46 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 46

23/12/11 18:02

WHERE TO STAY? 1. Hotel California starting €240

2. Hotel Warwick starting €240

3. Royal Hotel starting €200

4. Hotel Napoleon starting €200

5. Hotel Balzac starting €300

6. Hotel Lord Byron starting €150

7. Hotel Mayflower starting €130

8. L’Arc Elysées starting €160

9. Hotel Lancaster starting €320

Join the crowds of players that will rush to the European Finals of Poker in Paris this January! and Fabrice Soulier have trained for years. Over the last five years, French players have always trusted the top places in Omaha Championship, and they are awaiting the next PLO events to confirm their supremacy in the European circuit.

Patrick Hanoteau will be there in January to defend his title, after his victory in 2011 for €17,490, as well as other former French champions.

H.O.R.S.E is also one of the favorites poker games of the French players, and Fabrice Soulier, winner of the 2011 $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship WSOP bracelet, will surely be in the Aviation Club de France to prove all his skills in this mix game.

So, if you want to live the first great series of poker of 2012 and maybe win a share of the huge prize pools or a European title in one of the most amazing cities in the world, hurry up and join the crowds of players that will rush to the European Finales of Poker in Paris this January!

PROGRAM • 13/01 Ladies Championship €150 • 14/01 Re-Entry Tournament, untill midnight €250 • 15/01 Seniors Championship €250 • 16/01 Bronze Championship €500 • 18/01 Silver Championship €1,000 • 20/01 Gold Championship €2,000 • 22/01 H.O.R.S.E Championship €250 • 24/01 Omaha Triple Chance Championship €1,000 • 26/01 Diamond Championship €5,000 • 28/01 High Roller €10,000 • 29/01 Omaha Hi-Lo Championship €250

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 47

47

23/12/11 18:02

TOURNAMENT

CASINOS AUSTRIA POKER TOUR

FIRST STEPS INTO

THE CAPT PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 48

23/12/11 18:02

For countless years Casinos Austria Poker Tour has been a landmark of the European poker scene. Its first festival in 2012 is located in Seefeld, from 20th until 29th January. Starting with a €500 deepstack, the festival’s highlight is undoubdtedly the CAPT 2012 Seefeld Main Event, a NLHE €2000 tournament which begins on 28th January and lasts two days.

W

By Steven Hall

Winter has come, and it is time to enjoy the best holidays ever: poker and skiing in one of the most beautiful ski spot in Europe, Seefeld. Located in Tirol, 20 kilometres from Innsbruk, it is one of the most popular Tyrolean tourist destinations especially for skiing in winter. The Nordic events at both the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics were hosted at Seefeld. The 1985 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships also took place here. World Cup competitions have been located here a number of times.

The alpine skiing area is small and appropriate for beginners.

There are two separate small areas that are not connected except by a ski bus or taxis. The terrain itself is quite good and there is good access to other facilities (walks, shops and the Olympia swimming complex).

HOW TO GET THERE? Arrival by aircraft

• Innsbruck Airport : 20km - 20min • München (D): 152km - 1:20

Arrival by car

• Innsbruck: 20km 20min • München (DE): 152km 1:20 • Milano (IT): 414km 4:15 • Venezia (IT): 403km 4h • Zürich (CH): 264km 3:10 • Stuttgart (DE): 304km 3:50 • Wien (AT): 495km 4:50 • Linz (AT): 333km 3:20 • Salzburg (AT): 203km 2h • Bregenz (AT): 159km 1:35

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 49

49

23/12/11 18:02

TOURNAMENT

A very professional festival

The “savoir-faire” of the CAPT teams do not have to be proven: it has now been years that every leg of this annual festival welcomes the best European poker players as well as top-notch German and Austrian stars of poker, like Sandra Naujoks. The structure of the Main Event is particularly interesting, with a starting stack of 15,000 chips and the possibility of a second chance, up to level 3. There are nine levels of play for Day 1, and the tournament starts at 2pm for everyone.

The Casino Seefeld

Cross-country ski trails and jackpot machines, carriage ride and roulette game in the cozy and elegant ambience. Whether as a conclusion of a sports day, crowning a romantic evening or after a cup of coffee, Casino Seefeld is always worth a visit. All those who stop here will find games, fun and excitement in a special atmosphere. In the midst of Seefeld’s pedestrian zone the casino still has many things to offer...

After a delicious Dinner & Casino evening with domestic or international specialties charming croupiers invite you to submit a detailed explanation of the games. Groups of guests entertained at a show tournament with pretty prices. At the «Münzturm» the slotmachines wait with attractive jaclpots. The casino bar with a

wonderful view over the park, is the best place for a rendezvous or a birthday party.

Some interesting side-events

The side-events program is also very interesting, with numerous satellites for the 1k and the 2k tournaments, starting at €150. The €1,000 tournament will begin on 25th January, whereas the €500 Deepstack features two Day 1s, with a re-entry option on 21st and 22nd. With a starting stack of 20,000 chips and a cap of 150 entries per day, no doubt that this Deepstack will be easily sold-out and feature a very interesting prize pool for all the players…

For Omaha lovers, a €500 PLO tournament is organized on 27 th January, with a second chance up to level 3.

The tournament will surely welcome about a hundred players, and will take place along other side-events, like a bounty (€350 NLHE, with a €50 bounty) or a NLHE €300 tournament, to welcome all the players busted from the Main Event. And for those who just want to have fun, the CAPT will organize a crazy “Players Party Night” for all the players and their companion on 25 th January! With the moon reflecting on the snow and the great amenities of the casino, it will be surely be a night to remember…

50 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 50

23/12/11 18:02

With the moon reflecting on the snow and the great amenities of the casino, it will be surely be a night to remember...

WHERE TO SLEEP ?

Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Royal Seefeld*****

The luxury Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Royal Seefeld in Tyrol is well worth a visit at any time of year. The Tyrolian Alps alone are enough reason to visit Austria. The Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Royal Seefeld promises an astonishing 3,500sqm dedicated to providing holistic well-being and natural health. There could be no better place to find relaxation at its best.

• Price per person/day from € 90

Hotel Eden****

Through the charm of tradition and the comfort of modern living, the day can be whiled away in style in a generously designed park landscape. In suites and rooms equipped to the most modern standards, your holiday dreams will also come true. While you’re playing at the tables or taking Austria in, expectations become reality in the exquisite designer atmosphere.

•Price per person/day from € 99

Krumers Post Hotel & Spa****

... enjoying, relaxing and discovering! Opposite of the Casino at the village square of Seefeld. All rooms, junior suites and suites have free internet access. The breathtaking spa area with more than 2,200sqm high above the rooftops of Seefeld is an invitation to relief stress and tension (pool and spa area for adults from 16 years only!). The first class chef will take care of your culinary well-being and spoile your taste buds.

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 51

51

23/12/11 18:02

TOURNAMENT

THE GREAT

EUROPEAN POKER TOUR SEASON 8 - COPENHAGEN

NORDIC SERIES

52 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 52

23/12/11 18:02

HOW TO GET THERE? Air

You can fly into Copenhagen International Airport which is conveniently located in Kastrup, 9km southeast of the city center.

Boat

Daily ferries connect Oslo to Copenhagen, and Bornholm to Copenhagen.

Train

Central Station (Hoved Banegården) is the terminal for westbound rail services from Sweden and eastbound from the Danish regions of Funen and Jutland, and night trains from Amsterdam, Basel, Berlin and Prague.

Fresh off of its French stop in Deauville, the PokerStars European Poker Tour will return to the Casino Copenhagen in the Danish capital for the eighth time for an amazing week of poker. Things will get serious on the 20th February with the DKK 35,000+DKK 2,250 Main Event that will attract, as every year, crowds of players coming from all around Scandinavia and beyond. Last season, Swedish player Michael Tureniec took DKK 3,700,000 back home to Stockholm. Will the Vikings dominate the field once again? Here are the main reasons for taking pot luck in Copenhagen in 2012.

T

The EPT has never missed a season in Copenhagen, and Scandinavians wouldn’t miss the Danish series for the world. All those Scandis form quite a tough field, and even though players from all around the world take their chances each year, only twice in eight seasons has the first place been won by a non-Scandinavian. Last year, Swedish pro Michael Tureniec survived a field of 448 opponents, beating countryman Per Linde after a hardfought heads-up duel lasting over three and a half hours to take down the EPT Copenhagen title and earn DKK 3,700,000 (€497,690). The year before, another Swede, young pro Anton Wigg, dominated a field of 423 players and won the DKK 3,675,000 prize.

By Julien Morello

A long gambling tradition, luxurious restaurants and hotels

There are many good reasons to join the Danish series: first of all, it is the opportunity to play high-level poker with top pros such as Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier, Peter Eastgate, Annette Obrestad and Gus Hansen. Second, there might only be one casino in Copenhagen, but it has been running for 110 years.

With such a long gambling tradition, the Danes really know their subject and always offer the perfect organization for the only Scandinavian stop on the EPT. Last but not least, it’s a great time to enjoy the winter wonderland in the beautiful, clean and walkable city of Copenhagen, which has the best restaurants in the world, some of the greatest designers’ hotels, and the magical amusement park Tivoli, with its gorgeous 19th century charm. So pack your coats and get ready for an amazing week!

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 53

53

23/12/11 18:02

TOURNAMENT

HOTELS Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel*****

The most convenient hotel option for tournament players is at the venue itself, the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel. On a clear day you can see Sweden from your room in this 26-story building. 260 rooms and suites offer refined comfort with unique designs and the most stylish Scandinavian décor. Special rates for EPT participants.

• Amager Boulevard 70, Copenhagen

The square****

This cool and trendy hotel is a design gem in down-town Copenhagen, just a stone’s throw from the casino. 267 stylish rooms, based around the square, are available for you to have a perfect sleep before heading across to the poker tables. Comfortable and affordable. Rooms from DKK 740.

• Rådhuspladsen 14

Hotel CHP Living***

This floating hotel is an experience in it’s self: close to the pulse of the casino yet relaxing by the water at the same time. A great combination of comfort and originality, with the city’s finest views. The sound of water and seagulls will tune your mind to unwind and prepare for new adventures that await you. Special rates for EPT participants.

• 1C Langebrogade, Copenhagen

No doubt you will find the perfect spot to enjoy high level poker during your stay in the Danish capital. Held og lykke!

All kind of events, for all kind of budgets

No less than 14 events will be held during this series along with the 5-Day DKK 35,000 + DKK 2,250 Main Event, with buy-ins ranking from DKK 2,200 + DKK 240, such as the Ladies Event and the Pot Limit Omaha Event, to DKK 50,000 + DKK 2,990 for the 2-Day High Roller Event, won last year by Anton Wigg, for DKK 324,000. Several Turbo and Bounty Events will be provided as well, alongside the traditional DKK 22,500 + DKK 1,500 Heads Up Event and the DKK 7,500 + DKK 500 Pot Limit Omaha Event.

No doubt about it, you will find the perfect spot to enjoy high level poker during your stay in the Danish capital.

Held og lykke!

54 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 54

23/12/11 18:02

RESTAURANTS Noma

While you’re in Copenhagen, why not try the best restaurant in the world? With two Michelin stars, two Best Restaurant in the World awards in 2010 and 2011, Noma will offer you the ultimate food experience. Scandinavian classics are revisited with a twist of genius for a transcendent meal you will never forget. DKK 745-DKK 1,150 • Strandgade 93

Kong Hans Kælder

LIST OF THE EPT MAIN EVENT WINNERS Season 1 - 2005

Located in the oldest building in Copenhagen, this astonishing one Michelin star restaurant has a gothic, medieval atmosphere and serves the most daring mix of French and Nordic cuisines. Luxury at its best, fantastic local meat and fish served in a fine and artistic way, it’s not food, it’s poetry. DKK 1,100-DKK 2,800 • Vingårdstræde 6, Copenhagen

(field: 156 players) 1st Noah Boeken, DKK 1,098,340 2nd Ram Vaswani, DKK 549,170 rd 3 Charalambos Xanthos, DKK 271,695

Dag H Café & Restaurant

(field: 228 players) 1st Mads Andersen, 2nd Edgar Skjervold, 3rd Marc Naalden,

Located by the northernmost lake in Copenhagen, the more affordable Dag H is the place to go for international classics and Danish cuisine, relaxed ambience and hearty meals. From Danish baked cod to American burgers and French foie gras, and a good selection of wines from around the world will assure you a quality, cozy diner.

DKK 150-DKK 350 • Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 38

NIGHTLIFE NASA Club

This club is the place to be to enjoy the best of Copenhagen’s nightlife.

With a futuristic design reminiscent of Stanley Kubricks “2001: A Space Odyssey” as well as white Japanese carp in a grand aquarium by the entrance, it will make you feel like you have entered the year 3000. Actors, models, artists, photographers and designers gather every night and party to the best music in town.

Gothersgade 8F, Copenhagen

Charlies Bar

If you’re a beer lover you must head to Charlies bar right away! It’s the only pub in the Danish Capital with at least 6 taps serving real ale from England and about ten other beers from around the world.

Great atmosphere, highly recommended.

Pilestræde 33, Copenhagen

Nimb Bar

Located in the enchanting Nimb complex in Tivoli Gardens, shaped like the most gorgeous Moor palace, this stunning ballroom bar is an attraction in itself. Kick-started by legendary bartender Angus Winchester, Nimb’s cocktails are seasonal, classically styled and wittily named (Pornstar Martini anyone?).

Ernstorffsgade 5, Copenhagen

Season 2 - 2006 DKK 2,548,040 DKK 1,401,422 DKK 716,636

Season 3 - 2007

(field: 400 players) 1st Magnus Petersson DKK 4,078,080 2nd Bertrand Grospellier, DKK 2,308,608 3rd Richard Toth, DKK 1,340,928

Season 4 - 2008

(field: 460 players) 1st Tim Vance, 2nd Søren Jensen, 3rd Magnus Hansen,

DKK 6,220,488 DKK 3,521,429 DKK 2,045,381

Season 5 - 2009 (field: 462 players) 1st Jens Kyllönen, 2nd Peter Hedlund, 3rd Anders Langset,

DKK 6,542,208 DKK 3,703,551 DKK 2,151,166

Season 6 - 2010 (field: 423 players) 1st Anton Wigg, 2nd Francesco de Vivo, 3rd Morten Klein,

DKK 3,675,000 DKK 2,275,000 DKK 1,400,000

Season 7 - 2011 (field: 449 players) 1st Michael Tureniec, 2nd Per Linde, 3rd John Eames,

DKK 3,700,000 DKK 2,450,000 DKK 1,400,000

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 55

55

23/12/11 18:03

TOURNAMENT

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 56

23/12/11 18:03

WORLD POKER TOUR LOS ANGELES POKER CLASSIC

THE WEST COAST

MAJOR TOURNAMENT The World Poker Tour L.A. Poker Classic is part of the major circuit since its creation ten years ago, and has been since its first edition in 2003, one of the most prestigious tournament series in the world. All the poker pros come each year to the Commerce Casino, the largest cardroom in the world, making its $10,000 Main Event title one of the most desired in the poker scene. The list of winners is just amazing: Phil Ivey, Gus Hansen, Antonio Esfandiari and Michael Mizrachi, all those poker superstars won the title in Los Angeles, overtaking tough fields including some of the best players of the planet. This season, action will run from 24th until 29th February. Are you ready for the greatest poker experience?

A

Alongside the Five Diamond World Poker Classic, the Legends of Poker and the WPT Championship, the WPT L.A. Poker Classic remains one of the most renowned series of the poker scene since the creation of the WPT circuit ten years ago. During one month, the Commerce Casino holds its biggest tournament series of the year and attracts crowds of players. Among them figures some of the best poker players in the world, as the list of players who made the money

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 57

By Steven Hall

since 2002 proves it: Gus Hansen, Carlos Mortensen, Barry Greenstein, Jennifer Harman, Antonio Esfandiari, David Benyamine, Andy Bloch, Michael Mizrachi, Erik Seidel, Scotty Nguyen, J.C. Tran, Phil Ivey, Phil Hellmuth, Jennifer Tilly, Bertrand Grospellier, Shawn Buchanan, Surinder Sunar, Eugene Katchalov, Hoyt Corkins, and Daniel Negreanu, all those top pros reached, at least once, the money of the $10,000 Main Event.

POKER 52 â‚Źuropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

57

23/12/11 18:03

TOURNAMENT

A time-honored series in a legendary casino

This time-honored Main Event offers some of the biggest first prizes of the world circuit, and it reached its record in 2007 when the American Eric Hershler bested a field of 791 players and grabbed $2,429,970 after a heads-up against his fellow countryman J.C. Tran. It provided memorable

With 2200 employees, the Commerce Casino of Los Angeles is a real little city victories for some of the best players of the planet as well, who have since entered the history of poker: The Great Dane in 2003, The Magician in 2004, The Grinder in 2005 and The Tiger Wood of Poker in 2008. These four champions felt the taste of victory in Los Angeles, and they achieved almost

$40 million profits combined in their live tournament, 11 WSOP bracelets and 26 WPT final tables so far. Their life changed right inside the Commerce.

The Commerce, a real little city

With 2200 employees, the Commerce Casino of Los Angeles is a real little city. Home to the biggest card room in the world, with all kinds of card games, poker and California Games, at all kind of limits, the complex of 6131 East Telegraph Road includes 200 rooms and suites in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, three huge restaurants and tableside dining, several shops and entertainment centers, many banquet rooms, a pool and sundeck, spa and beauty salon. It also hosts live boxing events as well as a poker university. The Commerce is not the Mecca of poker, it’s a sanctuary dedicated to poker players. And their annual festival will begin soon.

One month of games and a 6-Day Main Event

The 6-Day $10,000 Main Event will kick off on 24th February, but the 2012 L.A. Poker Classic will run from 17th January, with dozens of tournaments, shaped for all kinds of budgets,

58 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 â‚Źuropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 58

23/12/11 18:03

WPT LOS ANGELES POKER CLASSIC LIST OF WINNERS 2003 – Season 1

field 136 players 1st Gus Hansen 2nd Daniel Rentzer 2rd Andy Bloch

$532,490 $253,595 $125,460

field 382 players 1st Antonio Esfandiari 2nd Vinnie Vinh 3rd Mike Keohan

$1,399,135 $718,485 $359,245

2004- Season 2

2005 – Season 3 field 538 players 1st Michael Mizrachi 2nd Haralabos Voulgaris 3rd Hung La

$1,859,909 $904,122 $444,312

field 692 players 1st Alan Goehring 2nd Daniel Quach 3rd Michael Woo

$2,391,550 $1,162,560 $571,315

field 791 players 1st Eric Hershler 2nd J C Tran 2rd Jacobo Fernandez

$2,429,970 $1,177,010 $607,490

2006 – Season 4

2007 – Season 5

with all kinds of poker games: No Limit Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, H.O.R.S.E, Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo, Omaha Hi/ Lo, 2/7 Triple Draw, Chinese Poker, Pot Limit Omaha and even Eight Game Mix, the LAPC is the West Coast poker festival. The end of the series will be highlighted by the 2-Day WPT Celebrity Invitational, the $2,000 NLHE Ironman Event, the $2,575 6-Handed Event, the $1,300 Heads-up Championship, the $5,000 NLHE Event and, last but not least, the $25,000 Commerce High Roller Event, running over three days. Last year, Erik Seidel won $144,570, Bertrand Grospellier $146,055 and Darren Elias $153,975, after a day dream tournament.

Indeed, the Main Event will keep all the attention during six days. The tension will be at its top as players, TV cameras and crowds of spectators fill up the poker room. The starting stakes will have 30,000 chips, and the two Day 1s will last 5 levels of 90 minutes each. Then, Day 3 will play down to the money, and if you’ve been able to make that far, you’ll then have made a big step to enter the poker history yourself. May your stay in the City of Angels be full of fun and success!

2008 – Season 6 field 665 players 1st Phil Ivey 2nd Quinn Do 3rd Charles Moore

1,596,100 $909,400 $625,630

field 696 players 1st Cornel Andrew Cimpan 2nd Binh Nguyen 3rd Mike Sowers

$1,686,760 $935,424 $654,797

field 745 players 1st Andras Koroknai 2nd Raymond Dolan 3rd Tri Huynh

$1,788,001 $1,002,710 $665,136

field 681 players 1st Gregory Brooks 2nd Vivek Rajkumar 3rd Carlos Mortensen

$1,654,120 $908,730 $640,680

2009 – Season 7

2010 – Season 8

2011 – Season 9

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 59

59

23/12/11 18:03

TOURNAMENT

HOTELS

Crowne Plaza Commerce Casino Hotel

With 184 rooms and 9 suites, lush gardens and impressive accommodations within minutes of LA’s best, this Babylonian-style hotel is the best in the Los Angeles area.

Guests can easily venture to Commerce Casino, within the hotel, or take the free shuttle service to the Citadel Outlets. And if you’re not lucky at poker, you can make the best of your stay and go downtown. Staples Arena, LA Live, Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood, are all close by. Special rates for WPT participants.

• 6131 Telegraph Rd, Commerce

DoubleTree Commerce Hotel

The DoubleTree hotel is owned by the Hilton group, which guaranties comfort, luxury and great facilities. Nestled

inside the historic walls of the Citadel Outlet Mall, just two blocks from the Commerce Casino, it is a perfect option for those who don’t want to worry about anything but the game. Enjoy a great night’s sleep on the signature Sweet Dreams bedding, and then be whisked away in their complimentary shuttle for door to door service to the casino, ready to knock out everyone at your table.

Rooms from $85.

• 5757 Telegraph Road, Commerce

Quality Inn & Suites Montebello

Just 3 kilometers from the casino, the Quality Inn & Suites Montebello is an affordable option, with good facilities such as an outdoor heated pool an exercise room and all the modern conveniences you’ll need. Rooms from $70.

• 7709 Telegraph Rd, Montebello

60 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 60

23/12/11 18:03

RESTAURANTS

NIGHT LIFE

Manhattan Deli Restaurant & Bakery

The Arena Sports Bar & Grill

You can order food at your poker table at the Commerce casino, but if you want to go to a restaurant, the Manhattan Deli is the closest option. Located in the Lobby of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, it’s the best place to enjoy hearty burgers, cakes or pastries. $11-$30.

• Crown Plaza Hotel, 6131 E Telegraph Rd, Commerce

Terra Nova Lounge

Multiple large screens display all kinds of sporting events while costumers enjoy drinks and the casual atmosphere.

Every Thursday evening brings a comedy show and DJ sets to dance the game’s tension away on upbeat dance music. Also live bands on weekends.

Commerce casino, 6131 E Telegraph Rd, Commerce

Avalon Hollywood Night Club

The restaurant of the DoubleTree Hotel offers excellent breakfast, lunch and dinner. The international menu will satisfy all your cravings, from American steak to Sicilian salmon and French filet-mignon. One of the best options in the area. $25-$50.

DoubleTree Hotel, 5757 Telegraph Road, Commerce

If you’re sleepless and you want to discover Los Angeles’ vibrant nightlife, the best place to go is Avalon. This night club has seen everything, from the Beatles’ first west coast appearance in 1964 to the world’s greatest DJs. If you want to live the craziest night ever, join the crowds that gather to dance to the best electronic music in town!

• 1735 Vine Street, Hollywood

Stevens Steak and Seafood House

Canter’s

Instilled with a low-key elegance, the 1960s landmark is the temple of delicious meat and fresh seafood. Enjoy the best huge American dinner ever. The atmosphere is warm and can get festive on Sunday nights, when dancers from across the metropolis gather for salsa lessons. $25-$50.

• 5332 Stevens Pl, Commerce

Open 24/7, this Jewish deli is a must-see. Celebrities like John Travolta, Elvis Presley and Brad Pitt as well as mobsters’ call this their favorite hangout in town; it has been featured in many TV shows and became a real institution.

• 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 61

61

23/12/11 18:03

62 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 62

23/12/11 18:03

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 63

63

23/12/11 18:03

TONY G.

MEET THE

CHRONICLE TONY G

FRENCH GUY

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 64

I recently got to meet Thibaud Guenegou, who has given me faith that French poker is on the up and up. I heard he is a fan of Enrique Iglesias. Yes, “I can be your hero baby, I can wash away your tears,” here is the next generation. This man is the bwin.fr poker hero – just to be called a poker hero is good enough for me! Who said the days of great sponsorship packages were over? He won a €100,000 package beating 100 players and convincing a jury – to top this, he did it up the Eiffel Tower. Who said French poker players could never reach such heights?

23/12/11 18:03

Anyway Thibaud, it was nice to chat to you – you went deeper than me at the WSOPE Main Event but just remember you may be some hero in your country but you should aim to become a worldwide super hero. You also smashed it up at WPT Amneville. Did Superman save France? No, he saved the world and he came from Kryptonite and not Paris. Poker needs a hero – now go and get them, I can’t do it on my own! The true test of whether you are a real hero will come in 2012. Phil Hellmuth would agree with me (which is rare) that players often explode on to the scene but it is being around in five - ten years and consistently winning that is the most important thing.

As I write this I am looking forward to Christmas and a visit to the Aussie Millions in 2012. I heard all the big businessmen are coming from Macau – it is going to be a feast. I am getting increasingly irritated by the fact that I am not invited to these big games in Macau and am considering a protest there (involving having my own pet pandas) – I need to resolve this at Crown in Melbourne.

Thibaud, if you are such a hero, can you fix this for me?

Why don’t they let me in? I am fun for the game and a lot of people mistakenly call me a whale fish? Why don’t I qualify?

One person I am definitely after is Daniel “Jungleman” Cates – he challenged the world and I am willing to take him on down under – 100k heads-up is fine by me. I heard his live play wasn’t that impressive at WPT Prague, so I definitely feel I have an edge. I have my people trying to make this happen. Jungleman wants to be a poker hero and save the world – I am going to show him what being a real hero means (note this down Thibaud) and clean him out! Who is the real king of the jungle? I think you all know the answer to that question!

Last year I took a dog with me into the 100k event but

this year the private jet is on standby for Zasko – I want him to enjoy the relaxing wild land of New Zealand in an exclusive resort – it could make him less aggressive. After a winter sat on frozen lakes in Lithuania hunting fish in vain most of the time he needs the five star treatment.

At the Aussie Millions I intend to play most events – it is without doubt one of the greatest tournaments in the world and the Crown hospitality is first class. They are even willing to put on the G v Jungleman show – very accommodating and open-minded - this event qualifies (and you can do that on PartyPoker.fr now). Once I have made enough money to feed Zasko and all the wolves in Lithuania I intend to head to Europe and to the WPT Venice in early February. This one is for TV so I am looking forward to all the showboaters and Americans coming along (whoever called me a showboater?). I am also intending to spend some time in the USA in early 2012. Don’t worry, France is definitely on the agenda for 2012 – Bruno Fitoussi’s cognac at the Aviation Club is outstanding and there is little doubt in my mind that the players there could have improved greatly in the past 12 months. I also heard that Bruno had Hellmuth over there and that the G is needed – just remember who the real hero is!

The bottom line though is I don’t skip France unless I really have too. I go where the best opportunities to make money are!

For those of you that have not seen I have released a pop record aiming for number one in the Christmas charts. Check out You Tube and search for Tony G – I’m Qualified. I wish you all the best for 2012 – to paraphrase the great Mike Sexton - may your bike rides be long and your poker be qualified!

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 65

65

23/12/11 18:03

FABRICE

l” SOULIER

u “Fabso

ON THE RUN

Sometimes poker and life suck. Sometimes the feeling lasts for days, weeks, even

months and the cards’ gremlin is still there… Your stack is not even average, nor better than the starting stack, or as if by miracle, chips start flying away to the other player

like lightning. Even if you keep on grinding for three or four hours, there will always be a big set-up where you can bust on a single hand. That’s poker, as they say, and poker

C H R O N I C L E FA B R I C E S O U L I E R

pros have to deal with it anyway.

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 66

Doyle is almost 80 year-old and he’s still a shark in the cash-game... He is a truly a dedicated player to the poker cause and I wish I could grow old like him

23/12/11 18:03

It is thus very important to struggle and keep up the good work, so that your bad run does not become a complete nightmare. It has now been three months since I finished ITM in more than 20 tournaments… For example during EPT Prague, I lost in a row KK, QQ, AA and AK, and it was always during perfect set-ups where I could not avoid it.

Here is an example of a sick hand I had to endure at the very beginning of the EPT. With the 30,000 chips starting stack, I open KK, all red. I re-raise 250 in MP, button calls, BB 3-bets up to 900. I 4-bet him to 2250, button folds and BB 5-bets to 7000. Ouch! It’s very expensive at the beginning of a tournament, and I even considered folding that hand, but I finally remembered that often during those EPTs, qualifiers often play their hand overaggressively. I thus called to see the flop: Ad, Qd and a 5.

My opponent bets a ridiculously low amount: 1750 in a 14,000 pot! Two solutions: either he hates the flop, or he just wants to keep me in the hand. I flat call. The turn is a third diamond, the Jd. It opens up many draws to me, and even the Royal Flush. He bets 4500 into the 17,500 pot, which gives me perfect odds. I decided to call. The river is… king of spade. Strangely enough he decides to check, and I follow suite. He opens AA for trips on the flop… It would have been hard to lose less than this —or I should have folded on the flop.

Those tricky hands have been my daily meat: set-ups, missed draws, missed flops, etc. And as I have just noticed, it is very hard to play your best poker then. It is the well-known vicious circle of the bad-run: no A-game is possible when you lose your trust in your game. For example, when you are pretty sure your opponent is bluffing, you do not dare raising. It happens to me very rarely (I try to force myself to take the best decision) but it does happen. I do not know where those cycles are coming from, but it’s like an algorithm, like maths…

Hopefully I had a good time on the circuit: some nice poker holidays in the paradise island of St Marten, and also the finale table of my French buddy, Nicolas Levi,

who finished 3rd in EPT Prague. That was such a magical moment for all of us! When such exhilaration happens, it reminds me why I still play poker after all these years.

Hopefully, my past bad runs were worse than nowadays: I’m lucky enough to be sponsored by Everest Poker and I can thus endure the financial loss of a bad series. I also have to admit that 2011 has been my best year ever, and many of you may laugh at my complains! And damn right, but one does not change: I am a terrible loser and in tournament poker, it’s sometimes hard to live through all those losses.

Though, I have to admit that I worked a lot to not be as terrible as before: ten years ago, when I went busto, I could crush chairs, throw a punch in the wall or break doors (I told you I was THAT terrible!). Now I just mumble some polite good bye and I leave the tournament room without any other words.

Now I am in Las Vegas to play the Epic League’s new leg.

Of course I busted on Day 1, and it makes me sad because I would have liked so much to feel the taste of another EPL finale table. I was happy enough to be upgraded to a crazy 150sqm penthouse suite on the top of the Palms Hotel where I could admire Vegas. I also had time to go back to the grind in cash-games at the Bellagio for the mixed-games limit. No 150/300 or 200/400 nowadays, just 40/80 and 80/160 which have been so far soooo good to me! I like so much the mixed-games for cash-games, I wish I could forget all my tournaments out there!

I also had the honour to witness Doyle Brunson’s special ceremony for the opening of the EPIC festival. The speeches from his friends were really moving —especially Barry Greenstein and Jennifer Harman, and I have so much respect for this great man and icon. Doyle is almost 80 year-old and he’s still a shark in the cash-game… He is a truly a dedicated player to the poker cause and I wish I could grow old like him, always sharp. I do hope that you’ll enjoy a wonderful year in 2012 and that I’ll see you around the poker tables —especially the finale one!

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 67

67

23/12/11 18:03

STRATEGY

HIGH ROLLER

BRUNO “KING” FITOUSSI

A QUICK BUST

T

Enter the mind of Bruno “King” Fitoussi whilst playing a hand, and follow his analysis “in the tank”. For this issue, let’s go back in time, to the FPT High Roller tournament where Bruno plays Level 2 of Day 1.

The France Poker Masters, a NLHE ‬2,500 event, is considered to be the high roller event of the FPT, the historical French amateur poker championship. I am now playing Level 2, during Day 1, and my 36,000 chips are just below the average stack. I receive A3 hearts in MP, and decide to raise. The player on my left folds and the hi-jack re-raises to 1500. He is a very active player, and it’s now been 30 minutes that we are playing together. On the button, an older and wiser player flat calls. SB and BB fold and I finally decide to call the 1000 remaining chips. There are 4800 chips in the pot now.

Flop comes: 7x – 8h – 10h

Seat 2 Call : 1,500

I am the first to act, and I check. The hi-jack bets 2500, but the button, after serious thinking, decides to raise him to 8500. I can only imagine he has a straight or trips, because I don’t think he would make this move with a flush draw. There are now 15,800 chips in the middle.

With 34,500 chips as the stack, I feel involved in the hand with my flush draw max. If I re-raise, I don’t think that the button will fold anyway, and I still have no clue what the hi-jack can have because he just did a classic continuation bet. With my draw, it’s better for the odds not to scare him too much… I will also be able to fold my hand on the turn if the flush does not

Bruno Fitoussi Raise : 500

Seat 1 Re-Raise: : 1,500

68 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 68

23/12/11 18:03

FRANCE POKER TOUR – HIGH-ROLLER € 2,500 STARTING STACK

40,000 CHIPS

BRUNO FITOUSSI’S STACK

ABOUT 36,000 CHIPS

LEVEL 2, DAY 1

100/200

POSITION

MIDDLE-POSITION

HAND

arrive; I’d still have 26,000 chips, which equals 130BB! Thus, I flat call the 8500 in this huge hand for this deepstack tournament.

Surprisingly enough, the hi-jack who just had bet 2500 decides to go all-in, 30,000 total. The button seems to be very annoyed by this move because he has a good hand for sure, but not the nuts. The hi-jack represents straight max or top set. I don’t think he has the low straight with 6-9, because he would not have re-raised pre-flop with it. I don’t think he is on a flush draw as well because he would analyse the hand the same way I did, and would have just called in this situation. But he knows now for sure I have such a hand, because my call does not represent straight, double pair or set.

Finally, the button player goes all-in as well, 33,000 total. There are now 76,000 chips in the middle and I have to call 24,500 (I’d still have a 500 chip left). As I’m pretty sure they have straight or top set, I now have 8 outs, without the 7 of heart, to win the hand. That means around 25% and

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 69

A

3

the odds are thus interesting. Moreover, this kind of situation suits me: I am very active at the beginning of a tournament, playing marginal hands —small pairs to do some set mining, or drawing hands— so that I can build up a huge stack during the early levels and use it the following days. I prefer to gamble and take the risks at the beginning, not during the finale table… Here, I have the opportunity to triple up and move above 100,000 chips, becoming the chipleader. With my flush draw max, I can beat sets and straights.

I call. My analysis was pretty correct: the button has a set of 8s, and the hi-jack shows Jack9… of hearts! Unfortunately, this means three hearts less for my draw, as the queen of hearts would have given him a straight flush. I only have five remaining outs, which means 16% of chance to win the hand. None of those cards come on turn or river and I bust early this tournament…

23/12/11 18:04

YOU ARE THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR SERIES 4

CHRONICLE HENDONMOB

ALL THE PLAYERS ON ONE TABLE TAKE AN UNSCHEDULED BREAK This one was posted on the Mob Forum by Danmonkey “Okay, happened to me tonight and I have never before seen anything like it: Ten pound (£10) NLH rebuy tournament at a casino. 48 runners, £1500 prize pool (300,000 chips in play), pays 6 places – tournament is self deal (player dealt) until the 9-handed final.

There are 11 players left in on two tables. 18 minutes left on the clock at 800/1600 before a scheduled 10 minute break.

The table of 5 simultaneously ‘decide’ to all go to the toilet and get up and walk off. They don’t return for 10 minutes. All their chips and cards are left on the table and with no players left, obviously no hands are dealt. I was shocked.

What do you do?

Would your ruling be any different if it wasn’t self dealt and all the 5 players did the same thing?

dealer should call the TD who should rule that the dealer keeps dealing no matter what. I have no experience in self deal tournaments but this situation would clearly be unfair to the other table. As it is so close to the final table the players would normally watch the other table carefully and shout if the other table takes an unscheduled break and the TD would have to stop the clock. Now that 10 minutes has passed I would stop the game on the 6 handed table for 10 minutes and I would let the 5 handed table play for 10 minutes to catch up, then continue together.

No prizes for guessing which table I was sat at!”

Matt Savage

First of all I would make the other table stop dealing as well and then give them a break and then skip the scheduled break. Upon their return I would ask them what in the heck are they thinking and more importantly did they remember to wash their hands?

Thomas Kremser

In a tournament with a dealer this situation would never happen because the dealer will keep dealing until the end of the round. If players decide to stand up all together, the

Jack Effel

Because the tournament is self dealt, players at the other table should stop play and freeze the clock until all players return from their toilet break. That would be in all fairness and in the best interest of the tournament. If at least two players have returned after five minutes or a reasonable amount of time, they should resume play and pass the deal. If not, suggest having a person who is not involved in the tournament act as a dealer and resume play.

If this were a tournament being dealt by dealers and all the players decided to take an unscheduled break, I would rule to stop play at the second table, and make an announcement for

70 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 70

23/12/11 18:04

How many times have you sat down at the start of an Multi Table Tournament and heard someone joke: ‘Why don’t we all pass the blinds round all day so that we all get into the money?

all players to return to their seats within five minutes. After five minutes, I would resume play and have the dealer blind off anyone not present.

Nicolas Fraioli

We don’t have any self deal tables (tournaments or cash games) at the Aviation Club De France.

In this case I would tell the dealer from the other table to stop dealing and to take the break now, because the players on this table shouldn’t be disadvantaged playing more hands than the other players. My decision would be that all the players who left the table would get a penalty of one orbit as soon as we reach the final table.

Dave Simpson

All players are entitled to leave the table as they wish. However, in any tournament if the clock is running the tournament continues regardless of how many players are present at the table.

If there are no players at the table in a dealer dealt competition all blinds and antes are collected as normal, the hand is dealt and if no player is present at the conclusion of the deal this will become a dead pot. It will carry on in this manner, creating several dead pots. If a player is all in in one pot and not present for the end of the deal of the next hand he is eliminated from the tournament.

In a self deal tournament the blinds and antes would be posted according to how many hands had been played on the corresponding table in this period creating a large dead pot and possible elimination for anyone short stacked.

This also comes with a recommendation - travel a little further to an establishment that is dealer dealt.

Tab Duchateau

All players at a table taking an unscheduled break during a tournament cannot be tolerated. I don’t have any instances where a dealer wouldn’t be present, so my ruling would only be a dealer in the box ruling. I would have the dealer continue to deal…. shuffle, get antes and blinds, deal the cards out, then take the antes and blinds for each hand, until a player returned, out of play. The players would find fewer chips in their stacks upon their return, and I imagine they wouldn’t try that again.

THE MOB VERDICT

How many times have you sat down at the start of an Multi Table Tournament and heard someone joke: ‘Why don’t we all pass the blinds round all day so that we all get into the money?’

Well, you like to think it’s a joke. It sounds as though someone on the table made a similar suggestion and through a kind of naive deviousness they convinced themselves they could slip off unnoticed and come back when they were all in the final.

Or maybe they really did just take an unscheduled toilet break and didn’t consider the other table.

Either way, this amounts to a stroke and we sympathise with those TDs who want to penalise them in some way. However, the most important thing is to ensure that the remaining table is not disadvantaged in any way. We think that Thomas described perfectly what needs to be done to rectify matters. Having the five handed table play on it’s own for ten minutes to ‘catch up’ could result in an unusual situation where one or more players were knocked out and the tables could not be balanced or merged, but the chance of players being knocked out during those ten minutes is precisely why it is the correct and fair thing to do.

It should also be said that the action taken by the five handed table can be viewed as a form of collusion. The tournament director should take a view of how cynical and deliberate their action was. If he wants to give them the benefit of any doubt he should at least issue a warning with any further infraction resulting in time penalties or even removal from the tournament.

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 2012 // ISSUE 3 POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 71

71

23/12/11 18:04

2011

RANKING

EUROPEAN POKER RANKING FROM JAN. 1ST 2011 TO DEC. 15TH 2011 With Pius Heinz winning the WSOP Main Event, no doubt he is number one for Europe in our ranking! And, of course, we find just after him another European hero from the WSOP Main Event, Martin Stazko. Sam Trickett, the new British star, had a very different way to go up to third place, winning several tournaments and cashing in numerous other festivals, like his followers, Eugene Katchalov, Chris Moorman or Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier. More than 25 European players have hit the million mark this year, which makes it the best year ever in our ranking!

Congrats to you all, and let’s meet in 2012 for even better results...

Hanking Country

Player

Player

Gains (en $)

8,830,087

21

Danyel Boyaciyan

1,257,411

Martin Staszko

5,462,876

22

Martin Schleich

1,245,687

Sam Trickett

4,598,039

23

Fabrice Soulier

1,057,215

2,572,726

24

James Keys

1,055,001

1

Pius Heinz

2 3 4

Eugene Katchalov

Gains (en $)

Hanking Country

5

Chris Moorman

2,324,030

25

Martin Finger

1,037,916

6

Bertrand Grospellier

2,296,620

26

Alessio Isaia

1,019,334 1,019,250

7

Andrey Pateychuk

2,085,013

27

Anton Makiievskyi

8

Anton Ionel

1,846,025

28

James Dempsey

9

Eoghan O'Dea

1,803,928

29

Tony Bloom

964,296

10

Benjamin Spindler

1,796,226

30

Sam Holden

937,900

11

Max Heinzelmann

1,640,961

31

Mikhail Lakhitov

907,648

12

Max Lykov

1,606,780

32

Roger Hairabedian

903,707

977,373

13

Oleksii Kovalchuk

1,600,782

33

Tamas Lendvai

901,246

14

Philipp Gruissem

1,589,880

34

Niall Smyth

897,961

15

David Benyamine

1,529,171

35

Dimitar Danchev

858,615

16

Rupert Elder

1,487,866

36

Sami Kelopuro

855,230

17

Lucien Cohen

1,394,310

37

Antonin Teisseire

850,859

18

Torsten Brinkmann

1,372,978

38

Carlos Mortensen

850,708

19

Jake Cody

1,335,744

39

Marvin Guido Rettenmaier

827,952

20

Martin Jacobson

1,334,943

40

Michael Tureniec

823,172

72 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 72

23/12/11 18:04

Hanking Country

Player

Gains (en $)

41

Adrien Allain

42

Yevgeniy Timoshenko

43

Alexander Kuzmin

44

Hasan Alexander Anter

784,333

Hanking Country

Player

Gains (en $)

87

Eros Nastasi

792,081

88

Sadan Turker

382,052

790,990

89

Thorsten Schafer

381,044

90

Grzegorz Cichocki

374,808

793,883

382,535

45

Dragan Kostic

773,333

91

Samad Razavi

370,189

46

Dmitry Gromov

771,856

92

John Shipley

369,575

47

Moritz Kranich

744,378

93

Danilo Donnini

364,694

48

Igor Kurganov

738,269

94

Ronan Collet

363,306

49

Juha Helppi

736,914

95

Aleksandr Mozhnyakov

361,380

50

Roberto Romanello

732,199

96

Richard Ashby

355,914

51

Mustapha Kanit

696,058

97

Tom Middleton

355,402

52

Andrey Danilyuk

682,523

98

Julien Claudepierre

353,871

53

Vladimir Geshkenbein

626,494

99

Thomas Wahlroos

353,861

54

John Eames

620,582

100

Alexander Kostritsyn

353,277

55

Per Linde

613,258

101

Benjamin Pollak

347,398

56

Rob Akery

608,604

102

Kenny Hallaert

346,763

57

Raul Mestre

601,524

103

Alexander Debus

339,625

58

Zimnan Ziyard

590,088

104

Elie Payan

338,628

59

Juan Maceiras Lapido Jr.

580,542

105

Kaspars Renga

338,126

60

Vadim Kursevich

573,509

106

Francesco De Vivo

337,831

61

Hugo Lemaire

568,798

107

Sebastian Winkler

336,648

62

Nicolas Levi

568,484

108

★ ★★

Jan Bendik

335,181

63

Vadim Shlez

559,821

109

Anton Wigg

334,745

64

Govert Metaal

557,767

110

Natalya Nikitina

334,077

65

Maksim Kolosov

526,042

111

Guillem Usero

333,599

66

Lars Bonding

513,802

112

Lukas Berglund

327,546

67

Surinder Sunar

507,211

113

Fabian Quoss

327,371

68

Alexander Dovzhenko

503,651

114

Tomeu Gomila

69

Kevin Vandersmissen

497,863

115

Basil Yaiche

70

William Thorson

494,364

116

Guillaume Darcourt

321,927 320,659 317,765

71

Vyacheslav Zhukov

492,319

117

Tobias Reinkemeier

316,864

72

Pieter-Michael De Goede

489,998

118

Jussi Nevanlinna

314,406

73

Ronny Kaiser

471,437

119

Hauke Heseding

313,822

74

David Vamplew

470,294

120

Dimitry Stelmak

313,678

75

John Paul Kelly

464,871

121

Luca Pagano

310,616

76

Andre Klebanov

464,584

122

Alexandre Brivot

310,501

77

Erich Kollmann

457,480

123

Michael Gathy

307,819

78

Dermot Blain

455,304

124

Frederic Magen

304,481

79

Sebastian Ruthenberg

442,238

125

Raigo Aasmaa

304,356

80

Julian Kabitzke

433,407

126

David Sonelin

303,130

81

Dominik Nitsche

432,029

127

Domenico Cordi

302,937

82

Barny Boatman

425,161

128

Kimmo Matias Kurko

301,903

83

Szabolcs Mayer

417,540

129

Alain Roy

300,712

84

Juan Manuel Pastor

391,996

130

Jon Spinks

300,219

85

Andrey Zaichenko

386,256

131

Nikolay Evdakov

297,507

86

Simon Ravnsbaek

385,873

132

Massimiliano Martinez

297,404

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 73

73

23/12/11 18:04

RANKING Hanking Country

Player

Gains (en $)

Hanking Country

Player

Gains (en $)

133

Max Silver

295,921

179

Mads Wissing

238,891

134

Andras Kovacs

294,197

180

Dario Alioto

237,096

135

Zoltan Szabo

292,539

181

Yorane Kerignard

236,661

136

Warren Wooldridge

291,326

182

Dominykas Karmazinas

236,315

137

Robbie Verspui

291,207

183

Marton Czuczor

236,011

138

Jean Luc Marais

288,915

184

Mikica Mitrovic

235,608

139

Guillaume Humbert

288,545

185

Toby Lewis

235,594

140

Patrik Antonius

288,362

186

F. A. Fontoura Brito

234,693

141

Andrea Dato

288,269

187

Vincenzo Scarpitti

234,602

142

Jean Noel Thorel

287,578

188

Edoardo Alescio

234,597

143

Gus Hansen

283,966

189

Martins Adeniya

234,316

144

Davidi Kitai

283,225

190

Gianluca Speranza

234,294

145

Dmitry Vitkind

282,615

191

Sigurd Andreas Eskeland

232,610

146

Khiem Nguyen

281,494

192

Vladimir Schemelev

232,061

147

Kristijonas Andrulis

274,592

193

Ruben Visser

148

Max Pescatori

273,255

194

Arnaud Mattern

230,035

231,378

148

Daniel Drescher

273,255

195

Antonio Dieguez Rodriguez

228,926

150

Adrien Braesco

272,351

196

Maurizio Musso

227,402

151

Antony Lellouche

271,560

197

Cecilia Pescaglini

226,975

152

Armin Mette

270,132

198

Natale Albanese

226,538

153

Julien Jolivet

270,127

199

Konstantin Puchkov

226,103

154

Koen De Visscher

269,732

200

Michel Leibgorin

225,433

155

Darren Woods

269,524

201

Jean-Philippe Rohr

225,101

156

Massimiliano Manigrasso

268,670

202

Eric Haik

224,501

157

Denys Drobyna

268,641

203

Casey Kastle

223,369

158

Jani Sointula

267,597

204

Oleg Ohotskiy

221,938

159

Christophe Lesage

266,219

205

Kent Lundmark

219,988

160

Aleksi Savela

264,749

206

Jean-Baptiste Tomi

219,586

161

James Bord

264,540

207

Walter Ferrero

217,447

162

Martin Petri

260,044

208

Annette Obrestad

216,911

163

Carlos Lopes

257,926

209

Mario Adinolfi

215,618

164

Walter Treccarichi

256,952

210

Ondrej Vinklarek

214,558

165

JC. Olivier Rene Ouin

256,774

211

Ana Laura Marquez Esteban

212,760

166

Jean-Paul Pasqualini

256,235

212

Ruben Sanchez Cebollada

212,246

167

Praz Bansi

256,137

213

Alessandro De Michele

211,438

168

Markus Onni Antero Ristola

255,822

214

Pierre Neuville

211,005

169

Thibaud Guenegou

255,278

215

Stanislaw Kretz

210,568

170

Alexander Kravchenko

251,748

216

Paul Vas Nunes

210,429 209,480

171

Selim Oulmekki

251,267

217

Seamus Cahill

172

Mikko Sundell

250,046

218

Tristan Clemencon

207,801

173

Andrew Teng

245,899

219

Dan Murariu

207,130

174

Joep van den Bijgaart

245,731

220

Nichlas Mattsson

207,097

175

Stephen Chidwick

245,593

221

Omar Karib

206,530

176

Ricky Hale

245,409

222

Alexandre Coussy

205,009

177

Giacomo Maisto

244,249

223

Ilyasov Timur

203,787

178

Mattias Bergstrom

242,263

224

Adrien Garrigues

203,786

74 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 â‚Źuropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 74

23/12/11 18:04

Hanking Country

Player

Gains (en $)

Hanking Country

Player

Gains (en $)

225

Nicolas Cardyn

202,507

271

Rocco Palumbo

172,802

226

Arcangelo Anservino

202,134

272

Miikka Anttonen

171,685

227

Matt Perrins

201,129

273

Ludovic Lacay

171,616

228

James Mitchell

200,773

274

Matthias Kurtz

171,177

229

Philip Hammerling

199,650

275

Michele Dattani

170,889

230

Vincenzo Natale

199,592

276

Andrew Moseley

170,425

231

Patrik Hirvonen

199,497

277

Jean-Louis Tepper

170,359

232

Michele Di Lauro

196,600

278

Alessandro Fasolis

169,850

233

Guillaume Lamour

195,723

279

Manig Loeser

169,676

234

Shander De-Vries

195,215

280

John Kabbaj

169,148

235

Marco Mancini

193,604

281

Mateusz Moolhuizen

167,862

236

Stephane Albertini

193,362

282

Dmitry Klemeshev

167,700

237

Stefan Huber

192,830

283

Vitaly Lunkin

166,203

238

Costantino Russo

192,048

284

Fabienne Graffouillere

166,104

Ognjen Sekularac

191,994

285

Jonas Garstick

166,002

240

Philip Meulyzer

191,503

286

Clemens Manzano

165,589

241

Joel Nordkvist

189,966

287

Giacomo Loccarini

165,388

242

Martin Hanowski

189,875

288

Andreas Wiese

243

Taramas Ioannis

189,813

289

Morten Mortensen

244

Álvaro Santamaría

189,717

290

Joel Dodds

239

★ ★★

164,179 164,040 161,805

245

Joni Jouhkimainen

189,338

291

Florian Schleps

161,714

246

Roberto Nulli

187,628

292

Maksim Panyak

161,082

247

Jude Ainsworth

185,985

293

Ramzi Jelassi

160,979

248

Attilio Donato

185,293

294

Lauri Varonen

160,358

249

Oleg Prohorov

184,982

295

Laurent Polito

160,294

250

Eddy Sadoun

184,805

296

Mathew Frankland

160,245

251

Nicolo Calia

184,425

297

Raul Paez Corral

159,779

252

Adrian Bussman

184,043

298

Alex Bolotin

159,686

253

Jonathan Layani

183,247

299

Harald Olsen

159,134

254

Vojtech Ruzicka

182,530

300

Richard Fridvalszki

158,981

255

Stefan Rapp

181,019

301

Nikolas Liakos

158,838

256

Sallustro Pellegrino

181,014

302

Luca Moschitta

158,627

257

Viktor Wessman

180,530

303

Pim Van Riet

157,915

258

Konstantin Tolokno

179,582

304

Alexander Vaserfirer

157,646

259

Anthony Hnatow

179,461

305

Aku Joentausta

157,578

260

Gareth Walker

179,237

306

Chris Bjorin

157,390

261

Joao Barbosa

178,917

307

Juan Manuel Perez

156,674

262

Daniel Reijmer

178,594

308

Rosa Giacomo

156,175

263

Alain Confino

175,981

309

Tore Lukashaugen

155,960

264

Jerome Bradpiece

175,814

310

Frederic Bussot Fuentes

155,400

265

Stefan Raffay

175,157

311

Isabel Baltazar

154,462

266

Karl Rudwall

174,765

312

Milan Joksic

154,263

267

Jeff Lisandro

174,318

313

Peter Harkes

153,598

268

Julian Thew

174,055

314

Andrew Feldman

151,327

269

Richard Toth

173,867

315

Thomas Pettersson

151,044

270

Romain Matteoli

173,016

316

Paul Nash

150,008

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 75

75

23/12/11 18:04

RANKING Hanking Country

Player

317

Mykola Chornyi

Gains (en $)

Hanking Country

Player

Gains (en $)

149,542

363

John Duthie

136,165

318

Stuart Fox

148,482

364

Jan Fernandez Collado

135,921

319

Marko Neumann

148,264

365

Jérome Zerbib

135,712

320

Paul Testud

148,232

366

Nikita Nikolaenko

135,323

321

Maksim Semisoshenko

148,128

367

Roy Finlay

134,690

322

Paul (William) Gibbons

148,074

368

Sampo Ryynanen

134,609

323

Luke Schwartz

148,060

369

Anders Henriksson

134,583

324

Miroslav Hurta

147,308

370

Björn Lindberg

134,253

325

Stanislav Alekhin

146,701

371

Marco Figuccia

134,100

326

Franck Pepe

146,197

372

Anatoly Gurtovy

133,900

327

Simon Deadman

146,040

373

Mike Brandau

133,088 132,840

328

Alexander Roumeliotis

145,904

374

Evgeny Zaytzev

329

Turgay Guneser

144,830

375

Grzegors Gosk

131,711

330

Dmitry Bayramov

144,766

376

Gilbert Toutati

131,613

331 332

★ ★★

David Callaghan

144,547

377

Anatoliy Ojenilok

131,439

Miha Travnik

144,399

378

Matteo Fratello

131,267

333

John Keown

143,484

379

Philip Jacobsen

131,062

334

Davor Pavic

143,268

380

Fabian Spielmann

130,918

335

Victoria Coren

143,008

381

Michele Limongi

130,532

336

Flavien Guenan

142,998

382

Søren Larsen

130,274

337

Dobromir Nikov

142,822

383

Steven Moreau

130,229

338

Youcef Benzerfa

142,677

384

Marek Blasko

130,077

★ ★★

339

Berndt Gleissner

142,255

385

Lari Sihvo

129,930

340

Xavier Carruggi

142,191

386

Andrew Peters

129,743

341

Andreas Hagen

141,470

387

Tobias Peters

129,730

342

Valeriy Strelnikov

141,297

388

Konstantin Streletskiy

129,459

343

Ricardo Escobar

141,195

389

Steve Watts

129,336

344

Alessandro Limblici

141,002

390

Gianni Bonetto

129,134

345

Charles Chattha

140,968

391

Ville Haavisto

128,864

346

Balazs Somodi

140,452

392

Benjamin Jackson

128,797

347

Pascal Junkar

140,187

393

Andrea Benelli

128,110

348

Sunny Chattha

139,939

394

Dara Ruairi O'Kearney

127,987

349

Giuseppe Pantaleo

139,326

395

Yuliyan Nikolaev Kolev

127,907

350

Izak Muday

138,724

396

Alex Goulder

127,859

351

Emile Petit

138,713

397

Melis Polucavjou

127,620

352

Karen Sarkisyan

138,539

398

Marc Inizan

127,526

353

Luke Marsh

138,156

399

António Palma

126,659

354

Valentin Stroiescu

137,938

400

Filippo Adelfio

126,047

355

Juha Vilkki

137,890

401

Mihails Morozovs

125,725

356

Sam El Sayed

137,815

402

Dario Guarnuto

125,651

357

Emmanuel Rodrigues

137,705

403

Yann Enzinger

125,618

358

Ivan Starostin

137,622

404

Phillippe Ktorza

125,217

359

Dmitry Chop

137,324

405

Dmitry Motorov

125,105

360

Igor Sharaskin

137,198

406

Matthew Ashton

124,584

361

Fabrizio Leonardi Alfio

136,808

407

Tobias Garp

123,932

362

Joeri Rick Van Der Sman

136,773

408

Peter Gelencser

123,758

76 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 76

23/12/11 18:04

Hanking Country

Player

409

Richard Sinclair

410 411 412

★ ★★

Gains (en $)

Hanking Country

Player

Gains (en $)

123,653

455

Hanh Tran

114,271

Richard Trigg

123,637

456

Jon Tomasson

114,242

Joeri Zandvliet

123,560

457

Luigi Agostini

114,197

123,313

458

Alejandro Pineiro Barcelo

114,047

Dorde Jovanovic

413

Daniel Carlsson

123,269

459

Gaetano Preite

113,960

414

Salvatore Castorina

122,944

460

Teemu Autio

113,930

415

Martin Kabrhel

122,665

461

Leonid Bilokur

113,742

416

Steven van Zadelhoff

122,659

462

Noel O'Brien

113,059

417

Andreas Griesser

122,569

463

Alessandro Speranza

112,967

418

Tuomas Erkki Lauri

122,004

464

Chris O'Donnell

112,911

419

Marco Bognanni

121,434

465

Vadim Ostomatij

112,800

420

Thomas Traboulsi

120,623

466

Salvatore Pugliese

112,711

421

Francisco Jose Torres-Hermoso

120,414

467

Fabian Deimann

112,514

422

Matthew McDerra

120,286

468

Massimo Federiconi

112,416

423

Alexander Martin

120,160

469

Grudi Grudev

112,347

424

Manfred Hammer

120,067

470

Kiryl Radzivonau

112,043

425

Iulian Iacob

120,016

471

Lalit Khajuria

112,030

426

Fedor Zapsha

120,000

472

Julien Muel

111,689

427

Nicola D'Arrigo

119,977

473

Sergey Rybachenko

110,934 110,905

428

Alexander Rettenbacher

119,678

474

Ismet Sahin

429

Matteo Sbrana

119,475

475

Peter Muhlbek

110,714

430

Roberto Spada

119,443

476

Marcel Schreiner

110,517

431

Mudassar Khan

119,424

477

Brett Angell

110,493

432

Ruslan Prydryk

119,375

478

Johann Fest

109,734

433

Pasquale De Simone

119,217

479

Jannick Wrang

109,707

434

Stepan Dzhigarkhanyan

118,873

480

Thomas Brauner

109,033

435

Pratik Ghatge

118,838

481

Felix Daniel Schulze

108,859

436

Grigoropoulos Georgios

118,597

482

Davide Cerrato

108,702

437

Federico Petruzzelli

117,860

483

Niall Charlton

108,412

438

Max Lehmanski

117,712

484

Jan Peter Jachtmann

108,167

439

Denis Murphy

117,702

485

Joao Ribeiro

108,100

440

Makarios Avramidis

117,322

486

Glenn De Backer

108,091

441

Michael Schurpf

117,291

487

Gabriel Nassif

107,750

442

Rob Angood

117,192

488

Arvi Vainionkulma

107,610

443

Jesper Hoog

117,185

489

Gerasimos Deres

107,090

444

Alexandr Gnatenko

117,089

490

Sergio Marti Aguilar

106,921

445

Cristian Dragomir

116,994

491

Alex Repik

106,865

446

Luca Fiorini

116,990

492

Anton Ponomarev

106,807

447

Bulat Bikmetow

116,961

493

Mauro Palazzo

106,476

448

David Zampini

116,115

494

Nazim Guillaud

106,449

449

Mikhail Yakovlev

115,332

495

Bouali Saiah

450

Frederik Brink Jensen

115,013

496

Marco Leonzio

106,036

106,122

451

Louis Nyberg

114,861

497

Jeremie Guez

105,996

452

Fintan Gavin

114,783

498

Craig Sweden

105,919

453

Anas Tadini

114,680

499

Yoni Houri

105,913

454

Thomas Macdonald

114,533

500

David Giorsetti

105,693

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 77

77

23/12/11 18:04

RANKING

TOP 25

ALL TIME MONEY LIST

As time flies by, tournaments have grown bigger and prizepools as well. This year, there have been more than 25 new poker millionaires, and newcomers like Sam Trickett —who beats the big tables since couple years only— takes for example number one of All Time Money List for England, even better than the cult-player Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott!

Only few other European players beat the British pro: the new WSOP Champion, of course, the German Pius Heinz and also old-timers like the fabulous Spanish champion Carlos Mortensen, the Great Dane Gus Hansen (along with his fellow Peter Eastgate, previous Main Event winner) and the French supernova Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier...

Italy Hanking 1

England Player Jeff Lisandro

Gains (en $)

Hanking

Player

Gains (en $)

4,785,971

1

Sam Trickett

6,304,098

Dave Ulliott

6,006,899

2

Filippo Candio

3,398,535

2

3

Max Pescatori

3,199,984

3

Roland de Wolfe

5,330, 556

4

Salvatore Bonavena

2,191,149

4

Surinder Sunar

4,569,126

5

Alessio Isaia

1,947,752

5

Ram Vaswani

3,477,251

6

Luca Pagano

1,863,70

6

Tony Bloom

3,308,051

7

Dario Minieri

1,856,098

7

John Gale

3,301,782

8

Dario Alioto

1,381,370

8

Jake Cody

3,055,395

9

Gianni Giaroni

1,111,616

9

James Akenhead

2,994,779

10

Gino Alacqua

1,047,956

10

Mark Teltscher

2,933,941

11

Francesco De Vivo

1,001,280

11

Neil Channing

2,909,504

12

Mustapha Kanit

891,159

12

John Duthie

2,774,963

13

Cristiano Blanco

799,119

13

Julian Thew

2,701,549

14

Andrea Benelli

784,824

14

Praz Bansi

2,665,083

15

Michele Limongi

752,514

15

Julian Gardner

2,527,772

16

Fabrizio Ricci

719,190

16

Joe Beevers

2,465,292

17

Massimo Di-Cicco

718,461

17

John Kabbaj

2,442,058

18

Sergio Castelluccio

643,670

18

Chris Moorman

2,427,021

19

Emiliano Bono

637,880

19

Harry Demetriou

2,159,342

20

Marco Figuccia

637,220

20

Marc Goodwin

2,156,365

21

Luigi Pignataro

620,990

21

Barny Boatman

2,078,237

22

Antonio Turrisi

588,911

22

Paul Maxfield

2,040,752

23

Nicolo Calia

568,552

23

Jonathon Kalmar

1,922,233

24

Giovanni Salvatore

539,770

24

Peter Costa

1,885,097

25

Alioscia Oliva

536,002

25

Ross Boatman

1,874,964

78 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 78

23/12/11 18:04

Germany Hanking 1

Russia Player

Gains (en $)

Pius Heinz

8,830,087

Sebastian Ruthenberg

3,457,185

Benjamin Spindler

3,134,924

Moritz Kranich

2,905,460

6

Tobias Reinkemeier

2,265,427

Andreas Krause

2,232,968

8

Florian Langmann

2,013,634

Sandra Naujoks

1,710,496

2 3

4 5

7

9

10 11

Max Heinzelmann

1,674,632

Philipp Gruissem

1,626,840

Fabian Quoss

1,438,318

13

Torsten Brinkmann

1,434,835

Marco Sander

1,383,759

15

Marvin Guido Rettenmaier

1,370,463

16

Michael Keiner

1,336,026

Markus Lehmann

1,319,613

18

Eddy Scharf

1,300,771

Dominik Nitsche

1,264,672

Martin Schleich

1,257,736

12 14

17

19

20 21

22 23

24 25

Ali Jalali

1,147,584

Johannes Strassmann

1,104,004

Davood Mehrmand

1,087,345

Carsten Joh

1,085,471

Martin Finger

1,043,383

Michael Eiler

1,022,331

Denmark Hanking 1

2 3

4 5

6 7

8

9

10 11

12 13

14 15

16

Player

Alexander Kostritsyn Max Lykov

2,915,269 2,583,844

7

Kirill Gerasimov Andrey Pateychuk

2,563,108 2,127,793

9

Dmitry Gromov Vladimir Schemelev

1,459,228

11

Konstantin Puchkov Mikhail Tulchinskiy

1,203,695

13

Stanislav Alekhin Alexander Kuzmin

1,173,955 1,155,785

15

Nikolay Evdakov Mikhail Lakhitov

1,151,705 1,103,902

17

Vladimir Geshkenbein Andrey Zaichenko

1,036,166

19

Igor Kurganov Valery Ilikian

837,063

Dmitry Vitkind

822,809

6 8

10 12 14 16 18

20 21

22 23

24 25

Gus Hansen

9,386,494

Theo Jørgensen

2,856,998

Rehne Pedersen

2,299,640

Jan Sorensen

2,107,963

Søren Kongsgaard Nielsen

1,988,594

Lars Bonding

1,816,746

Sander Lyloff

1,712,552

Frederik Brink Jensen

1,445,057

Rene Mouritsen

1,402,834

Rasmus Nielsen

1,397,656

Christian Grundtvig

1,288,6

Mads Andersen

1,194,321

Jesper Hougaard

1,129,125

Martin Wendt

926,698

Henrik Gwinner

814,062

Casper Hansen

769,788

Soren Jensen

754,882

Albert Kirk Iversen

717,319

Mads Wissing

685,728

Phillip Hilm

676,414

Peter Willers Jepsen

593,864

Brian Jensen

590,444

25

4,254,916

5

1

19

23

Vitaly Lunkin

6,763,309 3,754,190

Hanking

879,556

24

Ivan Demidov

Gains (en $)

Alexander Kravchenko

4

10,918,44

849,818

22

Player

3

Gains (en $)

Allan Bække

21

2

Peter Eastgate

Jonas Klausen

20

1

Nikolay Losev Dimitry Stelmak Sergei Altbregin Sergey Rybachenko Vladimir Kochelaevskiy

1,519,319 1,425,226

998,421 890,778

788,016 776,908 769,185 766,111 716,074

Sweden

17

18

Hanking

Player Chris Bjorin

Gains (en $) 5,094,404

2

Martin De Knijff

3,372,383

4

William Thorson

3,265,907

Johan Storakers

2,968,257

6

Erik Marcus Friberg

2,751,068

7

Michael Tureniec

2,733,153

Martin Jacobson

2,646,739

9

Christer Johansson

2,161,275

Kent Lundmark

1,524,541

3

5

8

10

Nichlas Mattsson

1,510,929

12

Ken Lennaard

1,500,653

Jakob Carlsson

1,206,563

Anton Wigg

1,201,779

11

13

14 15

16

Ramzi Jelassi

1,197,287

Mats Rahmn

1,133,284

Peter Hedlund

1,131,591

Bengt Sonnert

1,082,663

Anders Henriksson

1,048,402

20

Per Linde

1,029,757

Mats Gavatin

916,294

22

Magnus Petersson

891,744

Bo Sehlstedt

871,662

17

18

19 21

23

24 25

Hasan Alexander Anter

784,333

Daniel Larsson

783,362

Philip Yeh

766,095

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 79

79

23/12/11 18:04

RANKING Norway

Spain Gains (en $)

Hanking

1

Trond Eidsvig

1,623,879

1

3

Andreas Hoivold

1,609,071

Bjorn-Erik Glenne

1,092,588

5

Kristian Kjondal

1,057,150

Johnny Lodden

1,029,692

Hanking 2 4 6

Player

Marcel Bjerkmann

948,193

7

Kevin Stani

714,515

9

Thomas Aleksander

709,215

Torstein Iversen

660,426

Oyvind Riisem

649,120

Andreas Hagen

575,024

8

10 11

12

Sigurd Andreas Eskeland

554,123

Aage Ravn

514,668

Sverre Sundbo

477,684

Kai Danilo Paulsen

453,038

Martin Gudvangen

420,326

18

Eirik Bjourklund

382,652

Anders Langset

372,203

20

Henning Granstad

364,943

21

Henrik Tollefsen

362,532

Morten Klein

339,461

23

Age Spets

320,392

Edgar Skjervold

300,785

Vegard Nygaard

294,542

Jonas Helness

288,039

13

14 15

16 17

19

22 24 25

Irland

2

10,782,201

Raul Paez Corral

1,571,248

4

Raul Mestre

863,598

Jesús Cortes

805,244

3

5

Dragan Kostic

787,510

7

Leonor Margets-Perez

672,266

Santiago Terrazas

651,405

6 8

9

510,534

12

455,079

Javier Martinez Gil

418,931

13

14 15

16 17

18

19

20

Player

Padraig Parkinson

1,623,023

Fintan Gavin

1,396,124

John Magill

1,207,856

7

Dermot Blain

1,167,481

9

Noel Furlong

1,145,807

Liam Flood

1,142,446

Donnacha O'Dea

1,137,412

Ciaran O'Leary

954,952

13

George McKeever

954,385

Niall Smyth

939,035

15

Mickey Finn

910,669

Roy Brindley

885,387

Mike Magee

866,845

18

John O'Shea

832,526

Donal Norton

704,467

20

Alan Betson

618,509

Tony Cascarino

589,431

Jude Ainsworth

588,625

21

22 23

John Conroy

532,049

Jim Reid

522,475

25

Peter Roche

517,974

Michael McCool

479,077

24

311,476

Cayetano Garcia Ayala

295,690

Maria Maceiras

286,142

275,827

Pablo Ubierna

272,816

Javier Etayo Fernandez

261,988

25

2,513,592

19

312,635

Angel Blanco Puras

Romain Feriolo

Eoghan O'Dea

17

326,559

Miguel Angel

23

24

3

16

329,303

Jose Luis Navarro

277,160

3,873,993

14

Manuel Labandeira

276,136

Marty Smyth

11

373,206

Fernando Martin Blanco

22

1

12

391,573

Carlos Fuentes

Pedro Javier Piazuelo Ferrero

Hanking

10

Diego Bordonaba Perez

21

4,380,253

8

546,662

Ruben Velasco Merino

Gains (en $)

6

552,801

Tomeu Gomila Oscar Blanco Carrasco

11

Andy Black

5

Juan Manuel Pastor

10

1

4

Gains (en $)

France

Hanking 2

Player Carlos Mortensen

Player Bertrand Grospellier

Gains (en $) 8,646,603

2

David Benyamine

6,189,182

4

Antoine Saout

3,863,435

Fabrice Soulier

3,589,802

3

5

6 7

Roger Hairabedian

3,295,258

Antony Lellouche

2,523, 540

8

Jean-Paul Pasqualini

2,476,629

Bruno Fitoussi

2,416,651

10

Alain Roy

2,182,471

11

Arnaud Mattern

2,104,725

Ludovic Lacay

1,965,206

13

Paul Testud

1,739,346

Pascal Perrault

1,724,714

Nicolas Levi

1,692,705

9

12 14 15

Jan Boubli

1,539,199

17

Antonin Teisseire

1,494,645

Lucien Cohen

1,402,345

19

Adrien Allain

1,318,497

Raphael Kroll

1,213,287

16 18

20

Hugo Lemaire

1,148,147

22

Thomas Bichon

1,093,907

Cedric Rossi

1,055,807

Patrick Bruel

1,013,686

Jérome Zerbib

1,009,224

Remy Biechel

992,386

21

23

24 25

80 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 80

23/12/11 18:04

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE JANUARY

5 - 8 Jan 2012 WPT Dublin, Dublin 5 - 8 Jan 2012 Partouche Poker Tour - Lyon Vert, Lyon 5 - 14 Jan 2012 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, Paradise Island 5 - 22 Jan 2012 WSOP Circuit - Choctaw Durant, Durant 6 - 8 Jan 2012 DTD Monthly Deepstack, Nottingham 6 - 13 Jan 2012 Helsinki Freezeout 2012, Helsinki 6 - 26 Jan 2012 2012 Southern Poker Millions, Biloxi 7 Jan 2012 Spielbank Halle Quarterly Tournament, Halle 7 - 8 Jan 2012 Fox Poker Club - January Main Event, London 7 - 8 Jan 2012 LIPS - US Ladies Poker Championship, Atlantic City 9 - 15 Jan 2012 2012 Dakar Poker Tour, Dakar 9 - 25 Jan 2012 2012 Merit Winterfest, Kyrenia 12 - 30 Jan 2012 2012 Aussie Millions Poker Championship, Melbourne 13 - 15 Jan 2012 Ostend Poker War II (OPW II), Oostende 13 - 29 Jan 2012 Euro Finals of Poker 2012, Paris 14 Jan 2012 Pala 3rd River Card Quest, Pala 14 - 22 Jan 2012 Dusk Till Dawn Grand Prix, Nottingham 16 Jan 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Tournament, Pala 17 Jan - 29 Feb 2012 2012 L.A. Poker Classic, Los Angeles 18 Jan 2012 2012 Great Blue Heron Casino Tournament, Port Perry 18 - 22 Jan 2012 2012 Mega Poker Series - Vienna, Vienna 18 - 22 Jan 2012 Paradise Poker Tour 3 - Prague, Prague 18 - 23 Jan 2012 1st Pravets Poker Masters, Pravets 19 - 20 Jan 2012 APAT - European Amateur Poker Championship, Brighton 19 - 30 Jan 2012 WSOP Circuit - Caesars Palace, Las Vegas 20 - 29 Jan 2012 2012 CAPT Seefeld Open, Seefeld 22 - 29 Jan 2012 2012 Grosvenor UK Poker Tour - Leg 1, Manchester 23 - 29 Jan 2012 Dom Classics 2012, Utrecht 26 Jan - 21 Feb 2012 Deep Stack Extravaganza I, Las Vegas 27 - 29 Jan 2012 2012 Super Stack Series - Leg 1, London 27 Jan - 12 Feb 2012 WSOP Circuit - Tunica, Robinsonville 27 Jan - 12 Feb 2012 2011-12 Epic Poker League - Event 4, Las Vegas 28 Jan 2012 The Ladies International Poker Series - Pala, Pala 28 Jan 2012 Poker Live Adverture - Malta, Portomaso

28 - 29 Jan 2012 Sky Poker Tour - Leg 3, Luton 29 Jan - 5 Feb 2012 WSOP.com Season Opener, Brighton 31 Jan - 6 Feb 2012 EPT Deauville, Deauville

FEBRUARY

25 Feb - 4 Mar 2012 WPT Mauritius, Grand Bay 25 Feb - 31 Mar 2012 The Super Poker Event of Europe, Dublin 29 Feb 2012 2012 Great Blue Heron Casino Tournament, Port Perry

1 - 5 Feb 2012 Genting Poker Series - Leg 1, Birmingham 1 - 7 Feb 2012 APT - Asian Series Cebu, Cebu 2 - 5 Feb 2012 European Masters of Poker IV - Prague, Prague Feb 2012 GSOP Live - Salzburg, Salzburg 3 - 13 Feb 2012 2012 Heartland Poker Tour - Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach 4 - 12 Feb 2012 Foxwoods Mega Stack Challenge XXIII, Mashantucket 6 Feb 2012 Palm Beach Big Game, London 6 - 12 Feb 2012 Reigate Winter Festival, Reigate 7 - 12 Feb 2012 European Deepstack Poker Championship V, Dublin 8 - 14 Feb 2012 German Championship of Poker - Grand Final (GCOP), Rozvadov 10 - 12 Feb 2012 Partouche Poker Deepstack - Lyon Vert, Lyon 10 - 14 Feb 2012 Lucky Hearts Poker Open, Hollywood 13 - 14 Feb 2012 2011-12 Epic Poker League - Championship, Las Vegas 15 - 19 Feb 2012 Mid-States Poker Tour - Columbus, Columbus 16 - 20 Feb 2012 UK & Ireland Poker Tour - Galway, Galway 16 - 27 Feb 2012 WSOP Circuit - Palm Beach Kennel Club, West Palm Beach 17 - 19 Feb 2012 Betfair Poker Live! London, London 17 - 20 Feb 2012 Foxwoods Presidents Day Weekend Specials, Mashantucket 17 - 24 Feb 2012 Latin American Poker Tour IV - Grand Final, Sao Paulo 17 - 26 Feb 2012 2012 Heartland Poker Tour - Oklahoma, Quapaw 18 - 26 Feb 2012 Macau Poker Cup - Red Dragon Event, Macau 19 - 26 Feb 2012 2012 CAPT Bregenz Open, Bregenz 20 - 25 Feb 2012 EPT Copenhagen, Copenhagen 20 - 26 Feb 2012 WPPT Goa, Goa 21 - 26 Feb 2012 WSOP Circuit - Vanderbijlpark, Vanderbijlpark 23 - 26 Feb 2012 Partouche Poker Tour - Aix en Provence, Aix En Provence 25 - 26 Feb 2012 2012 Super Stack Series - Leg 2, Birmingham

MARS

1 - 12 Mar 2012 WSOP Circuit - Atlantic City, Atlantic City 4 Mar 2012 2012 Super Stack Series - Leg 3, London 4 - 11 Mar 2012 WPPT Gold Coast, Gold Coast 5 Mar 2012 Palm Beach Big Game, London 5 - 9 Mar 2012 Bay 101 Shooting Stars, San Jose 7 - 11 Mar 2012 2012 Mega Poker Series - Nottingham, Nottingham 7 - 11 Mar 2012 APPT - Seoul, Seoul 9 - 11 Mar 2012 2012 Barriere Poker Tour - Bordeaux, Bordeaux 10 Mar 2012 Sky Poker Tour - Leg 4 South, Brighton 10 Mar 2012 PaddyPower Student Masters, Dublin 10 Mar 2012 Poker Live Adverture - Malta, Portomaso 10 Mar 2012 Sky Poker Tour - Leg 4 North, Glasgow 11 - 18 Mar 2012 2012 Grosvenor UK Poker Tour - Leg 2, Walsall 14 Mar 2012 2012 Great Blue Heron Casino Tournament, Port Perry 15 - 18 Mar 2012 WPT National Series - France, Paris 15 - 25 Mar 2012 WSOP Circuit - Rincon, San Diego 17 - 18 Mar 2012 LIPS - US Ladies Poker Championship, Lincoln 17 Mar - 1 Apr 2012 2012 Foxwoods Poker Classic, Mashantucket 23 - 25 Mar 2012 WPT Regional Series - St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg 23 Mar - 2 Apr 2012 2012 Delta Gold Poker Classic, Tunica 24 Mar - 1 Apr 2012 Mid-States Poker Tour - Tama, Tama 26 - 31 Mar 2012 WPT Vienna, Vienna 28 Mar - 1 Apr 2012 Genting Poker Series - Leg 2, London 29 Mar - 1 Apr 2012 European Masters of Poker IV - Lisbon, Estoril 29 Mar - 9 Apr 2012 WSOP Circuit - Council Bluffs, Council Bluffs 30 Mar - 1 Apr 2012 2012 Super Stack Series - Leg 4, London 30 Mar - 1 Apr 2012 Partouche Poker Deepstack - Saint Amand, Saint-Amand-les-Eaux 30 Mar - 1 Apr 2012 2012 Super Stack Series - Leg 5, Melbourne 30 Mar - 1 Apr 2012 2012 Barriere Poker Tour - Ribeauvillé, Ribeauvillé

POKER 52 €uropa // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 //ISSUE 3

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 81

81

23/12/11 18:04

DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION POINT Regency Casino Tirana Pokertreff Linz PokerClub Kufstein Poker Royale Poker Royale Poker Casino Bregenz Montesino Poker Club Graz Montesino Concord Card Casinos Salzburg Concord Card Casino Concord Card Casino Concord Card Casino Concord Card Casino Concord Card Casino Concord Card Casino Concord Card Casino Concord Card Casino Club Hotel Pascha City Poker Casinos Austria Baden Casino Wien Casino Velden Casino Seefeld Casino Salzburg Casino Royal Casino Kleinwalsertal Casino Kitbuhel Casino Innsbruck Casino Innsbruck Casino Graz Casino Bregenz Casino Badgastein Poker Liege M.Pokerspa Casino Oostende Casino de Spa Casino de Namur Grand Hotel & Casino Casino Royal Casino Cezar American Chance Casino Merit Crystal Cove Hotel Spearment Casino PokerClubLive Poker Club Live Pavel Skopek Hotel Bobycentrum Casino Praha Casino Atrium Hilton Banco Casino Card Casino Prague Royal Scandinavian Casino River Club Kalundborg Pokerklub Dansk Poker Forbund Casino Odense K/S Casino Munkebjerg Vejle Casino Marienlyst Casino Copenhagen Casino Aalborg Dusk till Dawn Cardroom ALEA Gala Regency Casino Gala Regency Casino WRCC Manhattan Club The Suited Club@ The Ivory The Regency Club The Empire Casino TC Poker The Sports Bar Stanley Wirral Casino Stanley Newcastle Casino Stanley Casino Stanley Albion Casino Simon Stocken Shaftesbury Casino (Poker room) S.E. Svendsen River Card Club Plymouth Grand Casino Norwich Poker Club Napoleons Casino Leeds Napoleons Casino 30 Napoleon’s Casino Maxims Casino

TOWN Tirana Linz Kufstein Wr.Neustadt Liezen Bregenz Graz Vienna Salzburg Linz St.Polten Graz Feldbach Dornbirn Leoben Vienna Innsbruck Salzburg Wien Baden Vienna Velden Seefeld in Tirol Salzburg Innsbruck Klienwalsertal Kitzbuhel Innsbruck Innsbruck Graz Bregenz Badgastein Liege ( Wandre) Spa Oostende Spa Namur Varna Zagreb Zagreb Podstrana-Split Praha 8 Brno Liberec Plzen Brno Praha 1 Praha 8 Praha 1 Praha 5 Aarhus Valby Kalundborg Charlottenlund Odense C Vejle Helsinger Copenhagen Aalborg Lenton Nottingham Nottingham Bournemouth Harrogate London London London Farnborough Newcastle-upon-Tyne Derby Salford Doncaster Birmingham Lincs London Plymouth Norwich Leeds Bradford Kingston upon Hull Birmingham

COUNTRY Albania Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Croatia Croatia Cyprus Czech Rep. Czech Rep. Czech Rep. Czech Rep. Czech Rep. Czech Rep. Czech Rep. Czech Rep. Czech Rep. Denmark Denmark Denmark Denmark Denmark Denmark Denmark Denmark Denmark England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England

DISTRIBUTION POINT Loose Canon Sports Bar Ladbrokes eGaming Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Gala Regency Casino 20 Gala Regency Casino Gala Regency Casino Gala Casino Leeds Gala Casino Gala Casino Equal Chance Club Circus Casino Star City China Palace Annabelles Stanley Casino Alea Casino Westcliff Casino The Western Club The Sportsman Casino The Isle Casinos Ltd The Poker Club TCs Sports Club Stanley Southport Casino Stanley Circus Casino Stanley Casino Stanley Casino Stanley Bristol Casino Rubicon Casino Rendezvous Casino @The Kursal Rendezvous Casino Reading Sporting Club Qstix Snooker Room Pokernitez Palm Beach Casino Oriel House Opera House Casino Napoleons Casino Hillsborough Napoleons Casino Eccleshall Maxims Casino Club Masino Gaming Manchester Casino International Club High Stakes Bookshop Hastings Terrace Club Hastings Terrace Club Harbour House Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosevenor Victoria Casino Gala Casino Teeside Gala Casino Barracuda Gala Casino Full House Club Fox PokerClub Drummond Central Ltd Circus Casino Castle Hill Casino Club Broadway Casino Big Bluff Aspers Casino Olympic Casino Classic Casino Casino Mapau PokerMarketti Poker Saloon Helsinki Grand Casino Helsinki Casino PAF Monte-Carlo Sun Casino Casino de Monaco Spielcasino Aachen Spielbank Wiesbaden Spielbank Trier Spielbank Schenefeld Spielbank Potsdam

TOWN London Harrow, Middx Plymouth Salford Bournemouth Leeds Stockport Leeds Liverpool Bristol London Birmingham Birmingham Coventry Leeds Westcliff on Sea London London Coventry London Berks Stoke-on-Trent Southampton Coventry Bristol Wolverhampton Southend on Sea Brighton Reading London Wokingham London Portsmouth Scarborough Sheffield Sheffield London Chester Manchester London London Hastings Hastings Southampton Blackpool Leeds Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs Sheffield Luton Brighton Newcastle upon Tyne Bentley Leeds Bolton Southampton London Stockton on Tees London Wolverhampton Surrey London Newcastle Upon Tyne Manchester Dudley Birmingham London Newcastle upon Tyne Tallinn Tallinn Tallinn Tampere Helsinki Helsinki Mariehamn Monaco Monaco Aachen Wiesbaden Trier Schenefeld Potsdam

COUNTRY England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England Estonia Estonia Estonia Finland Finland Finland Finland France France Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany

82 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 â‚Źuropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 82

23/12/11 18:04

DISTRIBUTION POINT Spielbank Osnabruck Spielbank Neuenahr -Ahrweller Spielbank Mainz Spielbank Lindau Spielbank Konstanz Spielbank Hohensyburg Spielbank Hanover Spielbank Hamburg Spielbank Garmisch-Partenkirch Spielbank Berlin Spielbank Baden-Baden Spielbank Bad Wiessee Spielbank Bad Reichenhall Spielbank Bad Kissingen Spielbank Bad Homburg Spielbank Bad Harzburg Spielbank Bad Ems Spielbank Bad Bentheim Spielbank Bad Zwischenahn Sielbank Saarbrucken Pokerclub Bad Beat Berlin e.V Kupferkessel Nattheim Deutscher Poker Sport verbande.v Casino Westerland Casino Travemunde Casino Schloss Berg Casino Luzern Casino Kiel Casino Flensburg Casino Feuchtwangen Casino Erfurt Casino Berlin Bremer Spielbank Spiel Casino Ladbrokes International Ltd Gala International Casino Holland Casinos Holland Casinos Holland Casino Venlo Holland Casino Utrecht Holland Casino Rotterdam Holland Casino Nijmegen Holland Casino Holland Casino Club Pool Hall Holland Casino Eidhoven Holland Casino Zandvoort Holland Casino Groningen Las Vegas Casino Voodoo Poker Room The Q Club The Nutz The Gold Club Casino The Castle Casino The Blackthorn Casino The Big Slick P.M.C. The Ace Club Stix Sporting Emporium Silks Casino Pocket Kings Ltd New Vic Card & Gaming Club Macau Sporting Club Jools Poker Jackpot Casino Club J P Poker Fitzwilliam Card Club Eglinton Casino Drogheda Poker Club Club Oasis BankCasino & Card Club Aces Poker Club Circolo Citta di Treviso Casino Vendramin Calergi Casino San Remo Casino Noghera Casino dela Vallee Olympic Voodoo Casino Reval Hotel Club Tobago Casino du Liban Maameltein Olympic Casino Lietuva Grand Casino World Appolonia Hotel

TOWN Osnabruck Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweller Mainz Lindau/Bodensee Konstanz Dortmund Mitte Hamburg Garmisch-Partenkirchen Berlin Baden-Baden Bad Wiessee Bad Reichenall Bad Kissingen Bad Homburg Bad Harzburg Bad Ems Bad Bentheim Bad Zwischenahn Saarbrucken Berlin Nattheim Dresden Westerland Lubeck-Travemunde Nennig Bad Fussing Kiel Flensburg Feuchtwangen Erfurt Berlin Bremer Bad Oeynhausen Amsterdam Breda Venlo Utrecht Rotterdam Nijmegen Valkenburg aan de Geul Enschede Amsterdam Eindhoven Zandvoort Groningen Budapest Dublin 7 High Street, Market Square Letterkenny Castlebar Co Donegal Athlone Buncrana Limerick City Dublin 2 Dublin 2 Dublin 18 Limerick Cork Letterkenney Dublin 2 Saggart Dublin 2 Galway Drogheda Dublin 2 County Cork Galway Treviso Venezia San Remo (IM) Venezia Saint-Vincent Riga Riga Jounieh Vilnius Vilnius Gevgelija

COUNTRY Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Gibraltar Gibraltar Holland Holland Holland Holland Holland Holland Holland Holland Holland Holland Holland Holland Hungary Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Latvia Latvia Lebanon Lithuania Lithuania Macedonia

DISTRIBUTION POINT Casino Europa Mongolia Sport Poker Association Movenpick Hotel and Casino Malabata Mazagan Casino Casino Marrakech The Fortune Rooms Luckys Bingo Club Frontier Bingo Club Dormans Poker Room The Bridge Club Red Gaming Club Empire Bingo Group East Belfast Poker Club Olympic Casino Sunrise Casino Royal Casino Poland Casino Espinho Edinburgh Circus Casino Wabash Club The International Casino Stanley Berkeley Casino Riverboat Casino Glasgow Stanley Casino Gala Maybury Casino Gala Dundee Casino Caplins Club Alea Casino Casino Terroubi Slovensky Pokovry Zvaz Caesar Poker Club Korona Casino & Hotel Hit Casino Perla Grand Casino Ljubljana Casino Portoroz Olympic Carlton Casino The Irish Fiddler Gran Casino Mallorca Gran Casino de Barcelona Gran Casino Costa Meloneras Centro Nordico Casino Marbella Casino Gran Madrid Casino de Torrequebrada Casino Castillo de Perelada 5th Street Club Malmo PokerKlubb Casino Cosmopol AB Casino Cosmopol Casino Cosmopol Casino Cosmopol Blekinge Pokerklubb Value Poker Twins Poker Swiss Pokerlounge Runner Runner Club Royal Kings Poker Passion Poker Maniacs Poker Klub Poker Fever Poker Fame Poker Cracks Other Poker Club No Smoker Poker Grand Casino St.Gallen Gran Casino Baden Casino Lugano Casino Kursaal Interlaken Card Casino Thun Card Casino Thun Card Casino Biel Campione D’Italia Dav Enterprises Ltd Dav Enterprises Ltd Royal Poker Club Olympic Casino Opera Circolo Club Casino Favorit Aspers at Salubrious Place Les Croupiers Casino Grosvenor Casino Grosvenor Casino Gala Casino

TOWN Chisnau Ulan Batar Tanger El Jadida / Casablanca Marrakech Bangor Ballymena Co.Down Co.Londonderry Co.Down Armagh Magherafelt Belfast Warszawa Warszawa Warszawa Espinho Edinburgh Glasgow Aberdeen Edinburgh Glasgow Glasgow Edinburgh Dundee Dundee Glasgow Dakar Bratislava Bratislava Kranjska Gora Nova Gorica Ljubljana Izola Bratsilava Arguinan Islas Baleares Barcelona San Bartolome Mijas Marbella Torrelodones Malaga Prov Girona Malaga Malmo Sundsvall Malmo Goteborg Stockholm Nattraby Dubendorf Wohlen Dietikon Balerna Zurich Biel Hombrechtikon Koniz Prattein Littau Kloten Basel Frauenfeld St.Gallen Baden Lugano Interlaken Thun Thun Biel Lugano Mersin 10 Kordonboyu, Girne Kharkov Kyiv Kiev Odessa Swansea Cardiff Swansea Cardiff Cardiff

POKER 52 €uropa //

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 83

COUNTRY Moldova Mongolia Morocco Morocco Morocco N.Ireland N.Ireland N.Ireland N.Ireland N.Ireland N.Ireland N.Ireland N.Ireland Poland Poland Poland Portugal Scotland Scotland Scotland Scotland Scotland Scotland Scotland Scotland Scotland Scotland Sénégal Slovakia Slovakia Slovenia Slovenia Slovenia Slovenia Sovakia Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Turkey Turkey Ukrainia Ukrainia Ukrainia Ukrainia Wales Wales Wales Wales Wales

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // ISSUE 3 83

23/12/11 18:04

” y c r eMERCIER

ISABELLE o M “N

WSOP-E:

FROM CANNES WITH LOVE

CHRONICLE ISABELLE MERCIER

It has been such a thrill to enjoy the Croisette in Cannes and to celebrate it in the best possible way with this international poker festival!

First stop, for an incredible dinner at “La Petite Maison de Nicole”, located in the heart of the luxurious 5-star Majestic hotel. The casting for this dinner was quite surreal, and had been shot for the WSOP-E TV show: the one and only Phil Hellmuth, the incredibly funny Tony G, the adorable Freddy Deeb, the star-studded Fabrice Soulier and his girlfriend Claire Renaut, as well as the French captain: Bruno ‘King’ Fitoussi! It has really been a magical night, with great food —the truffled macaronis and salmon tartare were really top-notch— as well as the incredible stories and poker chats… I particularly enjoyed Freddy Deeb’s story, when he and Bruno went heads-up in the HORSE $50,000 tournament for the win. When Freddy finally won the title, he kindly asked Bruno if he still would share the cab back with him to the Bellagio! Bruno and Freddy have been friends for ages now and it had been such a crazy experience to play heads-up for such a prestigious title.

After the dinner, it was time to party at The Beach, a private club that was run that night by Barrière Poker and WSOP-Europe. “Free floating champagne” was advertised

by WSOP guru Ty Stewart and indeed there was: a crazy night with DJs, dancers, disco feeling and lot of pictures by the international press… Only one friend was missing, my buddy Phil “Crazy” Boucher, the Canadian pro who would win his first WSOP-E title the following day! Congrats Phil for all the good work!

I have launched a very special project, to encourage the ladies to experience the thrill of poker —as well as new male players of course! I now run special Poker coaching stays in Monte-Carlo, in partnership with the palace Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Casino. Every Saturday since November 2011, I run a six-hour master-class, consisting of two hours of theory, two hours of play and then a one-table sit&go with cards revealed. The field is capped to eight players per week and the success is a gauge! For ‬830, you’ll enjoy two nights (single or double, Friday to Sunday), breakfast

included, the six-hour master class, a buffet lunch, and complimentary coffee and snacks. You can book it through the hotel hotline : +377 98 06 00 50.

Isabelle “No Mercy” Mercier plays at Sun Casino Monaco and runs the Poker Coaching Master classes seminars at Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Casino.

84 ISSUE 3 // JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 // POKER 52 €uropa

PK52UE_N3_CS5.5.indd 84

23/12/11 18:04

www.poker52europa.com

PK52EUROPA_N3_3edecouv.indd 1

22/12/11 18:15:40

PK52EURO_N2_COUV_CS5.5.indd 4

22/12/11 16:38