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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012
UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS WPT & EMOP Barcelona CAPT & Poker EM Baden WPT Copenhagen Marrakech Poker Open XXVII EPT Prague WPT Malta
EXCLUSIVE EUROPEAN RANKINGS
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR SERIES Show and Take, Last Live Hand or Split Pot?
MICHAEL MIZRACHI The ISPT Ambassador CHRONICLES
Kara Scott Doyle Brunson Victoria Coren Jake Cody
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EDITOrial
Poker is getting bigger and bigger in each country on the continent, and next year’s big event will surely be the ISPT
Dear Readers, After some wonderful WSOP which saw European players make history – including Englishman Sam Trickett, whose second place finish in the Big One sets him at the top of the Hendon Mob European Money List – it is time for most players to head back out on the poker trail. And this fall an incredible array of tournaments awaits them. Keep in mind that for Main Events such as the PPT Finale, the WPT Grand Prix de Paris and the WSOP-Europe in Cannes, you’d better have a five-figure poker bankroll handy for September, so manage your finances wisely… Poker lovers will also be able to play a lot of World Poker Tour stops in the coming months (sunny Malta, magnificent Copenhagen, outlandish Barcelona, etc.) as well as the European Poker Tour, whose second stop in San Remo will undoubtedly set EPT records for attendance, then Prague. Morocco will host the wonderful Marrakech Poker Open at Casino Es Saadi, as well as, the FPS in Mazagan. The CAPT will host its annual finale; plus numerous middle-stakes tournaments will be held all over Europe. Poker is getting bigger and bigger in each country on the continent, and next year’s big event will surely be the ISPT, a gigantic tournament which will be held in May, 2013 at Wembley Stadium; in this issue Michael Mizrachi, recent winner of the WSOP 50,000$ Players Championship, gives the lowdown on this incredible project. Good luck at the tables!
POKER 52 europa // september-october 2012 // ISSUE 7
5
SEPTEMBER 21 - OCTOBER 4, 2012
CaSinO LE CROiSETTE - HôTEL MajESTiC BaRRièRE - CannES SATELLITES 4:00 PM
20/09/2012 6:00 PM
SAT TO SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°1 (6 Max No Limit Hold’Em) SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°1 (6 Max No Limit Hold’Em)
2:00 PM TURBO SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°1 (6 Max No Limit Hold’Em) 21/09/2012 8:00 PM SAT TO Any E 1 100 TOURnAmEnT (Super Sat or NLH Bracelet Event or Cash Mixed Max)
e 40 + e 15 (Unlimited rebuys) e 270 + e 30 (Freezeout) e 270 + e 30 (Freezeout) e 130 + e 20 (2 Rebuys + 1 Dble Add On)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT : HyPER TURbO bUIlD yOUR bAnkROll (4 Tickets e 550 40 players max.) e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout)
22/09/2012
2:00 PM
SAT TO SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°3 (Pot Limit Omaha)
e 50 + e 15 (Unlimited rebuys - Omaha)
6:00 PM
SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°3 (Pot Limit Omaha)
e 500 + e 50 (1 Dble Add On - Omaha)
8:00 PM SAT TO Any E 1 100 TOURnAmEnT (Super Sat or NLH Bracelet Event or Cash Mixed Max)
e 130 + e 20 (2 Rebuys + 1 Dble Add On)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT : HyPER TURbO bUIlD yOUR bAnkROll (4 Tickets e 550 40 players max.) e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout) 6:00 PM SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°3 (Pot Limit Omaha) 23/09/2012 8:00 PM SAT TO Any E 1 100 TOURnAmEnT (Super Sat or Cash Mixed Max)
e 500 + e 50 (1 Dble Add On - Omaha) e 130 + e 20 (2 Rebuys + 1 Dble Add On)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT : HyPER TURbO bUIlD yOUR bAnkROll (4 Tickets e 550 40 players max.) e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout)
24/09/2012
4:00 PM
SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°4 (Shootout No Limit Hold’Em)
e 500 + e 50 (Freezeout)
6:00 PM
SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°7 (WSOPE Main Event)
e 500 + e 50 (1 Dble Add On)
8:00 PM SAT TO Any E 1 100 TOURnAmEnT (Super Sat or Cash Mixed Max)
e 130 + e 20 (2 Rebuys + 1 Dble Add On)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT : HyPER TURbO bUIlD yOUR bAnkROll (4 Tickets e 550 40 players max.) e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout)
25/09/2012
4:00 PM
SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°5 (Mixed Max (9-6-2))
e 1 000 + e 100 (Freezeout)
6:00 PM
SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°7 (WSOPE Main Event)
e 500 + e 50 (1 Dble Add On)
8:00 PM SAT TO Any E 1 100 TOURnAmEnT (Super Sat or Cash Mixed Max)
e 130 + e 20 (2 Rebuys + 1 Dble Add On)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT : HyPER TURbO bUIlD yOUR bAnkROll (4 Tickets e 550 40 players max.) e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout) 6:00 PM
26/09/2012 8:00 PM
SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°7 (WSOPE Main Event)
e 500 + e 50 (1 Dble Add On)
SAT TO BRACELET n°6 (6 Max Pot Limit Omaha)
e 270 + e 30 (Freezeout - Omaha)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT : HyPER TURbO bUIlD yOUR bAnkROll (4 Tickets e 550 40 players max.) e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout)
27/09/2012
6:00 PM
SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°7 (WSOPE Main Event)
8:00 PM SAT TO Any E 1 100 TOURnAmEnT (Super Sat or Cash Mixed Max)
e 500 + e 50 (1 Dble Add On) e 130 + e 20 (2 Rebuys + 1Dble Add On)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT : HyPER TURbO bUIlD yOUR bAnkROll (4 Tickets e 550 40 players max.) e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout)
28/09/2012
2:00 PM
SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°7 (WSOPE Main Event)
e 1 000 + e 100 (Freezeout)
6:00 PM
SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°7 (WSOPE Main Event)
e 500 + e 50 (1 Dble Add On)
8:00 PM SAT TO WSOpE LAdiES EVEnT
e 50 + e 15 (2 Rebuys + 1 Dble Add On)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT : HyPER TURbO bUIlD yOUR bAnkROll (4 Tickets e 550 40 players max.) e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout) 4:00 PM LAST CHAnCE SUpER SAT TO BRACELET n°7 (WSOPE Main Event DAY 1B) 29/09/2012 8:00 PM SAT TO SUpER SAT TO THE WSOpE mAJESTiC HiGH ROLLER
e 1 000 + e 100 (Freezeout) e 500 + e 50 (1 Dble Add On)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT : HyPER TURbO bUIlD yOUR bAnkROll (4 Tickets e 550 40 players max.) e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout) 3:00 PM
30/09/2012 8:00 PM
SAT TO SUpER SAT TO THE WSOpE mAJESTiC HiGH ROLLER
e 500 + e 50 (1 Dble Add On)
SUpER SAT TO THE WSOpE mAJESTiC HiGH ROLLER
e 5 000 + e 300 (Freezeout)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT : HyPER TURbO bUIlD yOUR bAnkROll (4 Tickets e 550 40 players max.) e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout)
01/10/2012 02/10/2012 03/10/2012
8:00 PM
SUpER SAT TO THE WSOpE mAJESTiC HiGH ROLLER
e 5 000 + e 300 (Freezeout)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT : HyPER TURbO bUIlD yOUR bAnkROll (4 Tickets e 550 40 players max.) e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout) 8:00 PM SAT TO E 1 000 CASH dEEpSTACK
e 100 + e 20 (2 Rebuys + 1 Dble Add On)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT : HyPER TURbO bUIlD yOUR bAnkROll (4 Tickets e 550 40 players max.) e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout) 8:00 PM SAT TO E 5 300 mini mAin
e 500 + e 50 (1 Dble Add On)
11:00 PM mOOnLiGHT SAT TO LAST dAy E 550 TURBO CASH
e 60 + e 15 (Freezeout)
World Series Of Poker Europe and WSOPE are trademarks of Caesars Interactive Entertainment Inc.
n° 1 6 mAX nO LimiT HOLd’Em
e 2 500 + e 200
n° 2 nO LimiT HOLd’Em (Re-Entry)
e 1 000 + e 100
5:00 PM
n° 3 pOT LimiT OmAHA
e 5 000 + e 300
25-27 Sept.
5:00 PM
n° 4 SHOOTOUT nO LimiT HOLd’Em
e 3 000 + e 250
26-29 Sept.
5:00 PM
n° 5 miXEd mAX (9-6-2)
e 10 000 + e 450
n° 6 6 mAX pOT LimiT OmAHA
e 1 500 + e 150
21-23 Sept.
5:00 PM
22-25 Sept.
12:00 PM
24-26 Sept.
27-29 Sept.
5:00 PM
29 Sept. - 4 Oct.
12:00 PM
29-30 Sept.
1:00 PM
n° 7 mAin EVEnT nO LimiT HOLd’Em e 10 000 + e 450 WSOpE LAdiES EVEnT
e 500 + e 50
2-4 Oct.
4:00 PM
WSOpE mAJESTiC HiGH ROLLER
Unlimited rebuys: Rebuy only possible using deposit and when a player has lost all their chips. Registration and Rebuys possible until the end of level 10 (first level on day 2)
e 50 000 + e 1 000
SIdE EvEnTS 20/09/2012
9:00 PM
TURBO CASH
e 300 + e 30
21/09/2012
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH
e 500 + e 50
4:00 PM
TURBO CASH
e 300 + e 30
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH : KnOCKOUT + RAndOm BOUnTy
e 400 + e 50 + e 50 + e 50
4:00 PM
TURBO CASH
e 300 + e 30
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH
e 500 + e 50
24/09/2012
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH : KnOCKOUT + RAndOm BOUnTy
e 400 + e 50 + e 50 + e 50
25/09/2012
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH
e 500 + e 50
4:00 PM
CASH
e 400 + e 40
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH
e 500 + e 50
27/09/2012
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH : KnOCKOUT + RAndOm BOUnTy
e 400 + e 50 + e 50 + e 50
28/09/2012
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH
e 500 + e 50
29/09/2012
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH
e 500 + e 50
4:00 PM
CASH
e 600 + e 60
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH pOT LimiT OmAHA
e 500 + e 50 (Omaha)
2:00 PM
CASH mEGA dEEpSTACK
e 1 800 + e 200
4:00 PM
CASH miXEd mAX
e 1 000 + e 100
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH
e 500 + e 50
6:00 PM
CASH
e 700 + e 70
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH : KnOCKOUT + RAndOm BOUnTy
e 400 + e 50 + e 50 + e 50
2:00 PM
CASH dEEpSTACK
e 900 + e 100
6:00 PM
TURBO CASH 6 mAX
e 5 000 + e 300
10:00 PM
10 O’CLOCK TURBO CASH
e 500 + e 50
2:00 PM
mini mAin
e 5 000 + e 300
4:00 PM
TURBO CASH
e 500 + e 50
22/09/2012 23/09/2012
26/09/2012
30/09/2012 01/10 - 02/10/2012 01/10/2012 02/10/2012 03/10 - 04/10/2012 03/10/2012 04/10/2012
Information & registrations : www.wsop.com Entries into the World Series Of Poker Europe is strictly prohibited for minors (under 18), even those legally emancipated, persons not authorized to play, persons subject to a measure of exclusion by casino management or a voluntary restriction of access. All players will be required to provide a valid picture ID or passport. Proper attire required.
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contents 12 28
NEWS interview
34
travel
44
upcoming tournaments
72 80
Hendon Mob Rankings Tournament schedule chronicles
Michael Mizrachi ARIA Resort & Casino – Las Vegas
46 WPT & European Masters of Poker Barcelona 52 CAPT Baden 56 WPT Copenhagen 60 WPT Marrakech 62 EPT Prague 68 WPT Malta
56
46
20 Victoria Coren
The guy from the ladies event 22 Jake Cody Vegas Baby! 24 Kara Scott Spontaneous Dance Parties 36 Doyle Brunson “Sometimes the best helping hand you can get is a good firm push” 42 Tony G. Paris, Paris 78 Hendonmob Tournament Director
60 28 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: PartyPoker.com Inside pictures: XDR, Neil Stoddart Re-writing and translation: Alexander JE Bradley Advertisement: Martin Garagnon +33 (0)1 53 89 14 04 - martin@poker52europa.com Founder: Bruno Fitoussi DESIGN Artistic Director: Frédéric Hallier Layout: Jennifer Bouvard Print: Imprimerie du Canal
news // Tournament
Mazagan hosts the FPS Sunfest With its €1,100 buy-in, the France Poker Series Sunfest held in wonderful Mazagan Resort, in Morocco, is the perfect destination for poker players and their families: a wonderful white sand beach, some great resorts activities, a top-notch spa, a great golf course and some poker action! From October 12th to 15th,
// people
All poker stars rush to the Olympic games, led by Phil Hellmuth and Antonio Esfandiari Are you nostalgic for the huge fields of the WSOP that we saw in Las Vegas this summer, full of poker stars? No need to wait for the PPT Grand Final, the WPT Grand Prix de Paris or the WSOP-Europe in Cannes: the greatest players are all — well, almost all — in London,
12 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
Mazagan will thus welcome some of the biggest poker stars, including ElkY or Jonathan Duhamel in its futuristic poker room. Some side action is also scheduled with big cash-games in the casino. The Mazagan Resort and Casino will welcome further this year, a World Poker Tour stop.
supporting their national team, and more precisely the athletes they have bet on. You need only catch a glimpse of their Tweeter account to see the excitement generated by the Olympic Games among professional poker players: Doyle Brunson is betting — hard — as is Daniel Negreanu, on the American basketball team, while Phil Hellmuth is being shot sitting in the stands with sexy Tatjana Plasic (Bodog model) and her boyfriend, pro McLean Karr. Let’s not forget Antonio Esfandiari, who recently won the amazing $1,000,000 buy-in event “One Drop,” seen with his father and his friend Phil Laak at a table... 1-2£ at the Victoria Grosvenor Casino in London, between two Olympic competitions. As for the English high-roller Neil Channing, he spends his days commenting sports results... Phil Hellmuth is of course always on the VIP side, proud as a peacock as he struts around with Michael Phelps, the American swimming prodigy who set records by winning medals in every category: he has already grabbed 20 of them (which made Hellmuth win a pile of dollars, as he had bet quite a lot on him), and the games are not even over yet...
SATURDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2012
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THE POKER EVENT OF THE YEAR 3 - 10 NOVEMBER 2012 AMSTERDAM
3-day tournament. Final on Monday 5 November 17.00 hrs. Startstack 15.000 Start 14.00 hrs | Day 2 - 14.00 hrs | Max. 300 players Entry Fee € 90
SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2012
OMAHA POT LIMIT € 200 UNLIMITED REBUYS + ADD-ON 2-day tournament Startstack 2.000 | Rebuy 2.000 | Add-on 3.000 Start 14.00 hrs | Day 2 - 14.00 hrs | Max. 200 players Entry Fee € 20
MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012
BOUNTY TEXAS HOLD’EM NO LIMIT € 800 FREEZE-OUT 2-day tournament Startstack 8.000 | Bounty € 200 Start 14.00 hrs | Day 2 - 14.00 hrs | Max. 250 players Entry Fee € 80
TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2012
SATELLITE MAIN EVENT LIDO INTERNATIONAL DUTCH OPEN TEXAS HOLD’EM NO LIMIT € 250 UNLIMITED REBUYS + ADD-ON
WEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2012
MAIN EVENT LIDO INTERNATIONAL DUTCH OPEN TEXAS HOLD’EM NO LIMIT € 5.000 FREEZE-OUT 4-day tournament. Final Saturday 10 November at 17.00 hrs. Startstack 30.000 Start 15.00 hrs | Day 2 and 3 - 14.00 hrs | Max. 340 players Entry Fee € 250
THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2012
TEXAS HOLD’EM NO LIMIT SPEED € 1.000 FREEZE-OUT 1-day tournament Startstack 10.000 Start 14.00 hrs | Max. 100 players Entry Fee € 80
FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2012
TEXAS HOLD’EM NO LIMIT € 750 FREEZE-OUT
1-day tournament Startstack 2.000 | Rebuy 2.000 | Add-on 3.000 Start 14.00 hrs | Max. 280 players Entry Fee € 25
2-day tournament Startstack 8.000 Start 14.00 hrs | Day 2 - 14.00 hrs | Max. 250 players Entry Fee € 75
TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2012
SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2012
2-day tournament. Final Saturday 10 November at 13.30 hrs. Startstack 15.000 Start 14.00 hrs | Max. 48 players / 6 tables Entry Fee € 250
1-day tournament Startstack 3.000 Start 14.00 hrs | Max. 200 players Entry Fee € 30
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news // World Series of Poker Europe 2012
Don’t miss the biggest European poker event from September 21 to October 4 In 2011, the World Series of Poker Europe said goodbye to London and moved for the first time to the constantly sunny city of Cannes. The least we can say is that it was a lovely idea. With the sumptuous Cannes Croisette Casino, the legendary Hotel Majestic, and the gorgeous landscape of the French Riviera as perfect settings for this huge international poker series, the first edition in Southern France was a real hit. Last year, the first WSOP-Europe Main Event held in Cannes offered a fascinating show, as world poker stars gathered for one of the toughest tournaments ever organized in France. The final table provided an incredible cast, with Patrik Antonius, Jake Cody, Shawn Buchanan, Brian Roberts, Moritz Kranich, Max Silver, Dermot Blain and Chris Moorman vying for the WSOP bracelet before falling to Elio Fox. The young American player returned to New York City with the €1,400,000 first prize, his best performance in a live tournament, only three months after his victory at the Bellagio Cup Main Event, for $669,692. For this second edition, the World Series of Poker Europe will be held from September 21 to October 4. The two-week-long series will be a real festival, with no less than seven golden bracelet events with buy-ins starting at €1,100 and more than 50 satellites and side-events. From September 29, the €10,000 + €450 Main Event will be the pièce de résistance, attracting the best players in the world. Last year’s formula was such a success that the schedule
will almost be the same this season, with a few slight changes. The Six-Handed No Limit Hold’em event will kick off the tournament on Friday, September 21 at 5:00 p.m., and feature a €2,500 + €200 buy-in and a 3-day structure. Other events include a €1,000 + €100 No Limit Hold’em event (from September 22-25), a three-day €5,000 + €300 Pot Limit Omaha event (starting on September 24), a €3,000 + €250 No Limit Hold’em Shootout event (from September 25-27), a six-handed €1,500 + €150 Pot Limit Omaha event (from September 27-29), and a Mixed Max No Limit Hold’em €10,000 + €450 event (from September 26-28). The Series will conclude with the six-day €10,000 + €400 buyin No Limit Hold’em Main Event, which will start on Saturday, September 29 and run until the final table, on Thursday, October 4. The tournament directors are waiting for a huge field this year and the prize pool will surely break the 2007 record of £3,676,990. With high-level action and luxurious settings, this two-week major event, held for the second time on the French Riviera, will bring together the greatest players and the leading organizing brands in a stunning décor, making Cannes the world capital of poker. So don’t miss the Round II of the WSOPE Cannes!
news
// WSOP Main Event 2012
Who are the October Nine?
Starting July 7, the world’s biggest poker tournament attracted 6,598 players from 83 countries, generating a huge prize pool of $62,021,200, for the fifth greatest Main Event in WSOP history. After ten days of titanic battle and the elimination of the two last European women of the table, Norwegian Elisabeth Hille (11th) and French Gaëlle Baumann (10th), for $590,442 each, the final table was completed, and the nine finalists (one European and eight Americans), are all sure to win, at least, $754,798. $18 million are still up for grabs, including the $8,527,982 first prize. Here are the profiles of the nine players who will come back for the final table on October 29. • Jesse Sylvia: 43,875,000 chips. Chip leader of the final table, the 26-year-old American, born in Malden, Massachusetts, made his first WSOP cash in 2011, finishing 175th in the $1,500 Six-Handed event for $2,954. • Andras Koroknai: 29,375,000 chips. Koroknai, a 30-year-old poker pro from Hungary, is the sole European of this final table. Winner of the 2010 WPT LA Poker Classic for $1,788,040, he has in the course of his career cashed in more than $2.5 million. • Greg Merson: 28,725,000 chips. With a WSOP bracelet on event #57 (for $1,136,197) and two other cash prizes during the 2012 WSOP edition, this 25-year-old American pro will probably be the next WSOP Player of the Year. • Russell Thomas: 24,800,000 chips. 248th of the 2011 WSOP Main Event (for $40,654), this 30-year-old American, born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, will make his fourth WSOP cash during this final, with a career total of $881,594 (including this WSOP Main Event cash prize). • Steven Gee: 16,860,000 chips. Born in China, this 57-year-old American, living in Sacramento, Califor-
16 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
nia, is the oldest and most experienced player of this final table, with four WSOP cashes. He grabbed a WSOP bracelet in 2010, winning a $1,000 event, for $472,479. • Michael Esposito: 16,260,000 chips. This final table will be the fourth WSOP cash of this 43-year-old American player, also a regular of the WSOP circuit. He has a career total of $172,000. • Robert Salabru: 15,155,000 chips. This 27-year-old American player from San Antonio, Texas, cashed in several small buy-ins events in the course of his two-year career. This Main Event will be his biggest cash ever. • Jake Balsiger: 13,115,000 chips. This 21-year-old player, born in Portland, Oregon, could be the youngest WSOP Main Event winner in history, besting Joe Cada’s record. He has cashed $3,531 in a $1,500 WSOP event so far. • Jeremy Ausmus: 9,805,000 chips. Short stack of this final table, Ausmus is a 32-year-old player from Lamar, Colorado. So far, he’s already cashed 12 times in the WSOP, in only three editions, including 8 times in 2012! He has won $480,000 during his career. The October Nine will enter the final table on October 29, and the heads-up will run October 30. Until this great moment, ESPN will broadcast a two-hour program every Tuesday, as well as the final table, live!
The final table prizes will be distributed as follows 1st: 2nd: 3rd: 4th: 5th: 6th: 7th: 8th: 9th:
$8,527,982 $5,292,889 $3,797,558 $2,850,494 $2,154,616 $1,640,461 $1,257,790 $971,252 $754,798
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news // Estrellas Poker Tour san sebastian
Borja Urteaga wins the Estrellas Poker Tour San Sebastian
From July 26-29, Casino de Kursaal, in San Sebastian, welcomed the penultimate stop of the third season of the Estrellas Poker Tour, for a three-day €1,000 Main Event which attracted 269 players, generating a €258,240 prize pool. The last day began with 11 players still in the race, and the eight-handed final table was finally composed after the eliminations of Spanish players Aiguilino Rio, Ibon Borbolla and Jesus Garrido. After a few hours, the only
// WPT National Series Madrid
Peter Olsen dominates the WPT National Series Madrid
The first edition of the World Poker Tour National Series Madrid €1,500 Main Event, held in Casino Gran Madrid, home of some of the best tournaments in Europe, attracted 166 players for a three-day event. And after two days of competition, only eight remained to vie for the title, in a final table bringing together players from five different countries. Frenchman Robert Cazali and Spaniard Enrique Barroso-Serrano were the first to leave the table, followed by Romanian Cristian Mihu, Spaniard Manuel Sanchez and Swede Alexander Stevic. Raul Mestre managed to bust his fellow countrywoman Rosa Isla for third place, taking the chip lead and entering the final heads-up against Dane Peter Olsen. But Olsen 18 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
estrellas poker tour san sebastian
List of Winners 1st Borja Urteaga 2nd Alejandro Barcelo 3rd Daniel Pina 4th Lucian Tofan 5th Emilio Oleaga 6th Jaume Alomar 7th Jose Luis Rujas Gil 8th Vincente Zamorano
$65,800 $41,800 $23,200 $18,000 $15,100 $12,390 $9,800 $7,750
non-Spanish player, Romanian Lucian Tofan, busted at the 4th place for €18,000, leaving Daniel Pina, Borja Urteaga and Alejandro Barcelo to duke it out for the title. Pina ended the tournament in third position, as Alejandro Barcelo was hoping to win his second Estrellas Poker Tour event, following his victory in Alicante in May 2011, for €75,800. But Borja Urteaga was too tough, and Barcelo lost his heads-up, leaving San Sebastian with €41,800. The winner, Borja Urteaga, celebrated his first victory in a live event, grabbing €65,800 for his performance. The next, and former, stop of the Estrellas Poker Tour III will run in Casino Barcelona, from August 13-25, with a €1,000 + €100 Main Event, from August 15-19.
WPT National Series Madrid
List of Winners 1st Peter Olsen $60,000 nd 2 Raul Mestre $42,000 3rd Rosa Isla $27,000 4th Alexander Stevic $20,000 5th Manuel Sanchez $15,000 6th Cristian Mihu $12,000 7th Enrique Barroso-Serrano $10,000 8th Robert Cazali $8,000
fought his way back and took the lead as the two players slowly reached the end of the tournament. On the very last hand, both players went all-in, Olsen holding K-5 and Mestre K-J, and the 5 of the river gave the title to the Danish player. He left Madrid with €60,000, for the biggest cash prize of his career, while the Spanish champion grabbed the €42,000 second place prize. The next Spanish WPT National Series will be held at Casino Barcelona, from October 25-29.
// IPT San Remo
Alessandro Meoni dominates a 375 player field at the IPT San Remo Italian Alessandro Meoni is the latest Italian Poker Tour Main Event winner, besting 374 opponents on July 30 in San Remo and netting €166,000 over the huge €727,500 prize pool with a dramatic victory. After five days of intense competition in the gorgeous Casino Municipale, the Supernova Elite, who makes a living on PokerStars under the screen moniker “Cippino1” and has already proved his skills on the live stage, took his career earnings to a healthy total of $422,063. The 29-year-old crushed the final table, seeing off Bonometti David in ninth followed by Andrea Dato in fifth, Frenchman Julien Norbert in third and Raffaele Bertolucci in second. As play moved into heads-up, Meoni held a slight chip advantage over Bertolucci, but just one hour later, the game was already over. In the final hand, Bertolucci open-shoved 10-9 into his fellow Italian’s A-K and a King on the flop was good enough to exit Bertolucci. Meoni’s next shot at an IPT title will come when the Italian Poker Tour visits Campion from August 30 to September 3. Here are the results of the IPT San Remo final table
IPT San Remo
List of Winners 1st Alessandro Meoni $166,000 2nd Raffaele Bertolucci $129,000 3rd Julien Norbert Dolay $71,500 4th Nicolo Allisiardi $53,500 5th Andrea Dato $36,000 6th Omar Rodriguez $29,000 7th Johnatan Maisonneuve $21,000 8th Giuseppe Zarbo $14,000 9th Davide Bonometti $10,710
// Tournament Direction
Christian Scalzi is the new World Poker Tour Europe Tournament Director After working for the most prestigious casinos in France and Europe, directing for several years some of the greatest tournaments, Italian tournament director Christian Sclazi has just signed a contract with the World Poker Tour and is now the new WPT tournament director of all the global and national stops in Europe. Sclazi began his career in 1994 at Costa Croisiere and Paquet, two major boat tour companies, then became an American game instructor at the famous Sanremo casino – and he still resides in the beautiful Italian city – and the Casino de Campione d’Italia. He went to poker in 2006, joining the TkTeam of Thomas Kremser and working his magic in some of the best European tournaments such as stops of the European Poker Tour. In charge of the organization of the Barrière Poker Tour tournaments, and also working on the next WSOP-Europe in Cannes, Sclazi is now the head and the face of the WPT series in Europe, and he will work with Matt Savage part of the time. Congratulations to Christian Scalzi for this new position which makes him one of the most influent TDs in the world!
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Victoria Coren
The guy from
CHRONICL E V ICTORI A COREN
the Ladies Event I think saying that “professional” female players shouldn’t play either is a bit of a red herring. The women who choose to only play women-only tournaments aren’t doing that because they feel uncomfortable with good players, it’s that they feel uncomfortable with the overwhelmingly male-dominated fields in the live game. They feel out of place. This kind of thing is a counterweight to that. Some women prefer to go to a women-only gym, or go out for drinks at night with a group of girlfriends. It’s the same kind of idea, about feeling relaxed; they don’t mind going to the gym with fitter women, or drinking with women who get drunk more slowly than they do. It’s about a girls’ day out. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, or shouldn’t be allowed. Anyway, where would you draw the line? Some of the commenters said I shouldn’t play because I’m a “pro,” but what does that even mean? I’m on PokerStars Team Pro. But by profession, I’m a writer. I’m out at the World Series for a couple of weeks and I’m playing four tournaments. After this, my next live tournament will probably be in another few months and at home in London. To those who said I didn’t play the women’s event “for fun” – yes I did. I play all poker for fun. And that event is a lot more fun than most. Of course it’s also attractive that it’s a softer field than others. But you’re getting into Lewis Carroll territory if you say that’s a reason for WOMEN players to avoid it. The point about men avoiding it is that if they all flooded in, it would be just like every other tournament, and the shyer recreational players (who make this “softness” in the field) would go away because they don’t want to play a “mixed event” (ie. an almost entirely male event); so, in their one attempt at grabbing the cash through a legal loophole, these guys would have killed it off completely. (But to the guy who said it’s the only tournament that’s +EV for me because I haven’t “moved with the times,” and it’s my only chance of getting any money, that’s a bit harsh. I won an EPT event two months ago! If you expect to win five and six figure sums more often than that, you’re one of the people who’s been
I was out, he pissed me off. He knew perfectly well he was doing something at best cheeky and at worst nasty when he bought in, he should be able to take a bit of verbal challenge
bamboozled by the modern myth and you need to read my book.) To the people who said it sounded like I started it with the guy: yup, that’s true. Like the vast majority of women in the room (maybe all of them – I haven’t met one who felt otherwise) and the vast majority of men watching as well, I was annoyed in principle by the insult of these guys playing. I think it’s rude and selfish. When one of them came to my table, I absolutely took the opportunity to ask him why he was doing it. Maybe I should have done nothing but smile and wish him luck, but I’m not Jesus! If someone does something I find offensive, for better or worse I tend to mention it. I wasn’t horrible though. I was teasing him. I was hoping he’d have a decent explanation and we could thrash out the whole idea. But when he said “Don’t get your panties in a twist” (or “bunch,” as a witness says it was, though I’m not sure that makes a difference), and then actually called the floor again after I was out, he pissed me off. He knew perfectly well he was doing something at best cheeky and at worst nasty when he bought in, he should be able to take a bit of verbal challenge. I did say he was an asshole at the end. When he called the floor for that, despite the fact that I was out of the tournament and leaving, I might have said he was a dick as well. I’m not proud of that. But it’s not going to kill him. Blimey, I had a lot worse when I was his age. You want to try being the only woman in a poker game in 1998? I had men looking down my top and putting their hands up my skirt. But it wasn’t all good news – I also had them telling me women were too stupid to play, asking why I wasn’t out looking for a husband, telling me I didn’t belong there… Poker is a tough game and if you crumble at a bit of stick then it isn’t the game for you. However, the WSOP
ladies’ event is and always was a little oasis; it’s not about hard cold bracelet and money pursuit; I’m protective of that spirit in all sorts of poker and I don’t like to see it under threat. I have felt a bit guilty about giving the guy a hard time, of course. I’m not horrible. I have wondered if he stumbled in by mistake, if he just heard that men played and imagined everyone thought that was fine, if he’d been horrified to find he was only one of about ten men in it and just tried to put his head down and get through it for fear of losing the buy-in, if he hadn’t expected to have to defend that choice to anyone and felt flummoxed. Meh, but then I remember him saying “Don’t get your panties in a twist,” and calling the floor at the end, and I’m over the guilt. This was a guy deliberately getting stuck in. He’ll be all right. He knew he was getting himself into mischief when he bought in, and when he was challenged he chose to escalate it rather than look sheepish or make a joke of it. Maybe he’s at the start of a long poker career. I hope he’ll learn over time, as I hope all young players will learn, that it’s about so much more than +EV and ROI. It’s about being gracious whether you’re winning or losing, about being good-tempered and sporting, about not going on tilt, about pressing your advantage but not exploiting people for the wrong reasons, about knowing when to stop, about taking the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune (whether it’s an opponent spiking a middle pin, or a bunch of women saying you shouldn’t be gatecrashing their tournament) with backbone and a philosophical attitude and a smile. Just like life, just like life, just like life. I’m still working on it myself, and always will be. I wish him luck, I genuinely do. That’s not sarcastic. It’s a long road ahead, I’m sure he’s got a good heart in there, and I wish him luck.
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jake cody
Vegas baby!
C H R O N I C L E j a k e co d y
Calling ‘off the rails’ my relationship to reality would be an understatement for how I would describe my time in Vegas, it had officially gotten me, my friend Madison described it as so far off the rails you are driving the train straight into the ocean, which is a lot closer to the truth. However, I don’t want this to come across as depressing… I am well aware of the train and the last month or so have been some of the most fun-filled and action packed of my entire life, I never really had a Vegas blow-out, I was much more sensible last year. The year before that I was only here for the main event and made day4 so most of my time was spent playing poker, and a lot of my friends were burnt out from the whole series. So I think I saved it all up for this year. It has definitely been crazy, and part of what Vegas is all about, and I wouldn’t change any of it. I don’t really know where to start, so much has happened since I last made a post. I’ll start off with the poker. When I first got here in May, I was here for the WPT $25k, which has good news and bad news. The bad news is I busted early on day two, after losing an absurd hand on day one where I got all-in three way on a A56 all hearts flop with 78 of hearts up against AQ with the queen of hearts for top pair and a flush draw, and KQ with the K of hearts for just a bare flush draw and with my straight flush blockers they remarkably had 4 outs between them, but the J of hearts on the river was one of them and that was me crippled and I couldn’t recover. Frustrating as the tournament had a hell of a lot of value for a $25k. The good news is I swapped a % with two friends, JP Kelly and Marvin Rettenmaier… the latter went on to WIN the whole thing. I have known Marvin for a while now playing in Europe and I was extremely happy for him regardless because he’s an awesome guy and totally deserving for how much he grinds the live scene. The following week or so before the WSOP started I grinded the cash games at Bellagio and the Wynn, with a decent amount of success and I really should put some more hours in when I get chance. High hopes were everywhere and after the amazing start we all had last year, this time round has been somewhat of a
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disappointment not only for me but the rest of the uk guys haven’t really had much success either. In fact this year I went 0/15 before I cashed. Most of the tournaments I just snap lost the first all-in and that was that, I did make day two in one of the 1500′s after a really fun day sat half with Matusow and the other half with my good friends Craig McCorkell and Sam Grafton, but I lost AA to AT all-in pre late on day1 and then just lost a race on day2. The only other two tournaments I have come close to cashing are the 10k Heads Up which I bubbled to Michael Drummond in a frustrating run of events then actually felt I was going to make a run at one last week in the 4max. I made it through to day two top 10 in chips out of 84 with 80 paid and still managed to pure bubble, I got in AJ against AK for a huge pot which I’m not totally happy about but I felt the dynamic was more than fine and it was kinda BS he had AK but whatever no one wants to hear people complaining about luck… Especially from me! That’s was the story of much of the WSOP for me, but I’m still confident I was playing all and things started to change in Event 59 the $1k NL, I ran insanely well on day1 winning every all-in and a huge one where a guy induced with AQ into my AA and finished the day as one of the chipleaders with 77k from 3k starting. Cruised through most of day2 losing a few frustrating pots and then winning a little back finished with about average chips and just 50 players left and $650,000 for the win I was excited, with most of the field reasonably soft I felt I had a good shot. Terrible time
Its been a crazy summer and I was genuinely sad to leave for lots of reasons, I was there for nearly 3 months and it was starting to feel like home to go card dead for the first two hours then raise called KQs on the button against the bb A9 and the flop came A high then got a few shoves through and finally shipped 99 and lost to AQ. Happy for Dominik Nitsche who managed to take it down though! Finally it was the main event, the most exciting tournament of the year bar none, the atmosphere around the Rio was buzzing and I couldn’t wait to get started. I wasn’t feeling burnt out at all I love Vegas and I was ready to play. Don’t want to draw this out too much but things went very smoothly over days 1 and two had great draws and finished day1 on 125k from 30 and day2 on 322k, with blinds at 800/1600/200 I was crushing. Then everything fell apart on day3, I lost every hand nothing got through then lost 99 to JJ, AK to 66 and finally ran AQ into AK near the end of the day and a few off the money, sigh. ANYWAY… The rest of the time there has been FUN FUN FUN and more FUN! I’m already excited about seeing this sign next year. Its been a crazy summer and I was genuinely sad to leave for lots of reasons, I was there for nearly 3 months and it was starting to feel like home. I really wish I blogged more there were so many stories and more pictures that I can’t fit into one blog. However it’s great being back in Leeds and seeing everyone back home. Going to recharge/hibernate here for two weeks then back to the tournament grind starting with EPT Barcelona, my favorite stop and maybe my favorite place in the whole world… maybe bar Vegas. n
C H R O N I cl E k ara s cott
kara scott
Spontaneous Dance Parties So I’m in Las Vegas. It’s been a curious trip so far. Sadly, I don’t have any good poker results to report. I ended up playing six events with my Party Poker patch on and bricked them all DESPITE having a copy of the luckiest lucky poker charm around – BJ Nemeth’s WSOP Pocket Guide. This guide is made in very small numbers every year by BJ “poker photographer extraordinaire” Nemeth himself. They’re not only reputed to be exceptionally lucky but they’re a really handy little book full of good information for the WSOP – start times, break times etc. This was the first year I was able to get my hands on one and as there had been reports of them showing up in the pockets of many a final table-ist all summer, I was hopeful for a little extra run good. They’re the 2012 equivalent of wearing a Micro’s tee-shirt. Sadly, it wasn’t to be. Like I said, I bricked all six events and have been preparing for work ever since. I can’t really complain though. I have some incredible life run-good. I’m still thinking about digging out my Micro’s tee though. I’ve been in Las Vegas for three weeks now and you’d think that I’d have some great stories of strippers, parties, clubs and random encounters to tell. I promise, I’m not just holding them back! I actually spent a solid week hiding in my hotel room trying not to die from the flu. Bleurgh. I’m a lot better now thankfully as the rest of my time in Vegas is going to be busy with the ESPN broadcast of the WSOP. We started with the Million Dollar buy in event, the Big One for One Drop and wow... the Cirque du Soleil drummers really amped up the atmosphere at the final table. We were doing the show nearly live (on a 15-minute delay) on ESPN and I was really stoked to get a chance to work like that again. I love live TV. I love ESPN. There’s just a buzz there that I don’t get anywhere else. So now, we’re heading towards the Main Event. It’s been a pretty full summer so I’m looking forward to relaxing a bit at the WPT National Series in Venice, Italy right afterwaards (July 21-25). I frakking love Venice so I jump at any chance to go there and playing a smaller National Series buy in event in Italy sounds like the perfect antidote to busting a bunch of WSOP events. Sometimes the best parts of the WSOP are those random nights
where nobody really expects to do anything but the great Random Number Generator that is the Universe, spins its way to a jackpot. I love those nights. I’m not really big on crazy parties or clubs although I’ve had some pretty incredible nights at clubs during crazy parties. It seems though, that as the summers fly by, I prefer the random nights. Like catching up at the Hooker Bar at the Rio for drinks with my friend Al (also known as Alcanthang). Or heading downtown for steaks at Binion’s and then low stakes mixed games where the locals are literally pushing each other out of the way to get onto our tables. Or a really fun, totally chilled out night spent at Insert Coins with some of my friends who had a night off from working the media rail at the World Series. For those of you who haven’t been there, Insert Coins is a bar near Freemont Street in Las Vegas. Its unique selling point is that it’s stuffed full of any kind of arcade game that you can think of. Even better, for just $25 per person in drinks for the whole night, you can rent out a table with any two consoles of your choice and just game your brains out for hours. My particular poison was Street Fighter on SNES. It’s been a long damn time since I worked a controller but it’s just like falling off a bike. And I’ve always been really good at falling off of bikes. After manfully trying to drink $25 worth of cut-price Red Stripes in a couple of hours, I was almost convinced to enter the Michael Jackson dance contest that the bar was running. Thankfully, as I was warming up, I saw some of the REAL competition and wisely sobered up enough to shrink back with the rest of the wallflowers. Wow. Seriously. These people could DANCE. There was this tiny little Hawaiian dude there who could actually bounce on his head. Repeatedly. His breakdancing skills were ridiculously good but as they weren’t technically “MJ” enough, he didn’t end up winning. Once the new pseudo-king of pop was crowned, the dance floor filled up with those of us who had been dying to bust a move since the music had started. Chip Bitch even did the worm. I fucking love spontaneous dance parties.
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* Elie Payan, 2011 WSOP WINNER
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ARIA Resort & Casino
Let the awe of ARIA seduce you
Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, ARIA Resort & Casino is a AAA Five Diamond Award-winning destination that is different by design. It is an epic resort filled with spectacular public spaces, lavish amenities and endless temptations. ARIA’s luxurious guestrooms and suites, including the exclusive ARIA Sky Suites, feature plush bedding, expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, and advanced integrated technology that puts total control of lighting, temperature, music, and breathtaking views at guests’ fingertips. Impeccable hospitality and personalized attention join with an incredible array of attractions. The resort features a variety of acclaimed dining options from awardwinning chefs, a distinctive collection of lounges and bars, the indulgent Spa & Salon at ARIA, and the captivating entertainment. From world-class shopping and exhilarating gaming to the limitless adventures around every corner, the awe of ARIA is sure to seduce you. By Julien Morello 28 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
travel
I
In a city like Las Vegas, known for an extraordinary history of dynamic cutting-edge developments, how does one destination stand out among a crowd of world-class resorts? The answer: with industry-leading technology, impeccable service and a commitment to the environment. ARIA Resort & Casino, in the heart of Las Vegas, has done just that. Built with the vision to be a next-generation resort experience unlike the world has ever seen before, ARIA’s breathtaking beauty and stunning innovation sweeps guests off their feet with a refreshing level of consciousness in every detail, a palpable energy and sense of fun. With its unprecedented combination of high-end service, spectacular amenities, striking architecture, and sustainable design, ARIA Resort & Casino received the highly coveted AAA Five Diamond Award in its first year representing an extraordinary level of excellence. Soon after, ARIA’s Sky Suites were similarly recognized. With these honors, ARIA now boasts two AAA Five Diamond hotels with distinct experiences all under one roof. In addition to its sumptuous accommodations, Sky Suites adds personalized touches. From airport limousine transportation to a personal greeting upon arrival into Sky Suites’ private porte cochere, guests of the Sky Suites receive dedicated service throughout their stay. Listed as one of the top 20 best up-and-coming hotels by Travel + Leisure, ARIA’s distinction from other resorts on The Strip is evident at first sight. Designed by the world-renowned firm Pelli Clarke Pelli, ARIA embodies the excitement and vitality of Las Vegas in a 21st century building. It reflects a combination of innovation, energy and visionary design meant to reshape how the world views the destination resort experience, attracting visitors from around the globe.
The Spa & Salon at ARIA
ARIA Sky Suite Panoramic Penthouse
Bringing a new level of environmental consciousness to the world-famous Strip from design and construction to operations and guest amenities, ARIA accomplishes this without sacrificing the quality of materials or guest experience. The world’s first stretch-limo fleet powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) to an electric vehicle charging station conveniently located at neighboring Crystals Retail & Entertainment District, to a stunning public Fine Art Collection using reclaimed materials, ARIA presents surprises around every corner.
Masa Takayama of barMASA brings his take on modern Japanese cuisine while Shawn McClain of Sage offers a new American menu laced with Mediterranean subtexts to the Las Vegas culinary scene. Seasoned Las Vegas chef Julian Serrano explores his Spanish roots with both traditional and innovative tapas, while the legendary Maccioni family provides impeccable Italian taste at Sirio Ristorante. Other offerings include AMERICAN FISH by Michael Mina and Jean Georges Steakhouse.
In addition to its exemplary service and state-of-the-art amenities, ARIA boasts some of the world’s top chefs and has quickly carved out its niche as a world-class dining destination. With tastes that can satisfy any craving,
Those guests looking for the hottest ticket in town should look no further than Zarkana™ by Cirque du Soleil®. This visually stunning acrobatic spectacular is making ARIA its exclusive and permanent home after touring Moscow’s
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travel Kremlin State Palace Theatre, Arena Madrid and Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Starting November 1, guests can experience this spellbinding extravaganza for the first time in Las Vegas. Zarkana features more than twelve traditional circus acts with a modern twist, including flying trapeze, juggling, high wire, and hand balancing that will leave guests breathless. After the show, let the nightlife begin. From quiet bars and lounges where guests can relax and chat with old friends, to hip and trendy lounges where they can make new ones, ARIA brings the night to life and provides lots of options to match the state of mind. The Deuce Lounge is an invigorating destination fusing the elements of an upscale lounge with high-limit gaming, creating an intimate nightlife experience. Gold Boutique Nightclub and Lounge brings a more refined nightlife experience to guests with an intimate dance floor and VIP bottle service. If a high-energy, dynamic scene is more appealing, the colossal, 25,000-square-foot nightclub, HAZE, features an Avalon-designed sound system, 20-foot walls of flickering lights and interactive projection screens which navigate the space on five moving trusses, producing a surge of sights and sounds that engulf guests in its euphoric haze.
Even in a dynamic city such as Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino is a fusion of energy, inspiration and vision that is demonstrably different than anything that has preceded it.
No Las Vegas resort experience would be complete without a world-class casino, and ARIA delivers just that and more. Offering 150,000 square feet of gaming, ARIA’s unique layout and design elements allow guests to enjoy the energy and excitement of their favorite selections in a fun, modern setting. For high-end players, exclusive salons offer high-limit slot and table games in private environments. For the poker player, the non-smoking, luxurious 24-table ARIA Poker Room hosts daily and nightly tournaments with text message seat notification as well as tableside food and massage service. Those looking to play the Big Game will find it at “The Ivey Room” at ARIA, hosting some of the highest cash games in the world. Regardless of the game, guests playing poker at ARIA will be taken care of by top-notch staff in the best poker room in the city.
Rounding out the complete destination experience is ARIA’s 80,000-square-foot, two-level spa and salon. With services from classic Swedish and hot stone massages to facials and spa rituals, the Spa & Salon at ARIA invites guests into a peaceful haven where nature’s healing properties take center stage. Synchronizing balance and beauty, The Spa and Salon at ARIA offers 62 treatment rooms, private spa suites, a full-service salon, an advanced fitness center and Las Vegas’ first coed spa balcony, featuring an outdoor infinity-edge pool. For those looking for something unique, guests should spend time relaxing in the Shio Salt Room, featuring an illuminated wall of salt bricks, as well as the Ganbanyoku Stone Bed room, the only spa in the United Staes to offer these Japanese stone beds. Beyond the excitement of the resort’s venues and amenities, guests will experience pure bliss upon entering their luxurious guest room. Each room and suite feature panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows and cutting-edge technology – which creates that hallmark experience for these plush retreats. Upon first entering the room, each guest will experience a truly unique welcome: curtains open, lights turn on and the TV displays a menu of options, allowing them to personalize their experience. The touch of a button controls temperature, music and TV channels, privacy notifications, and alarm clock and light settings.
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The Poker Room at ARIA
rencontre
Michael Mizrachi A champion among champions
He may be only thirty years old, but Michael Mizrachi has already led an entire life on the gambling trail: ups, downs, feats, trophies, bankruptcy, addiction. But the man is stronger than his leaks, and gained his nickname — “The Grinder” — by tirelessly coming back to the top of his game. He knows how to bounce back: hounded by tax problems, bad investments and a serious weakness for (depending on his mood) roulette or craps tables, this Miami-based player has, alongside guys like Gus Hansen, been labeled a “bad boy of poker.” Much like the Great Dane, Mizrachi fears nothing — especially not winning. His ultraaggressive play is un-playable both in the No Limit Hold’em games and in the mixed-games, and his tournament swings have since become legendary. “This type of player always pushes you out of your comfort zone,” Bruno Fitoussi mused before the $50,000 Players Championship finale this summer at the WSOP, where both players had qualified. Kind and profoundly personable, in real life Mizrachi is light years away from his aggressive persona at the poker tables. When he won this tournament for the second time this year — a competition reserved for top-notch players — Mizrachi did not even have time to party and celebrate despite winning $1,559,000: he simply rushed to the nearest Rio Casino cashier to withdraw only $559,000. “Keep the million,” he said, “and get me into the One Drop For One Million.” Action will always be The Grinder’s fuel. He accepted to meet us during his only day off, after these two tournaments. The setting? Bellagio’s Bobby’s Room, an ultra-private spot where the Big Game takes place every day, for one of the highest tables in the world. It was 1 p.m. in Las Vegas, almost early morning for these night owls, and next to us some players — Brian Rast, Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harman and Greg Mueller — were waiting for Mizrachi to start the game. Michael Mizrachi is from now on the ambassador for the incredible ISPT project, a 30,000 players competition set at Wembley stadium in 2013. By Jerome Schmidt / pictures: Jules Pochy
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interview
You seem particularly happy with this second victory in a row in the prestigious Players Championship tournament…
Before this tournament started, I have to admit that I was in a “whine” mode: I kept on complaining about the bad beats I had, and my friends were already mocking me gently about this. Since my WSOP-Europe win last fall, in the new tournament format invented by Jack Effel, it has been quite a desert of cards… But the $50,000 tournament is for sure one of the best tournaments in the world for pros. Even better than the Main Event, even if there is of course less value in playing it… You have a big smile but yesterday you busted from the
most expensive tournament in the world, the $1,000,000 “One Drop”…
Oh, it took me no more than an hour to get along with it! (laughs) But, seriously, how could I complain about busting from this big sit’n’go, even if it’s a million dollars buy-in, after my week of incredible luck and play at the Players Championship? The One Drop was a great tournament for sure, but there was not that much dead money, despite all the pros bragging about that, and variance is so much harder in NLHE than in mixed-games, it is a totally different game. Hopefully, no pros had 100% of their action, and we played very relaxed, forgetting about the buy-in itself! When Sam Trickett busted in
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second place, he seemed very disappointed but, frankly, I’d like to be disappointed with a $10,000,000 win! (laughs). Even everyday! These figures are just astonishing… This victory seemed easier than the previous one; was it?
One of my friends told me: “You are cruisin’, Mike!” after the finale, and to be honest the final table has been one of a kind. Everything seemed to go my way, I had the tempo, the good cards, the right moves… The third hand of the finale is exemplary in this way: Bruno Fitoussi moves his short stack all-in, and Bill Chen just calls with As-King. I raise him with Aces in the blinds, Chen moves allin, and I bust two players in a row!
That is what I call “good timing”! (laughs) Even if players could have seen my cards, I would have won anyway… Sometimes poker is like that, just magic. I am lucky enough that it was during the year’s most important tournament. I just finished them all in 5 hours: I did not have to bluff them, as I got all the cards and the set-ups. The beginning of your tournament seemed way more complicated, with a lot of huge swings…
I have been either chip leader or the shortest stack at the table! (laughs). But this is my style of play: I like to take risks, always putting the pressure on my opponents. I do not want
to finish ITM but to win it all. In a poker tournament, everything can happen and the chips fly from one seat to another. The sentence “A chip and a chair” is true. I always try to play my best, and after, it is mainly luck and hazard — in both ways. I never complain, I mean almost never, about luck, as it has created both my losses and my victories. Is the Players Championship the most difficult tournament ever?
Its field implies no dead money at all: the biggest cash-game players in the world gather for it every year, as they are the only ones playing mixed-games at that level. Of course, some of them have leaks in some poker games, and one has to do
his best with this. Even some do not know how to play Deuce-to-seven for example, and they prefer not playing it as they think they have an edge in other formats. I am not sure it is a good solution though… But mistakes are really rare, and each poker format requires some special skills. For example, in Stud, one has to focus especially and have a good photographic memory about all the cards which have been revealed. After your 2010 victory, you used to say that you did not know all the poker formats, especially in cash-games with Badugi and Badeucy…
These formats have not yet been incorporated in the Players Cham-
When Sam Trickett busted in second place, he seemed very disappointed but, frankly, I’d like to be disappointed with a $10,000,000 win! Even everyday! These figures are just astonishing POKER 52 europa // september-october 2012 // ISSUE 7
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interview pionship, and I am even not sure that no one does master these formats! (laughs) With time, I realized that these games imply a lot and a lot of gamble and everyone — even the best players — tend to gamble too much whilst playing Badugi or Badeucy. I am doing OK in these games, but nothing crazy I guess. I played the other formats online, a lot… Before Black Friday, on Full Tilt or Pokerstars, these games were really quite popular amongst the high stakes community. After April 15, I mostly played live games, in cash-game. I have always appreciated the Stud games, for example, because these are the ones I especially master. During the first round of Poker Players Championship in 2012, I picked up the Stud 8-orbetter because I have a good edge in it. My global tournament poker strategy implies taking some big risks early in the tournament, and it can be very rewarding… Did you begin poker by playing Stud games?
I started playing poker with my brothers, who are also very good in mixed-games. In my family, we simply love card games: just tell us the rules of a game, and we are quick to master it! (laughs) Regarding poker, I just feel I have played at it since I was born. I like to discover new formats, and try to adapt my strategies in new territories, try some new stuff… I began playing poker professionally at 15: I used to finance my high school and college years that way,
My global tournament poker strategy implies taking some big risks early in the tournament, and it can be very rewarding 36 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
and since then, I never looked back. Depending on years, months or even weeks, I was either a big loser or on the top of the world, above the sun or six feet under! (laughs) I have been there, everywhere, and I think I am pretty strong regarding the big swings from now on. In 2010, before my $50,000 title, I had some big money issues, because of bad investments. Since then I’ve been trying to be more careful, as I now have a big family, which is the most important thing in my life. When someone talks to me about rollercoasters, believe me, I have ridden some of the craziest ones on earth! Some of them could have driven me mad, I could have not been able to come back. But I did, and that is why I am stronger than ever. Has Black Friday changed your life?
The main interest of online poker, for me, was to be able to stay at home with my family and not flying out of Miami. Now I have to travel to gamble, which sometimes keeps me away too long from my loved ones, and costs a lot of money. I know that some casinos have opened in Miami, but the games are not interesting for me yet. But regarding the number of billionaires out there, I am pretty sure it will soon be juicy! (laughs) They mostly play NLHE or PLO, with big swings induced, and I can get bored in those games. NLHE is pretty much always the same and I need at least four cards in my hand to have fun at the table. Which Players Championship title has been the more moving to win for you?
In 2010, for my first title, I was not financially at ease and it has been such a relief to win this at that time. Moreover, my brother was at the final table this day, and it was pure magic. But my mother was pretty much not at ease with it as she was angry at
ambassador of the ISPT event
Michael Mizrachi is the ambassador of a brand new poker event, the ISPT. The International Stadiums Poker Tour is a poker tournament that takes place every year in a world-famous stadium. It is the biggest poker tournament in the world consisting of 30,000 players, a prize pool of 20,000,000€ and is broadcasted on the Television in more than 28 countries. Set up by Bernard Tapie, Laurent Tapie and Prosper Masquelier, the first edition of the ISPT will take place in London’s famous Wembley Stadium. It is the biggest stadium in England and one of the biggest in the world, with a seating capacity of 90,000 and a retractable roof. ISPT is one tournament midway between online and live. Players will start to play online in the stadium with their own laptops. Then the 3000 remaining players will play live. Michael Mizrachi was enthusiastic when he heard about the ISPT event, saying, “it’s a wonderful idea and I wanted to be in this project. As soon as I met Prosper in London last year I knew that the ISPT was going to be a massive success, and that I needed to be part of the project any way I could. The event has appeal across all nations, and Wembley is just the perfect location for a €600 entry tournament with a €20,000,000 guarantee.” That’s why he wore the ISPT’s colors during some events of WSOP 2012 and became the official ISPT ambassador worldwide.
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interview me for busting my brother! She was there to support me, and then my brother, then me, and as she wanted the both of us to win, she was not happy when he got busto! (laughs) After, when I won, she just burst into tears, and could not help crying‌ In 2011, my brother even bubbled this tournament. How have your parents reacted to the fact that all their sons became professional poker players?
My mother has always been very supportive during all those years; my father was a little bit more sceptical at the beginning because he was afraid it would drive us crazy. He is more an eastern type Israelite, where as my mother is New York style, and she loves to gamble. She wanted us to be happy, and when we began playing with the best players in the world, my father became confident in our level of play. Even my mother plays online or in Atlantic City! (laughs)
What memory do you have of your Main Event final table in 2010?
The 2010 Main Event has been very hard to forget: with five players left, I was the chipleader and I really thought I could win it. I had this bracelet just a couple feet away from me and I seemed to master the table easily. But I ended up busting in fifth place, and it was all very frustrating. You do not play a Main Event final table every day, you know, and it might have been the only time on my life. Of course, I hope I will be able to give it another shot‌
Moreover, my brother was at the final table this day, and it was pure magic. But my mother was pretty much not at ease with it as she was angry at me for busting my brother
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Prize list 25 mar. 2007 2012
Tournament
Result
Earnings
24 june
WSOP $ 50,000 The Poker Players Championship (Event #45) 43rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2012, Las Vegas
1
1,451,527
19 may
WPT $ 25,000 No Limit Hold’em Championship WPT World Championship, Las Vegas
3
424,618
2011
Tournament
Result
14 dec.
EPL $ 20,000 Mix-Max No-Limit Hold’Em - League Main Event Entry restricted - 2011-12 Epic Poker League - Event 3, Las Vegas
4
12 oct.
WSOP € 10,000 Mixed No Limit Hold’em - 2011 World Series of Poker - Europe, Cannes
1
27 june
WSOP $ 2,500 Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo 42nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2011, Las Vegas
2010
Tournament
2 Result
Earnings 174,640
448,861
5 july
WSOP $ 10,000 World Championship - No Limit Hold’em 41st World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2010, Las Vegas
5
2,332,992
3 june
WSOP $ 10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship 41st World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2010, Las Vegas
6
68,949
28 may
WSOP $ 50,000 The Players Championship Event 8 Game 41st World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2010, Las Vegas
1
2009
Tournament
Result 1
120,036
27 april
[WSOPC] $ 5,000 No Limit Hold’em - Championship Event WSOP Circuit - Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
2
143,512
Tournament
Result
7 nov.
$ 10,000 No Limit Hold’em - Shootout - Dennis Phillips Chipleader Challenge, Las Vegas
2
29 june
WSOP $ 10,000 World Championship Pot Limit Omaha 39th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2008, Las Vegas
3
$ 3,000 No Limit Hold’em Sixth Annual Five Star World Poker Classic - WPT World Championship, Las Vegas
1
8 april
Earnings
Result
74,931 Earnings
12 may
1
85,031
9 feb.
$ 10,000 No Limit Hold’em Heads-Up Championships 2007 1st Annual Heads-Up Championships, Compton
3
53,750
15 jan.
[WSOPC] $ 5,000 No Limit Hold’em - Championship Event WSOP Circuit - Grand Tunica, Robinsonville
6
90,873
Tournament
2006
Result
Earnings
2 aug.
$ 1,000 No Limit Hold’em Bellagio Cup II, Las Vegas
1
134,440
31 may
$ 2,000 No Limit Hold’em Mandalay Bay Poker Championship, Las Vegas
1
114,850
10 feb.
$ 2,425 No Limit Hold’em 2006 L.A. Poker Classic, Los Angeles
2
124,402
29 jan.
WPT $ 9,700 WPT Championship Event - No Limit Hold’em 2006 Borgata Winter Open - WPT, Atlantic City
1
1,173,373
19 jan.
WPT $ 10,000 Championship Event - No Limit Hold’em 2006 Gold Strike World Poker Open, Tunica
2
566,352
Tournament
2005
Result
Earnings
3 dec.
$ 5,000 No Limit Hold’em Fourth Annual Five Diamond World Poker Classic, Las Vegas
4
56,660
12 may
$ 1,500 Heads-Up US NLH Championship 2005 Mirage Poker Showdown, Las Vegas
1
203,700
18 april
WPT $ 25,000 Main Event (WPT) No Limit Hold’em Championship Third Annual Five-Star World Poker Classic, Las Vegas
11
94,355
18 feb.
WPT $ 9,603 Main Event - No Limit Hold’em Championship 2005 L.A. Poker Classic, Los Angeles
1
1,859,909
24 jan.
WPT $ 10,000 World Poker Open Championship Event - No Limit Hold’em The Sixth Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open, Tunica
5
288,241
5 dec.
$ 2,000 No Limit Hold’em Five-Diamond World Poker Classic, Las Vegas
1
273,040
Earnings
$ 5,000 No Limit Hold’em Festa al Lago, Las Vegas
7
$ 2,000 No Limit Hold’em Mirage Poker Showdown, Las Vegas
1,559,046
19 oct.
2008
Tournament
158,148 Earnings
WPT $ 7,500 No Limit Hold’em Championship Event 2008 World Poker Challenge WPT, Reno
73,480
331,279
154,960 Total earnings (career): $ 14,069,764 Total 2012: $ 1,986,104
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DOYLE
as x e “t
”
lly o d
BRUNSON
Doyleisme of the day:
“Sometimes the best helping hand you can get is a good firm push” 40 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
THE GODFATHER OF POKER The 2012 WSOP was pretty uneventful for me. I played in four tournaments and went fairly deep in three of them but failed to cash in any of them I’ve been trying to write a blog for several weeks and couldn’t do it for some strange reason. I’ve heard of writers block but it has never happened to me before. I feel bad because when a friend took over www.DoyleBrunson.com I agreed to write one every week. My only excuse is that I’ve been playing poker every day, 10-14 hours. I guess I’ve been so focused that I couldn’t concentrate on anything else. The good news is I’m on the best “heater” that I’ve had for years. This blog might be a lot of rambling but the only thing I know to do is start writing. I remember the old saying, “The longest journey begins with a single step.” The 2012 WSOP was pretty uneventful for me. I played in four tournaments and went fairly deep in three of them but failed to cash in any of them. It used to be the most exciting poker of the year when the WSOP came around but now it’s too much to play the long hours day after day with no immediate results. I’ve never really gotten into the “bracelet race” and the tournaments are for younger players and I wish all of them good luck and hope they have good results. Another memory of the 2012 WSOP will be my losing another scooter. It flew off the lift on my Escalade as I was leaving the Rio after day 1 of the Main Event. It was about 2 o’clock in the morning and as I made a sharp left on Flamingo I heard a strange noise behind me. I looked back and couldn’t see anything but I suspected my scooter had broken loose. The traffic was so bad I couldn’t turn back, so I continued home where I could see the lift had malfunctioned and the scooter was gone. This confirmed the “WSOP Scooter Jinx.” I’ve lost three scooters since I started using them a few years ago because of my bad leg and all three were during the WSOP. One had slipped off similar to this year and I never found it. Another time I left the key in my scooter when I went into the restroom and someone drove it away, never to be seen again. So I’ll be extremely careful next WSOP. I liked the joke one of my Twitter followers sent me. This homeless guy was at the Pearly Gate talking to God. God asked him “What are you doing here? Your time on earth isn’t up yet.” The homeless guy replied, “I was just walking along Flamingo Avenue in Las Vegas when this scooter comes flying through the air and here I am.” I’m certainly glad this isn’t a reality!
Find Doyle Brunson at www.pokerroad.com
I didn’t follow the events closely because I was playing most of the time. I did notice that Phil Helmuth had a good series and won his 12th bracelet. It was a non hold-em event and perhaps now he will get the respect he deserves. Nobody plays harder or plays more events than Phil and it is evident he is becoming an all-around player. I was also proud of my son Todd, as he came in second in a tournament. He almost got his second bracelet which in my opinion is the most important and most difficult to win. Another thing is quite clear. Vanessa Selbst is not only the best female player in the world, she is one of the top poker players, male or female. I’ve always been a bottom line guy and you can’t deny the results Vanessa has had the past few years. She is a stand out favorite to be the first female poker player to win the main event in a future WSOP. While playing at a cash game at the Bellagio a strange thing happened. Some kid who looked like he might not be old enough to be in the casino walked into Bobby’s Room. He looked at all the cash and large denomination chips, then turned back and walked to the door as if he was leaving. He made a quick spin and came back to our game and looked directly at me. He then looked again at the money, turned and went out the door where several players at a different game heard him say, “I’m going to come back with a gun and take that money.” Someone alerted the floor supervisors who called security. When security got there we told them what had happened and they got the surveillance tapes and put out an alert on the Kid. Both of the games broke up as nervous players wanted to leave. I told the security man if he would allow me to get my gun I always carry in my car I would stay and keep playing. They of course said no so I left. I didn’t like the idea of being a sitting duck for some nut case. In the cash games we have at the Bellagio there is nothing worse than some pro who thinks they play so well they can’t lose. Just because a guy is a winning player doesn’t mean he (or she) can’t have an extended losing streak. It completely disgusts me when a competent player whines about playing conditions, bad cards, dealers or the players who are winning. Oh well, as Hyman Roth said in The Godfather, “This is the life we have chosen.” May the flop be with you. n
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TONY G.
C hronicle T O N Y G
Paris, paris The Olympics is over and I must say I had the time of my life as an official Lithuanian attachÊ. I have always been a huge basketball fan and to be involved with the team is a dream come true. It is time for me to come back to reality, however (must say I need that after I went to the athletes after party in the village – what happened to their inhibitions?!) Poker is on the agenda and to warm up for a spell in Europe I am now in Minsk, Belarus, where I firmly believe the best cash games in the world are at the current time.
I am back to playing poker for the rest of the year. First up I will be representing PartyPoker at the WPT Grand Prix de Paris from September 10th – 15th. I haven’t been to the Aviation Club for a while now – the last time I went was in February 2011 for the National Series event. All I can say is Bruno Fitoussi get your finest cognac ready – I also hope that waiter who is qualified and got a big tip from me last time out is still there. Last time there we played a sit-and-go where the intention was for me to show just how bad the French players are. I busted but I was the top pro (bike time for Guillaume Darcourt). Anyway, I am looking forward to this event which will be fully televised so look forward to seeing Mike Sexton. There are plenty of places to smoke the shisha and even being at the ACF gives me memories of the time I came runner-up to that rock Surinder Sunar there back in 2004. I heard the WPT have produced a series called ‘Greatest Moments’ based on the old episodes and this one is in there – in fact it is the final episodes! I know Surinder will be in Paris and he is haunted for life by that experience, despite the fact that he won. I do need to moderate my drinking somewhat at the ACF but being a finely tuned Olympic athlete like I am now I know there will not be a problem! Some of the guys have talked about me taking cooking lessons and spending the night as a chef at a restaurant of Joel Robuchon - we’ll see. I know how to cook the finest wagyu medium rare on the barbecue for my dogs Zasko and Nordas so I am sure I have potential to qualify for this. Anyway it is time for me to conquer France – didn’t a British guy win the Tour de France? You need my guiding hand to send you all on your bikes! What you also have to remember is that it was in Paris that Howard Lederer and I first refused to shake hands. It is a place of deep significance. On PartyPoker during September there is a special promotion on where you can win the contents of my house – by that I mean EVERYTHING I HAVE. This will not be available in France and not on .Fr. I can only think this is
because of my generally superb behaviour in Paris and the intensely positive attitude I have to French players. Straight after Paris I am flying direct to WPT Malta. If rumours I am hearing are true I am going to be there with a certain Mr Phil Hellmuth again. Malta is a beautiful island but being in the commentary with him for the live stream after his inevitable day one bust out isn’t my idea of great fun. Actually, I lie, of course it will be fun, it will be paradise – needling Phil should be an Olympic sport and Lithuania would get gold! If you check out on the net you will see what fun I had last year. Hellmuth was bitten by a spider on the ear and resorted to taking drugs to heal the infection. I personally think I just got to him and I made his ear bleed – he didn’t turn into Peter Parker (I’m sure if there was a poker player who could it would be Phil as he is probably pals with Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield as well as Michael Phelps, Hilary Swank as well as a zillionaire trillionaire friend who isn’t Mark Zuckerberg). Malta is great – there is a reggae bar and even for a guy who stays in as much as I do these days there is plenty of colourful nightlife. Let’s get Hellmuth on the basketball court, let’s get him swimming (probably not best as he is firmly attached to the behind of retired human dolphin Michael Phelps). After that my intention is to go to WSOPE in Cannes. I enjoyed this last year and made a decent cash. Damn, that was some of the hardest poker I had played in a while – I just kept fighting and fighting. Talking of fighting it was also where Andrew Robl didn’t hear the declared all-in because of those damn evil headphones. It will be nice to see him there – what price he doesn’t have headphones on if I am at his table though? I’m not sure if the Caesars Cup is on this year but I appreciated the selection by Elky last year – we got the tactics wrong though – you needed to make sure Hellmuth was unable to avoid me. If it is on this year, I would have beaten him so hard at WPT Malta then that he will be hurting real bad. Victory will be a formality.
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creative commons : esyckr / flickr
UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS
Tournament
World Poker Tour & European Masters of Poker Barcelona
The Catalonian capital to host two major poker tournaments This fall, the beautiful city of Barcelona and its gorgeous Gran Casino will host two of the greatest international poker tournaments: first the amazing €1,000 + €100 European Masters of Poker series, from September 13-16, then the legendary €1,500 + 150 World Poker Tour National Series, kicking off on October 25 and ending on October 29. Players will be flocking to Spain for this double poker treat, so if you want to join the action, and take part in these two major events, the Catalonian capital will definitely be the place to be! By Philippe Aronson 46 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
T
This fall, Cannes won’t be the only place hosting major events, as Barcelona, Spain’s number one poker city, will be the meeting point of some of the best players on the scene, with two international series at the sumptuous Gran Casino. This seaside venue, set in the Port Olimpic, is one of Europe’s most prominent casinos, as it has for the last decade hosted some of the biggest international tournaments, such as the European Poker Tour and the Unibet Open. This year it will prove yet again that it is one of the most happening casinos on earth, with the fourth edition of the European Masters of Poker, and the brand new World Poker Tour National Series.
A new WPT National Series stop
After five editions of the biggest international circuit, in which hundreds of players generated millions in prize pools, Barcelona is now part of the WPT National Series Tour, with a lower buy-in that is sure to attract far more players than last year — when Swede Lukas Berglund went home with €231,500 and the title after defeating 215 opponents, including Frenchman Romain Matteoli on heads-up. This year, you will be able to enter the Barcelonan leg of the WPT for only €1,500 + €150. This WPT National Series will run from October 25-29, with two Day ones and a Re-entry option. The side events schedule has not yet been announced, but you can check on the WPT official Internet
How to get there?
By air: Barcelona El Prat International Airport is located 12 km from the city center and serves many European and world destinations via most major airlines. Train service connects the airport with Sants railway station every thirty minutes and the Aerobús leaves for the Plaza de Catalunya every fifteen minutes. Bus N17 operates all night. A taxi ride to the city center costs approximately 25€. By train: La Estacion de Sants has daily rail connections to French cities Montpellier and Paris. There are connections to Zurich four times a week and three to Milan. By car: From France, take the highway AP-7 to Barcelona-La Jonquera.
Everything is in place to offer you a great poker experience in Barcelona this fall POKER 52 europa // september-october 2012 // ISSUE 7
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Tournament
page for updates. By all odds this brand new configuration is going to attract one of the biggest fields of the WPT National Series circuit, with crowds of poker pros at the tables vying for their share of the huge prize pool.
And a huge European circuit series
One month before this WPT series, Gran Casino Barcelona will host the fourth season of one of the most popular and lively European poker circuits, the European Masters of Poker. The EMOP €1,000 + €100 Main Event will kick off on September 13, and at least 400 players will join the tables for this fourth edition, trying to grab the title won last 48 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
year by Norwegian player Andreas Hagen, for €100,100, after besting his 454 opponents. But if you get to Casino Barcelona earlier, you will have the opportunity to take part in some attractive side events, beginning September 10, with buy-ins ranging from €100 + €15 to €300 + €30, including two satellites to the Main Event and a 2-Day €300 + €30 NLHE event, running September 15-16. Perfect organization, attractive buy-ins, an experienced floor, an international field and a lovely setting — everything is in place to offer you a great poker experience in Barcelona this fall!
WPT Spanish Championship
List of Winners
European Masters of Poker
List of Winners
2007
2009
2008
2010
Field: 226 players; Prize pool: e1,665,500 1st Markus Lehmann €562,000 nd 2 Ludovic Lacay €295,200 3rd Christer Johansson €151,000
Field: 399 players; Prize pool: e399,000 1st Anton Wigg €55,502 2nd Maciej Swicarz €73,655 rd 3 Kristian M. Per Eriksson €65,565
Field: 243 players; Prize pool: e1,278,396 1st Casper Hansen €425,000 2nd Stefan Matsson €220,000 3rd Thiago Nishijima €112,300
Field: 432 players; Prize pool: e414,720 1st Matias Knaapinen €93,000 2nd Lennart Konst €56,200 3rd Sean Prendiville €37,150
2009
2011
Field: 172 players; Prize pool: e860,000 1st Mark Flowers €277,000 2nd Per Sjogren €143,000 3rd Dan Pedersen €84,000
Field: 455 players; Prize pool: e455,000 1st Andreas Hagen €100,100 2nd Kenneth Appell €60,520 3rd Daniel Marin €40,040
2010
Field: 326 players; Prize pool: e1,043,200 1st Ali Tekintamgac €278,000 2nd Roberto Garcia Santiago €139,000 3rd Mats Iremark €139,000
2011
Field: 216 players; Prize pool: e691,200 1st Lukas Berglund €231,500 nd 2 Romain Matteoli €118,000 3rd Frédéric Bussit Fuentes €64,000
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Tournament
Hotels
Restaurants
The 4-star hotel Barceló Atenea Mar is the perfect seaside retreat after a long day of poker: located on the seafront in the Sant Marti district of Barcelona, it has direct access to the beach at Nova Mar Bella. Its modern and elegant rooms and fantastic facilities — including a fitness center, a Jacuzzi and a massage service — will have you nicely rested and ready to hit the poker tables. Special rates for EMOP participants. Address: Paseo Garcia Faria 37-47 08019 Barcelona Tel: +34 93 531 6040 Email: ateneamar@barcelo.com
This inspired fusion of Asian cuisine and Spanish tapas is brought to you by chef Albert Raurich, exhead chef at the mythical El Bulli. Gorgeous Japanese burgers, sweet cherry tomato tempura, shrimp and foie gras shiu mai will make you want to come back for more. Also the wine selection is fantastic. Degustation menus €55 and €75. Lunchtime menu €20 Address: 9 C/ Elisabets 08001 Barcelona Web: http://www.dospalillos.com/ Tel: +34 93 304 05 13
Barceló Atenea Mar
Hotel Arts
When playing at the Casino de Barcelona, you won’t have to look very far to find the most prestigious hotel in town: the Hotel Arts is situated next door. The building itself is a treasure of contemporary architecture, with its forty-four stories of blue glass and exposed steel soaring high above the seafront. The 483 elegant apartments, suites and bedrooms all have fantastic bathrooms and offer state-of-the-art entertainment; some even boast a stunning fireplace. This is definitely the place to relax in perfect luxury. Special rates for EPT participants. Address: Marina 19-21 – 08005 Barcelona Web: http://www.hotelartsbarcelona.com Tel: +34 93 221 10 00
Hotel W
Conveniently located on the breakwater at the very end of Passeig Joan de Borbó, a stone’s throw from the casino, this brand-new 5-star hotel has the most stunning views of sea and city, and its 473 rooms are all equipped with a telescope. The décor strikes a perfect balance of modernity and simplicity for an exquisite stylish atmosphere. Rooms from €150. Address: 1 Plaça de la Rosa dels Vents 08039 Barceloneta Web: http://www.whotels.com/barcelona Tel: +34 93 295 28 00
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Dos Palillos
Enoteca
Di scover t he he ar t and soul of contemporar y Mediterranean cuisine at the hotel Arts’ Michelinstarred flagship restaurant: inspired by the food and produce of the region, this innovative cuisine brings out the best of Spanish products, with an emphasis on seafood. The cellar features more than 500 wines. Tasting menu €65 Addess: Hotel Arts Barcelona Marina 19-21 – 08005 Barcelona Web: http://www.hotelartsbarcelona.com/en/Dining/ Enoteca Tel: +34 93 483 81 08
Arola
The tapas restaurant of the Hotel Arts is also a pure gem. Disciple of French genius Pierre Gagnaire, chef Sergi Arola offers here a fine “menú degustación picapica” that is a selection of tapas mixing the best of Catalogna, France and the Far-East. Be prepared for a surprise-filled meal. Testing menu of tapas €50 Address: Hotel Arts Barcelona Marina 19-21 – 08005 Barcelona Web: http://www.hotelartsbarcelona.com/en/Dining/ Arola Tel: +34 93 483 80 90
Night life Opium Mar
Close to the hotel Arts, this trendy establishment is one of the hottest hang-outs in Barcelona for dancing and drinking, with the best international DJs rocking the largest seafront terrace in town. The club has a license until 6 a.m. Address: 25 Paseo MarĂtimo de la Barceloneta 08003 Barcelona Web: http://www.opiummar.com/ Tel: +34 90 226 74 86
Marmalade
One of Raval’s more sophisticated watering holes, Marmalade features an elegant but unpretentious ambiance that is sure to appeal to a diverse crowd. Original cocktails are served in a stunning contemporary dÊcor, and hitting the superb matte-black billiard table is a great way to socialize with the locals. Address: 4-6 Riera Alta 08001 Barcelona Web: http://www.marmaladebarcelona.com/ Tel: +34 93 442 39 66
Tournament
Casinos Austria Poker Tour Baden and European Poker Championship
The 23rd European Poker Championship highlights the biggest Austrian poker series
After the great success of the Casinos Austria Poker Tour since 2008, the series is back for a fifth season, offering six weeks of poker all over Austria and a three-day €2,000 grand finale in Baden from October 27-29. And there is more: from October 25 to November 3, the Casino Baden will also host the 23rd European Poker Championship. In addition to its €4,000 Texas Hold’em No Limit tournament, a 2012 European poker championship title in Omaha Pot Limit will also be played, with a €3,000 buy-in. With three opportunities to win big in Baden this fall, you have every reason to make a trip to Austria! By Myke Lunca
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For the 23rd edition of the European Poker Championship, as every year, the total prize pool is expected to reach over €5,000,000, so there is a lot of money up for grabs, and three great opportunities to win. But money is not the only motivation here. Austria in general and Baden in particular have a lot to offer.
The biggest casino in Europe
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Austria is very well known for poker in Europe. Having legal casinos since 1775 has instilled a culture of gambling that is still alive and thriving. Thanks to the success of the Casinos Austria Poker Tour, poker players are coming to Austria in hordes to play in the week of tournaments and cash games in Seefeld, Bregenz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Velden and Graz. And next October, they are all expected in Baden for a unique combination of tournaments. The 23rd European poker championship will begin on October 25 with a €500 two-day deepstack NHL event, followed by the €2,000 Main Event of the Casinos Austria Poker Tour, from October 27 to 29. On the 29th also starts a 3-day €3,000 Poker EM Omaha Pot Limit event; the winner of this brand new event will be crowned European champion, as well as the player who will dominate the €4,000 Texas Hold’em No Limit Freezeout event starting on October 31.
Two Hungarian champions in 2011
Last year, the CAPT Main Event was won by Hungarian Szabolcs Mayer, who went home with €81,435, besting a field of 157 players who had generated a prize pool of €298,300, and the happy European champion was another Hungarian, Zoltan Szabo, who won €150,425 against a field of 145 players for a total prize pool of €551,000. Who will succeed the Magyars?
For this exciting week of poker, the best Austrian and European players will sit at the tables of the Grand Casino Baden, located in the center of Austria, near Vienna. This Baden of Austria stands for fitness, culture and elegance, and its home of internationally renowned high-class spa and operetta theatre, perfectly combining entertainment and relaxation. With its magnificent surroundings near the vineyards, and its extravagant interior, the Grand Casino, opened in 1934 in the Kurhaus and moved to the Kongresshaus in 1968 is one of the biggest in Europe, and welcomes high profile personalities looking for entertainment in a wonderful setting, all year long. The casino might be a sumptuous venue, but the CAPT itself is a breath of fresh air when it comes to Poker Tournaments worldwide. Offering a highly trained staff that moves games along at a great pace while still remaining friendly, the tournament’s structure allows ample play time for everyone, and is so classy you will feel like you are in a James Bond movie. So if you want a taste of Austrian luxury and organization, and take your chances in three big events, pack your winter clothes — the Grand Casino Baden is waiting for you!
How to get there?
By air: You will first need to fly to Vienna, whose international airport, Flughafen Wien, is served by two national airlines, Austrian Airlines and Austrian Arrows, and has regular connections to all the major cities in Europe and elsewhere on most major international airlines. Baden is about 20km south of Vienna. From there, you have several options. By car: Just take highway A2/Südautobahn and leave the highway at the exit Baden. By train: “The Badner Bahn” leaves to Baden opposite the Vienna Opera. It takes about one hour to arrive in Baden center. Otherwise, there are trains departing from Vienna’s biggest train station Südbahnhof as well. These faster trains arrive in Baden in about 25 minutes. The disadvantage of this option is that you have to take a taxi or another bus from Baden train station to arrive in the center. By bus: There is a bus (direction Bad Vöslau) from the Opera house in Vienna to Baden as well. It takes about 40 minutes to arrive in the center of Baden.
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Hotels
Restaurants
The 4-star Hotel Weikersdorf Residenz & Spa is located in an impressive Renaissance palace in Baden, just a short ride from the Grand Casino. There, you’ll find quiet and gorgeous rooms and 1,000 square meters of fitness and spa facilities to get you in shape before — or after — a great day of poker: tennis courts and bowling alleys if you have energy to spare, swimming pools and scented baths if you just want to relax. Rooms from €99. Address: Schlossgasse 9-11 – 2500 Baden Tel. +43 22 52 483 010 weikersdorf@austria-hotels.at
The Grand Casino has some of the best restaurants in Baden, offering first-rate cuisine from DO & CO. All three of these establishments has a distinctive décor for a special atmosphere: Kuppelrestaurant is black and gold with a sumptuous cupola ceiling — and the smoking area is under the massive dome — Casinorestaurant is violet and red with a very modern touch, and Parkrestaurant is all white with fantastic views on the park of the Baden resort. Address: Haselstrasse 2 – 5400 Baden Tel. +43 2252 43 502 423 restaurant.baden@doco.com
Hotel Schloss Weikersdorf
Hotel Herzoghof
Directly across from the casino, with a view of the Kurpark and only a few steps from the historic town center lies the tradition-steeped Hotel Herzoghof. 4 stars, exquisite rooms and an in-house relaxation center make this establishment an excellent and very convenient place to stay for CAPT participants. Special rates for CAPT participants. Address: Kaiser-Franz-Ring 10 – 2500 Baden Tel. +43 22 52 872 970 Fax +43 22 52 206 646 office@hotel-herzoghof.at
DO & CO Restaurants
Schlosskeller
If you like the rustic atmospheres of the authentic Alpine style, then you’ll love the historic Schlosskeller, a beautifully curved cellar turned into a high-end restaurant serving traditional Austrian specialties as well as the best wines from the thermal region of Baden. Address: Hotel Schloss Weikersdorf Schlossgasse 9-11 – 2500 Baden Tel. +43 22 52 483 010 weikersdorf@austria-hotels.at
Hotel Admiral am Kurpark
Directly across from the Casino and the Kurpark, this luxurious 4-star establishment hotel is in the very heart of Baden. Tastefully furnished, climate-controlled rooms featuring the most modern facilities, will make your stay a genuine bliss. Relax and concentrate on poker! Special rates for CAPT participants. Address: Renngasse 8 – 2500 Baden Tel. +43 2252 867 99 0 Fax +43 2252 867 99 8 reservierung@hotel-admiral.at
Night life Lipizzaner Bar
The rustic ambience of the Lipizzaner Bar is the perfect setting to take a cocktail or enjoy a cup of tea. Its cozy, casual atmosphere makes it the ideal place to relax after a rough game, and try the Tia Maria, Alexander, or Side Car, some of their signature cocktails, or let the creativity of the bartender surprise you: tell him your astrological sign, your favorite color and he will create an exquisite custom-made drink specially for you. Open 18:00 – 01:00. Address: Hotel Schloss Weikersdorf Schlossgasse 9-11 – 2500 Baden Tel. +43 22 52 483 010 weikersdorf@austria-hotels.at
W3
This brand new cocktail bar is the new hot place in town. With its chic and modern décor, it’s the place to be and the best place in town to have drinks in a trendy atmosphere and mix with the young local crowds. 18:00-02:00 Address: Pergerstrasse 11 – 2500 Baden Tel: +43 681 81607874
CAPT Baden
List of Winners 2008
Poker EM
List of Winners 2008
Field: 117 players; Prize pool: e222,300 1st Johann Fest €62,230 2nd Stefan Heil €44,460 3rd Vlado Sevo €31,120
Field: 164 players; Prize pool: e623,200 1st Sandra Naujoks €174,500 2nd Alexander Kravchenko €124,640 3rd Stefan Rapp €87,250
2009
2009
Field: 157 players; Prize pool: e298,300 1st Wasi Akhund €81,430 2nd Dragan Galic €57,870 3rd Serguey Pomeranzev €40,570
Field: 189 players; Prize pool: e718,200 1st Martin Kabrhel €190,320 2nd Besim Hot €135,020 3rd Jan Bendik €94,800
2010
2010
Field: 126 players; Prize pool: e239,400 1st Harry Casagrande €67,030 2nd Daniel Studeer €47,880 3rd Robert Riedmann €33,515
Field: 155 players; Prize pool: e589,000 1st Mihai Manole €160,800 2nd Dragan Galic €114,265 3rd Markus Feurle €80,105
2011
2011
Field: 157 players; Prize pool: e298,300 1st Szabolcs Mayer €81,435 2nd Clemens Manzano €57,870 3rd Andreas Werner €40,570
Field: 145: players; Prize pool: e551,000 1st Zoltan Szabo €150,425 2nd Stefan Rapp €106,895 3rd Khiem Nguyen €74,935
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World Poker Tour Copenhagen
A new stop in Denmark for the mythical series The biggest poker series in the world will be growing again this year, with two new additions to its busy schedule: Mazagan in Morocco and Copenhagen in Denmark, these two lucky cities having been picked by the World Poker Tour to host fantastic new events. Copenhagen will follow Jacksonville and precede Mazagan, for a week of competition in Casino Copenhagen from November 12-17, with a 24,000 DKK + 2,250 DKK Main Event buy-in. Let’s see what the World Poker Tour has in store for this inaugural stop. By Mathilde Dunn
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It had stops in warm Mediterranean islands such as Cyprus, in great capital cities such as Paris, un Eastern European beauties like Prague, or legendary poker kingdoms like Atlantic City or Las Vegas, but the World Poker Tour never had an event in Northern Europe — until this year. As Nordics are crazy about poker, it was high time to create a major stop for them; which is why, for the first time ever, this great poker competition will be played in Copenhagen.
A tough and diverse field
From November 12-17, a whole week of poker will be played in Casino Copenhagen, the biggest international casino in Northern Europe, and there is no doubt it will attract crowds of players from all over Scandinavia, as well as neighboring Germany, the Netherlands, and beyond. We are expecting a very diverse field, but let us not forget that with the likes of Gus Hansen, Theo Jorgensen, Peter Eastgate, Lars Bonding, Philip Hilm, Allen Baekke, Jesper Houggaard, Mads Andersen, Jan Sorensen, the Danes have some of the best players in the world… So beware of Copenhagen, things are going to get rough. However, Denmark having great players is not the only reason the WPT decided to create a new event there. The European Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker have had
How to get there?
By air: Kastrup, 9km southeast of the city center, is Copenhagen’s airport and Scandinavia’s busiest hub, with f lights from over 100 cities across the world. There are direct flights to Copenhagen from Europe, Asia and North America, as well as a handful of Danish cities. By boat: Daily ferries connect Oslo and Copenhagen, and Bornholm and Copenhagen. By train: Copenhagen Central Station has direct connections to all the main cities in Europe, especially in neighboring countries such as Germany or Sweden. By car: Getting to Copenhagen by car is convenient due to the excellent roads and motorways, especially if you come from nearby Germany or Sweden. But be careful: expensive bridge tolls are levied at the Great Belt Bridge between Funen and Zealand and at the Øresund Bridge between Zealand and Sweden.
stops in Copenhagen for years, and it was just matter of time before the WPT did the same. To tell the truth, you don’t need an excuse to want to stop in this beautiful Nordic city.
Copenhagen, a great city for poker... but not only First of all, Copenhagen, like any other Scandinavian city, is well organized. You can be sure that the new event of the EPT will run smoothly there, despite it being the first time: just leave it to the Danes’ sense of perfectionism. Second of all, the capital city has the biggest international casino in Northern Europe, which has been running for 110 years; with such a long gambling tradition, the Danes really know their subject. Last but not least, November is a great time to enjoy winter wonderland in the beautiful, clean and walkable city of Copenhagen, which features some of the best restaurants in the world, some of the greatest designers’ hotels, and magical amusement park Tivoli’s gorgeous 19th century charm. So even if you don’t make it to the final table, there is no way you will get bored in Denmark!
The usual structure for the new event
The event will follow the usual WPT structure: on November 12, the 24,000 DKK + 2,250 DKK Main Event (roughly €3,500) will kick off and the final table will play on November 17, with quite a number of satellites and side events before and in between. To know all the details of this brand new event’s schedule, check updates on the official website of the World Poker Tour: http://www.worldpokertour.com/Shared/Tournaments/Seasons/Season_XI/WPT_Copenhagen.aspx So if you want to be the first ever to win the title of World Poker Tour champion in Copenhagen, pack your coats, hats and gloves as it is going to be freezing out there, and prepare your best game, because the Danes are sure to put up a ferocious fight. This is the kind of victory that won’t come easily, but the reward will definitely be worth it.
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Hotels
Restaurants
Ultra-modern, chic, and elegant, the most famous hotel in Copenhagen is perfectly situated if you want to get to the casino in a heartbeat, or if you’d rather discover the charms of the Nordic city. The spacious rooms feature the most ravishing pieces of Scandinavian design, both simple and elegant, and the facilities will introduce you to the cozy Danish lifestyle, in the most luxurious way. Special rates for WPT participants. Address: Hammerichsgade 1 – 1611 Copenhagen Tel: +45 33 426 000 copenhagen@radissonblu.com
Let’s be practical. When in Copenhagen, you have to try the best restaurant in the world! Noma has been praised internationally for its inventive yet very local cuisine, mixing the best of the culinary treasures of Scandinavia such as salmon, scallops and crab, but you’ll have to book far in advance. 20-course menu from 1,500 DKK. Address: Strandgade 93 – DK-1401 Copenhagen Tel: +45 3296 3297 booking@noma.dk
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel
Avenue Hotel
Situated within walking distance of the Copenhagen Casino, the effortlessly cool and friendly 5-star Avenue Hotel is situated in leafy Frederiksberg, Copenhagen’s answer to Notting Hill. This 19th-century townhouse has been a hotel since 1939, and has the feel of a very stylish private home. The 68 rooms are sumptuously decorated, and offer the best comfort in town. Single room from 1,100 DKK. Address: Åboulevard 29 – 1960 Copenhagen Tel. +45 3537 3111 info@avenuehotel.dk
CHP Living
A stone’s throw from the casino but another world unto itself, CHP Living is a floating hotel. This spacious boat has been decorated with refined Nordic taste, and features comfortable rooms with a gorgeous sundeck, and is located in the very heart of the city, which is the most beautiful part of town and the most convenient to get to Casino Copenhagen. Quiet, scenic, extraordinary. Double room from 1,000 DKK. Address: Langebrogade 1 – 1411 Copenhagen K Tel: +45 6160 8546 info@chpliving.com
Noma
The Dining Room
The highly acclaimed gourmet restaurant of the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel features a panoramic view of the city in a chic, modern atmosphere. From tenderloin beef with truffles to lamb with white beans, the menu is an offering of the best of European cuisine. Menu from 455 DKK. Address: Hammerichsgade 1 – 1611 Copenhagen Tel: +45 3396 5858 info@thediningroom.dk
Alberto K at the Royal
Consistently rated among the top restaurants in Denmark, Alberto K at the Royal boasts an impeccable menu and outstanding views of Copenhagen. The gourmet restaurant offers a light, modern menu based on seasonal Danish produce. Alberto K also features a sleek design inspired by renowned hotel architect Arne Jacobsen. 5-course menu from 675 DKK. Address: Hammerichsgade 1 – 1611 Copenhagen Tel: +45 3342 6161 alberto-k@radissonblu.com
Night life The Royal Bar
The Royal Bar is the place to meet before or after dinner. Savor a cup of coffee and the “cake of the day” before the game or have a drink from the huge selection on offer, including the AJ cocktail, named after hotel architect Arne Jacobsen. Opening hours: 11:00 - Midnight (Mon – Wed and Sun), 11:00 - 02:00 (Thu – Fri), 15:00 - 02:00 (Sat) Address: Hammerichsgade 1 – 1611 Copenhagen Tel: +45 3342 6052
Vega
Despite being one of the oldest clubs in town, Vega remains both a cutting-edge venue for the best DJs in Europe, and the preferred destination of global stars such as Prince, Jamie Cullum and Arctic Monkeys. Store Vega hosts the major live acts, while Lilla Vega is a great place to catch the up-and-comers of the music world and becomes the Vega Nightclub and Lounge on weekends. The Ideal Bar allows you to lounge in style with a cocktail, and plays easy listening grooves. Openin hours: Wed 7 PM-4 AM. Thurs-Sat 7PM-5 AM. Address: Enghavevej 40 – 1674 Copenhagen V Tel: +45 3325 7011 http://vega.dk/
The Union
A dark, secretive space hidden behind a black door, the Union offers soft 50s music tinkling in the background, impeccable drinks and a decor reminiscent of a glittering underground prohibition joint straight out of the Big Apple. Sophisticated and chic — and very trendy. Opening hours: Wed-Thurs 8 PM-2 AM. Fri 4PM-late. Sat 8PM-late. Address: Store Strandstræde 16 – 1255 Copenhagen Tel: +45 4119 6976 http://www.theunionbar.dk/
Tournament
Marrakech Poker Open XXVII
A heavenly atmosphere at Es-Saadi Gardens and Resort
From October 17-21, the Casino de Marrakech, located in the heart of the Moroccan “Red City,” will host the 27th edition of the Marrakech Poker Open — the perfect occasion to discover the treasures of Morocco and enjoy the luxury of the Es-Saadi Gardens and Resort, an 8-million-square-meter paradise.
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Some places can combine poker action and refinement, and when poker players get the chance to take part in an interesting series held in a very special oasis located on the other side of the Mediterranean Sea, they never forget it. The Es-Saadi Gardens and Resort, home of the Casino de Marrakech, is one of those rare paradises where, more than a game, poker becomes a complete experience. In the heart of the busy and cosmopolitan city, a few steps from the biggest souk and one of the busiest squares in Africa, the Djemaa el Fna Square, the complex faces the mountains of the Atlas. It features a sumptuous park, a hotel, a palace, villas, restaurants, swimming pools, spas, an outlandish casino, and the best nightclub in Morocco, the TheatrO. This is
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By Nick Hornburg the perfect place to live the dream of 1001 nights, a perfect combination of luxury and refinement with Moroccan traditional hospitality. The Casino, established in 1952, features 100 gaming machines and 24 tables in an astonishing atmosphere, and since 2009 it has hosted the World Poker Tour, in which local players do battle with international poker pros for a massive prize pool. Casino de Marrakech is also known as the home of the Marrakech Poker Open, the oldest and the most regular poker series of the continent, which thrice yearly attracts experimented players from Africa and Europe. French players always feel at home in Marrakech, as the last champion, Pierre Picherit, proved in May, 2012, when he won the 26th edition for €46,138.
How to get there? A brand new schedule for its 27th edition This 27th edition, running from October 17 to 21, benefits some improvements, and it will be bigger than its predecessors, with no less than 15 events. For starters, the €1,350 Main Event with a €180,000 guaranteed prize pool will run over three days, from October 19-21, and will allow for the first time ever the re-entry option. Four €135 Satellites to the Main Event will be held on October 18 and 19, including a 1 rebuy or addon tournament, offering the chance to grab a ticket for a tenth of the price. Six interesting side events will also feature in this Moroccan series, with a €500 2-Day Deepstack event on October 17 and 18, a €500 NLHE tournament on the 20th, and a €225 Short Handed event the day after. A new €135 bounty event will run on the 18th, and the €135 Mississippi tournament will be held on the two last days, as will the brand new €2,700 High Roller event and its re-entry option, which will surely see intense action at the tables on October 20 and 21. And, as usual, the cash games will run 24/7. Numerous packs are provided by
Marrakech-Menara Airport is served by airlines from all over Europe, such as Easyjet, Ryanair, Thomson Airways, Norwegian, Iberia and TAP Portugal, which provide direct flights from major cities such as London, Manchester, Madrid, Lyon, Lisbon, Frankfurt, Alicante, Girona, Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm. From outside Europe, you’ll have to change planes in Casablanca Airport. Royal Air Morocco flights from the country’s major cities. 24/7 taxi service from Menara Airport to the city center (15 minutes). For booking and information: Phone: +212 5 2433 8811 Website: www.essaadi.com/EN
Casino de Marrakech, ranging from €500 to €2,000. Check all the details on www.poker-marrakech.com/marrakechpoker-open/mpo-oct-2012. Wonderful settings and facilities, experiences players and perfect organization, this 27th Marrakech Poker Open is the perfect opportunity to combine lazy holidays and intense poker action.
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Tournament
European Poker Tour Prague
Christmas and poker magic in the Czech Republic
The European Poker Tour is heading back to festive Prague for the sixth time this winter with a seven-day €5,300 Main Event from December 9-15. The greatest European series will once again attract players from all over the continent and beyond; the huge money prize is expected to be bigger than last year, when the popular event attracted a massive 722 players and was won for a first prize of €720,000 by Martin Finger. Who will succeed the German champion? Come to Prague next Christmas and take your chances!
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By Julien Morello
This winter, right before Christmas, the European Poker Tour is back in Prague for the sixth time with a €5,300 Main Event where a champion will be crowned after five days of play. Crowds of players will come from all over Europe to take part to this amazing series and to enjoy the delights of this wonderful eastern European city during winter wonderland. You are guaranteed to have a snowy and beautiful stay in Prague, and hopefully a good run on the poker table.
The city of a thousand towers Divided in two parts by the Vltava River, Prague is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. Its thousandyear-old history, its numerous architectural sights and attractions make the political, cultural and economical center of the Czech Republic an open-air museum. Since 1990, it has become one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. There is a lot to do and see in the “city of thousand towers,” and you can explore its intimate city center by foot, walking across romantic bridges and through small medieval streets. The main tourist sights are the Old Town Hall and the Tyn Church, the two major buildings of Staromestske Namesti, the central square of the city, the Old Town Bridge Tower, the Charles Bridge, symbol of the Czech Republic, and of course the Prague Castle, a collection of opulent palaces, picturesque streets and impressive churches on top of a hill, from where you can enjoy a great view of the entire city.
creative commons : eleephotography / flickr
Tournament
Christmas markets and winter wonderland Contemporary cultural life is in itself an attraction in Prague, with many museums, operas, concert halls and galleries. The Czech National Museum, the Prague City Gallery, the Czech Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Decorative Arts are among the most visited institutions. For music lovers, the AghaRTA Jazz Centrum and the Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club are the place to be, but you can enjoy good music performances in the street by swinging jazz bands. 64 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
Christmas season is the perfect time to visit this stunning city with its famed Yuletide markets featuring gingerbread, hot wine stalls, and a great atmosphere. From late November, Christmas Markets occupy the squares of the city, selling arts, craft, Czech specialties and Prague souvenirs — the perfect places to shop for Christmas presents.
A record-breaking field in 2011 to best in 2012 From December 9-15, the European Poker Tour will bring
How to get there?
By air: There are direct flights from just about every European capital to Prague Ruzyne Airport, including many with budget airlines such as Easyjet. There are also some direct flights from North America to Prague. Prague airport is located 20km northwest of the city. A taxi ride to the city center takes 20-25 minutes and costs around 700 CZK (€27). By train: Prague is well connected to the European EC train network. It will take you 4 ½ hours from Berlin, 4 ¾ from Vienna, 5/6 hours from Munich/ Nuremberg. Direct night trains connect Prague with Cologne, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Zürich, Basel, Krakow, Moscow, Kiev, Saint Petersburg and Odessa. All international trains arrive at Praha hlavní nádraží, the central station, abbreviated to Praha hl.n.
action to the Hilton Prague Hotel, where a sixth champion will be crowned, one year after German Martin Finger’s success, when the young player — he’s only 21 — left Prague with the huge first prize of €720,000, besting a record-breaking field of 722. This year, the Main Event’s buy-in remains unchanged, €5,300, and we are expecting some great satellites and side events, such as the €3,200 Heads Up event, the €330 and €1,100 Pot Limit Omaha tournaments, the numerous NLHE events, with buy-ins ranking from €330 to €2,150, and the highly awaited twoday €10,300 High-Roller event, won in 2011 by American player John Andress for €176,400.
By car: Though Prague has highway connections from five major directions, driving to Prague is not the most convenient way to reach the city. Unfortunately, the highway network in the Czech Republic is quite incomplete and some highways are old and in poor condition. Thus, the highway connection from Prague to the border of the Czech Republic is available only in two directions: southeast and southwest.
A lot of participants have come to the Czech Republic since 2007, such as Liv Boeree, Luca Pagano, Marcel Luske, James Akenhead, Kevin MacPhee, Anton Wigg, Dominik Nitsche, Theo Jorgensen, Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier, Marcin Horecki, and Arnaud Mattern, who launched his poker pro carrier in Prague in 2007, overcoming 554 opponents for a €708.400 first prize. This year again, the first prize will be huge in the Czech capital!
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Hotels
Hilton Prague Hotel
Prague Marriott Hotel
restaurants
Night life
The CzecHouse Grill & Rotisserie is the Hilton Prague hotel’s flagship restaurant, renowned for its blend of contemporary European cuisine and traditional Czech specialties prepared in a modern way. Relax in a designer dining room featuring a show kitchen, watch professional chefs prepare signature dishes; with a great variety of local and international wines, you are guaranteed an exquisite dining experience. Full-course meal from €50. • Address: Pobrezni 1 Prague 186 00 Tel: +420 224 842 700 restaurants.prague@hilton.com
Cloud 9 sky bar & lounge is the Czech Republic’s premier sky bar. Located 40 meters above ground on the rooftop of the Hilton hotel, this cocktail bar offers stunning views of the city and the Vltava River. Sip on a Milky Way or Star Dust while soaking up spectacular Prague views through the glass walls or from the open terrace. Opening hours: 6 PM-2AM. • Address: Pobrezni 1 Prague 186 00 Tel: +420 224 842 999 info@cloud9.cz
Named best hotel in the Czech republic for four years running, the Hilton Prague Hotel is the most luxurious establishment in town. 791 exquisite rooms and suites, gym, swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and even indoor cycling and squash are all waiting for you in this gorgeous hotel that will host the EPT tournament — so you won’t have to rush to the poker tables, they’re right at home! Special rates for EPT participants. •A ddress: Pobrezni 1 Prague 186 00 Tel: +420 224 841 111 http://www.hiltonprague.com
CzecHouse Grill & Rotisserie
Piano Nobile
This restaurant is a genuine jewel worth trying even though it will be a little out of your way if you’re staying at the Hilton. Located on the top floor of Villa Richter, a classicist summerhouse dating from 1836, Piano Nobile is set amongst the extensive vines of one of Bohemia’s oldest vineyards. There, you’ll be able to enjoy gems of Austrian, Hungarian, Slovenian, Tyrolean, Croatian and Jewish cuisine, given a modern twist by the head chef, and the best wines of the region. Amazing. Fullcourse meal from €80. • Address: Staré zámecké schody 6/251 118 00, Praha 1 Pražský hrad Tel: +420 257 219 079 info@villarichter.cz
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A few steps from Old Town Square and the EPT venue at the Hilton, this upscale hotel evokes classic European charm and welcomes you with elegant accommodations: 293 guest rooms and 35 suites with a safe, 32-inch LCD TV and broadband Internet access. Rooms from €115. • Address: V Celnici 8 Prague 110 00 Tel: +420 222 888 888 http://www.marriott.com
Cloud 9 sky bar & lounge
Karlovy Lazne Club
Karlovy Lazne is the largest music club complex in Central Europe, and one of the coolest places in Prague to hang out. For party animals, this is the place to be! You’ll find five clubs on five levels, each floor with its own style, from disco to hardcore trance; enough variation to keep even the most passionate clubber entertained all night. Opening hours: 9PM-5AM daily. • Address: Novotneho Lavka 5 Old Town, Prague 1 Tel: +420 222 220 502 info@karlovylazne.cz
Christmas season is the perfect time to visit this stunning city with its famed Yuletide markets featuring gingerbread, hot wine stalls, and a great atmosphere
EPT Prague
List of Winners 2007
Field: 555 players; Prize pool: €2,530,240 1st Arnaud Mattern (France): €708,400 2nd: Gino Alacqua (Italy): €407,300 3rd: Kristian Kjondal (Norway): €235,300
2008
Field: 570 players; Prize pool: €2,764,500 1st Salvatore Bonavena (Italy): €774,000 2nd: Massimo Di-Cicco (Italy): €445,000 3rd: Andrew Chen (Canada): €257,000
High Roller 2010
Field: 26 players; Prize pool: €254,000 1st Nichlas Mattsson (Sweden): €127,000 2nd: John O’Shea (Ireland): €76,000 3rd: Alexander Luber (Germany): €51,800
2011
Field: 50 players; Prize pool: €490,000 1st John Andress (United States): €176,000 2nd: Mike McDonald (Canada): €112,700 3rd: Philipp Gruissem (Germany): €68,600
2009
Field86 players; Prize pool: €2,842,100 1st Jan Skampa (Czech Republic): €682,000 2nd: Eyal Avitan (Israel): €454,000 3rd: Stefan Matsson (Sweden): €255,000
2010
Field: 563 players; Prize pool: €2,730,550 1st Roberto Romanello (Wales): €640,000 2nd: Emiliano Bono (Italy): €435,000 3rd: Marcin Horecki (Poland): €247,000
2011
Field: 772 players; Prize pool: €3,501,700 1st Martin Finger (Germany): €720,000 2nd: Danyel Boyaciyan (Netherlands): €535,000 3rd: Nicolas Levi (France): €270,000
POKER 52 europa // september-october 2012 // ISSUE 7
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Tournament
World Poker Tour Malta
Season XI back to
the Mediterranean island Grab your bags! The beautiful Casino at Portomaso will once again host the greatest international poker competition for five days, from September 16-20. This fantastic event is the perfect opportunity to play the legendary tournament under the late summer sun of this gorgeous Mediterranean island, and maybe bring home a share of the massive prize pool generated by the €3,000 + €300 buy-in. So if you want to succeed last year’s winner Matt Giannetti who grabbed €200,000, come to Malta; here is what to expect. By Philippe Aronson 68 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
A
Added to the World Poker Tour European schedule last year along with Slovenia and the Czech Repub-lic, WPT Malta immediately became one of the mythical circuit’s most international stops. It will run once again this season for five days of intense competition, from September 1620. Strategically lo-cated in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Tunisia, and (conven-iently) being an English-speaking country, Malta welcomes international players in great conditions, and with poker still growing in popularity in the archipelago and Italy, its closest neighbor, no doubt this second edition of the WPT Malta is going to be packed!
Home of huge international events
The scenic Portomaso Casino in St. Julians is the hottest place in this small subtropical paradise. The elegant complex is an integral part of the unique marina located on the main island’s North-Eastern coast and is the biggest and most comfortable facility dedicated to gambling in the country. Now used to hosting big international events such as the GSOP (next edition in early September), the IPT and the Unibet Open, the Portomaso attracted 240 players last year for the first edition of its WPT stop, a €3,000 + €300 event, bringing together first-comers and some of the biggest stars in the poker world and generating a €698,400 prize pool.
A successful first edition
How to get there?
By air: Malta possesses its own national carrier, Air Malta, with regular connections to many European, North African and Middle Eastern centers. Ryanair f lies from London Luton, Edinburgh, Eindhoven, Dublin, Madrid, Marseille, Trapani, Bristol, Pisa, Kaunas, Krakow, Stockholm, Malmö, Sev ille, Valencia, Venice, Wroclaw, Girona, Birmingham and Bari. Easyjet flies from Belfast, Manchester, Newcastle, Rome, Milan Malpensa and London Gatwick. The island’s international Airport is located at Gudja. By ferry: There are frequent fast ferries to the Sicilian port of Catania (3 hours) and Pozzallo, Italy (90 minutes), but the seas can be turbulent. On large passenger ships, the ride takes twice as long. Other destinations include Livorno, Salerno, Rome, Palermo, Genoa and Tunis. However, discount airlines can be more convenient and the prices of their flights are often comparable to the cost of a boat trip.
American poker pros Tony G and Phil Hellmuth flew all the way to the small Mediterranean island to take their chances but were bested by a much tougher field than they had expected, as 2011 November Niner Matt Giannetti produced an exceptional performance throughout the final day. The American player emerged victorious after his heads-up against Italian Cecilia Pescaglini, who nearly became the first-ever woman champion in WPT history, and the two best players returned home with respectively €200,000 and €116,700.
5 days of tough battle
This year, the buy-in will remain €3,000 + €300, and several online and live satellites to this big tournament will run until September 16. The starting stacks are set to 30,000 coins, for 60 minutes rounds, and the usual WPT Re-entry option will allow players who have been busted during the Day 1A to enter once again on Day 1B. Two side events will also run during this Maltese series, with a 3-Day €1,000 + €100 event, and a 2-Day €500 + €50 tournament. With a crowd of amateurs giving a big buy-in tournament a try for the first time and plenty of online qualifiers in the field, WPT Malta is a great opportunity to achieve a breakthrough in a major international series. But beware of the card sharks, as factions of Italian, French, English, Swedish and American pros will be there too, making this event a thrilling poker experience!
POKER 52 europa // september-october 2012 // ISSUE 7
69
Tournament
hotels
restaurants
The Hilton Malta hotel is located in the prestigious Portomaso waterfront overlooking the harbor. This Malta hotel features five restaurants, three bars and four outdoor pools, two children’s pools and a heated indoor pool area. Just 15 minutes from UNESCO World Heritage Valletta, the Hilton Malta hotel is perfectly placed for poker players as it is a stone’s throw from the casino. Rooms from €125. • Address: Portomaso St Julians PTM 01 Tel: +356 2138 3383 http://www3.hilton.com
The restaurant of the Casino at Portomaso offers an ample variety of exquisite flavors from all over the Mediterranean region. Special attention is paid to fresh ingredients and fish, which make each and every visit a memorable one. • Address: Portomaso St Julians PTM 01 Tel: +356 2138 3383 http://www3.hilton.com
Hilton Malta
Le Meridien St Julian’s Hotel and Spa
Located in the fashionable and architecturally rich Balluta Bay, and nestled on the former gardens of a 19th century Villa, this 5-star hotel features 276 contemporary rooms including 23 Junior Suites and eight Executive Suites, and an amazing Mediterranean spa featuring an indoor pool, a hot tub, a cold dip, a sauna, and a steam room. Rooms from €87. • Address: Portomaso St Julians PTM 01 Tel: +356 2311 0000 infolmsj@lemeridien.com
Night life Level 22
One of the most exclusive and elegant clubs in town, with great views from Portomaso tower, Level 22 is a very stylish and exclusive wine lounge and club located on the 22nd floor of the Portomaso Business Tower in St. Julian’s, boasting fantastic panoramic views of Malta. Have a glass of good wine in comfort and style, enjoying the amazing panorama or choose to have a few drinks and dance the night away to house music during the weekends. • Address: Portomaso Business Tower Portomaso PTM 01 Tel: +356 2310 2222 info@twentytwo.com.mt
70 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
The Casino Brasserie
Le Meridien Cuisine
Detached from the main premises of Le Meridien St Julians Hotel & Spa, this fabulous 19th century villa is one of Malta’s best fine cuisine restaurants. It offers a number of dining options in a setting of modern indoor design with traditional outdoors. The Villa Brasserie proposes contemporary à la carte Mediterranean cuisine, with a wide range of dishes featuring Italian, Greek, Spanish, Moroccan, Lebanese, Provençal and Maltese ingredients, prepared and presented with a distinctive French flair. • Address: 39 Main Street Balluta Bay St Julians STJ 1017 Tel: +356 2311 2273 http://www.lemeridienmalta.com
St. Julians is the hottest place in this small subtropical paradise. The elegant complex is an integral part of the unique marina located on the main island’s
WPT Malta
List of Winners 2011
Field: 240 players; Prize pool: €698,400 1st: Matt Giannetti (United States): €200,000 2nd: Cecilia Pescaglini (Italy): €116,700 3rd: Filippo Bianchini (Italy): €76,820
POKER 52 europa // september-october 2012 // ISSUE 7
71
RANKING
2012 European Poker Money Lists
From 1st Jan 2012 to 15th aug 2012
Everybody knew it and now it is a reality: the Big One for One Drop has shuffled the ranking upside down, and the runner-up Sam Trickett is now in a great position, unreachable, with more than $10,000,000 added to his bankroll this summer... Of course, there will be other big high-roller in the upcoming months, like a $250,000 (HK$ 2,000,000) in Macau, with re-buys, this fall, but no one seems able to reach Trickett. Antonius, second this year, has «only» near $2,000,000 and he plays very few tournaments... The German player Marvin Rettenmaier is fourth, thanks to his back-to-back WPT titles, in Vegas and Cyprus.
Sam Trickett
Ranking
Gus Hansen
Patrik Antonius
Player
Winnings (USD)
Ranking
Player
Winnings (USD)
10,167,001
16
Paul Guichard
744,209
Patrik Antonius
1,945,242
17
Bernard Guigon
728,368
3
Gus Hansen
1,823,579
18
Jan Peter Jachtmann
727,633
4
Marvin Rettenmaier
1,656,078
19
Frederik Brink Jensen
726,258
5
Igor Kurganov
1,576,402
20
Aubin Cazals
700,312
6
Tobias Reinkemeier
1,465,148
21
Mikhail Smirnov
688,483
7
Viktor Blom
1,456,683
22
Dominik Nitsche
676,916
8
Lucille Cailly
1,401,352
23
Tomas Junek
661,022
9
Bertrand Grospellier
1,378,321
24
Rocco Palumbo
650,456
10
Vadim Kursevich
1,357,964
25
Gaëlle Baumann
623,227
11
Leonid Bilokur
1,268,579
26
Kevin Vandersmissen
611,578
12
Davidi Kitai
1,054,006
27
Elisabeth Hille
13
Jannick Wrang
888,446
28
Sergio Castelluccio
578,181
14
Phillippe Ktorza
878,303
29
Stephen Chidwick
575,551
15
Andras Koroknai
754,798
30
Vladimir Mefodichev
533,138
1
Sam Trickett
2
72 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
590,442
Ranking
Player
Winnings (USD)
Ranking
Player
Winnings (USD)
31
Wilfried Harig
528,086
66
Artem Litvinov
331,135
32
Oleksii Kovalchuk
523,980
67
Ognjen Sekularac
327,705
33
Michael Gathy
517,158
68
Ercin Corc
326,354
34
Bruno Lopes
501,826
69
Stefan Huber
325,745
35
Philipp Gruissem
500,208
70
Christopher Brammer
324,875
36
Mickey Petersen
495,760
71
Balazs Botond
317,987
37
Craig McCorkell
483,266
72
Nicky Evans
316,978
38
Jeremy Quehen
44,926
73
Niels van Alphen
305,864
39
Fabrice Soulier
443,711
74
John Paul Kelly
303,393
40
Jan Heitmann
441,209
75
Martin Kabrhel
296,542
41
Mohamad Kowssarie
435,861
76
Thomas Beer
296,419
42
Andrei Stoenescu
432,912
77
Nicco Maag
295,892
43
Morten Lihn Christensen
431,390
78
Talal Shakerchi
294,417
44
Vuong Than Trong
431,369
79
Cesar Garcia
289,233
45
Ruben Visser
428,374
80
Dave Shallow
289,032
46
Neil Channing
416,101
81
Andrea Dato
287,264
47
Luke Schwartz
406,736
82
Tom Alner
284,866
48
Tom Middleton
405,781
83
Samuel Gerber
275,224
49
Kristijonas Andrulis
404,408
84
Gordon Robert Huntly
274,872
50
Juha Helppi
399,284
85
Chris Moorman
273,141
51
Pierre Neuville
384,591
86
Toby Lewis
271,223
52
Fraser MacIntyre
380,438
87
Jonas Lauck
269,663
53
Andre Morath
379,125
88
George Danzer
266,784
54
Artem Metalidi
376,979
89
Andreas Eiler
265,545
55
Yorane Kerignard
372,564
90
Adria Maria Balaguer
265,524
56
Govert Metaal
372,106
91
Konstantin Tolokno
265,217
57
Dominykas Karmazinas
369,928
92
Bruno Jais
263,030
58
Eric Sfez
369,396
93
Erik Hellman
259,220
59
Fernando Fontoura Brito
355,683
94
Vojtech Ruzicka
251,259
60
Vyacheslav Zhukov
345,993
95
Alessandro Longobardi
249,411
61
Rinat Bogdanov
343,802
96
Ercan Olgun
246,319
62
Paul Vas Nunes
342,643
97
Max Lehmanski
244,904
63
Robert Baguley
335,527
98
Tristan Clemencon
243,893
64
Mario Puccini
334,883
99
Konstantin Puchkov
241,372
65
Vincent Van Der Fluit
332,929
100
Matthias De Meulder
241,075
POKER 52 europa // september-october 2012 // ISSUE 7
73
RANKING
All time money list - Europe
With his big runner-up performance at the Big One for One Drop, Sam Trickett jumps directly to the top of the All Time Money List Europe, totalling more than $16,000,000! Two Danes are behind him: Gus Hansen and Peter Eastgate. ElKY has also reached the $10,000,000 figure and is in fifth positions, after some bad run at the WSOP —and especially in the big buy-in tournaments. The WSOPE, as well as the new WPT and EPT seasons in Europe should change this ranking in the upcoming weeks...
Sam Trickett
Ranking
Country
Gus Hansen
Player
Winnings (USD)
Peter Eastgate
Ranking
Country
Player
Winnings (USD)
1
Sam Trickett
16,471,099
16
Surinder Sunar
4,588,737
2
Gus Hansen
11,210,073
17
Juha Helppi
4,438,330
3
Peter Eastgate
11,127,554
18
Andy Black
4,423,333
4
Carlos Mortensen
10,811,436
19
Yevgeniy Timoshenko
4,406,257
5
Bertrand Grospellier
10,024,924
20
Vitaly Lunkin
4,263,374
6
Pius Heinz
8,893,098
21
Fabrice Soulier
4,033,513
7
Eugene Katchalov
7,189,215
22
Marcel Luske
4,006,735
8
Ivan Demidov
6,773,227
23
Antoine Saout
3,964,673
9
David Benyamine
6,247,203
24
Marty Smyth
3,876,139
10
Dave Ulliott
6,011,126
25
Alexander Kravchenko
3,864,463
11
Martin Staszko
5,589,365
26
Annette Obrestad
3,773,511
12
Roland de Wolfe
5,330,556
27
Tobias Reinkemeier
3,730,575
13
Patrik Antonius
5,328,713
28
Ram Vaswani
3,477,251
14
Chris Bjorin
5,292,481
29
Filippo Candio
3,463,266
15
Jeff Lisandro
4,974,548
30
Sebastian Ruthenberg
74 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
Available at www.poker52europa.fr
3,457,185
top ten
all time money list Italy
Ranking
Player
Winnings (USD)
England Ranking
Player
Winnings (USD)
1
Jeff Lisandro
4,974,548
1
Sam Trickett
16,471,099
2
Filippo Candio
3,463,266
2
Dave Ulliott
6,011,126
3
Max Pescatori
3,230,265
3
Roland de Wolfe
5,330,556
4
David Steicke
2,759,693
4
Surinder Sunar
4,588,737
5
Salvatore Bonavena
2,321,618
5
Ram Vaswani
3,477,251
6
Luca Pagano
2,055,370
6
Neil Channing
3,325,605
7
Alessio Isaia
2,010,399
7
Tony Bloom
3,308,051
8
Dario Minieri
1,861,016
8
John Gale
3,301,782
9
Dario Alioto
1,439,415
9
Jake Cody
3,146,605
10
Sergio Castelluccio
1,220,745
10
James Akenhead
3,106,616
Spain
Ranking
Player
1
Carlos Mortensen
2
Winnings (USD)
Germany Ranking
Player
Winnings (USD)
10,811,436
1
Pius Heinz
8,893,098
Raul Paez Corral
1,591,159
2
Tobias Reinkemeier
3,730,575
3
Juan Maceiras Lapido Jr.
1,082,049
3
Sebastian Ruthenberg
3,457,185
4
Raul Mestre
916,089
4
Benjamin Spindler
3,134,924
5
Dragan Kostic
827,975
5
Marvin Rettenmaier
3,026,541
6
JesĂşs Cortes
826,264
6
Moritz Kranich
2,932,396
7
Leonor Margets-Perez
736,716
7
Andreas Krause
2,286,485
8
Juan Manuel Pastor
691,276
8
Philipp Gruissem
2,127,048
9
Adria Maria Balaguer
680,222
9
Florian Langmann
2,018,653
10
Santiago Terrazas
651,405
10
Dominik Nitsche
1,941,588
POKER 52 europa // september-october 2012 // ISSUE 7
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RANKING Russia Ranking
Player
Winnings (USD)
Denmark Ranking
Player
Winnings (USD)
1
Ivan Demidov
6,773,227
1
Gus Hansen
11,210,073
2
Vitaly Lunkin
4,263,374
2
Peter Eastgate
11,127,554
3
Alexander Kravchenko
3,864,463
3
Theo Jørgensen
2,867,165
4
Alexander Kostritsyn
2,915,269
4
Rehne Pedersen
2,299,640
5
Max Lykov
2,803,200
5
Frederik Brink Jensen
2,171,315
6
Kirill Gerasimov
2,563,108
6
Jan Sorensen
2,162,419
7
Igor Kurganov
2,467,180
7
Søren Kongsgaard Nielsen
1,988,594
8
Andrey Pateychuk
2,188,926
8
Lars Bonding
1,836,215
9
Konstantin Puchkov
1,666,598
9
Sander Lyloff
1,712,552
10
Leonid Bilokur
1,639,188
10
Rasmus Nielsen
1,418,747
Sweden Ranking
Player
Winnings (USD)
Norway Ranking
Player
Winnings (USD)
1
Chris Bjorin
5,292,481
1
Annette Obrestad
3,773,511
2
Martin De Knijff
3,419,490
2
Jan Olav Sjavik
1,839,863
3
William Thorson
3,372,326
3
Andreas Hoivold
1,654,064
4
Johan Storakers
2,996,321
4
Trond Eidsvig
1,623,879
5
Martin Jacobson
2,845,573
5
Dag Martin Mikkelsen
1,499,148
6
Michael Tureniec
2,778,777
6
Andreas Walnum
1,197,518
7
Erik Marcus Friberg
2,754,389
9
Johnny Lodden
1,125,214
8
Christer Johansson
2,161,275
7
Bjorn-Erik Glenne
1,092,588
9
Mikael Thuritz
1,707,983
8
Kristian Kjondal
1,057,150
10
Kent Lundmark
1,653,828
10
Marcel Bjerkmann
977,333
Irland Ranking
Player
Winnings (USD)
France Ranking
Player
Winnings (USD)
1
Andy Black
4,423,333
1
Bertrand Grospellier
2
Marty Smyth
3,876,139
2
David Benyamine
6,247,203
3
Eoghan O'Dea
2,522,625
3
Fabrice Soulier
4,033,513
4
Padraig Parkinson
1,648,429
4
Antoine Saout
3,964,673
5
Fintan Gavin
1,397,235
5
Roger Hairabedian
3,443,705
6
John Magill
1,209,798
6
Bruno Fitoussi
2,604,753
7
Dermot Blain
1,206,755
7
Jean-Paul Pasqualini
2,580,834
8
Donnacha O'Dea
1,201,017
8
Antony Lellouche
2,551,175
9
Noel Furlong
1,145,807
9
Alain Roy
2,381,666
10
Liam Flood
1,142,446
10
Arnaud Mattern
2,151,928
76 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
10,024,924
You are the Tournament Director Series 5
C H R O N I cl E hen d on m ob
Show and Take, Last Live Hand or Split Pot?
It amazes me how many places treat this situation differently and also how many different dealers act in this situation and I would welcome the TDs opinions on what they feel the dealers should/shouldn’t do in this situation: In an NLH tournament on the river Player A makes a bet and Player B calls the bet. Dealer says “Show and Take.” Player A throws his/her hand directly into the muck. Player B pushes their cards over the line face down. (I know the cards are still live unless the dealer has pulled them into the muck but I am interested to see what your panel of TDs feel the responsibility of the dealer is in this situation, having already said “Show and Take” and the cards have been pushed over the line face down. Also I am interested to see whether your TDs feel the last “active” hand still wins the pot regardless, or whether the cards should be mucked by the dealer and the pot split... I have had both situations happen many times and it’s one of the annoying situations where consistency would be nice... sadly, this doesn’t happen!)
Jack Effel
The dealer should ask player B to show his/her hand in order to receive the pot. Some major tournaments do not require the “calling” player to show the winning hand, if the original bettor has folded. There are also times when all hands are mucked, and the only decision left is to award the pot to the person who has the last live hand. I’m one of the few who does not believe that a player should only be required to show their hand if someone asks. At the WSOP, if a hand is played to showdown, then the winning hand must be “shown.” When there are millions of dollars at stake, it should not be easy for players to dump chips. If left up to suspicion, the best cheaters will fool you 9/10 times. I take the guess work out of it, and force the winning hand to show every time. Players who violate this rule at the WSOP will receive a warning/penalty.
78 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
Thomas Kremser
In this situation obviously both players don’t want to show their hands. The fact is that Player A mucked his hand (dead hand) and Player B is the only player with cards and therefore he wins the pot.
David Lamb
The last live/active hand gets the pot. B would be awarded the chips; there is no reason to consider splitting this pot.
David Luzago
Dealer should advise player B to show his cards even if he pushed them over the line face down, so he can show them and get the pot.
We absolutely agree that there is problem with consistency in this area. Not only do different events rule differently but different dealers at the same event often seem to take varying approaches Matt Savage
I agree 100% that there needs to be a rule, and we have instituted a new TDA that the last live hand wins the pot. See www. PokerTDA.com for the new 2011 rules.
Thomas Lamatsch
Before I make a decision, I have to explain another ruling from my side, because I know TD is making a different ruling here: if at the showdown player A mucks his hand, player B is also allowed to muck his hand, too! This because of fairness to the game! Why should one player have to show and not the other? If a third player is afraid of collusion, he can call the TD to check the hands of the players. So, the situation in this case is very clear: player B has the last active hand and receives the pot!.
JP McCann (player)
A has relinquished his claim to the pot, so Player B wins the pot because he has the last live hand. Player B doesn’t have to show his cards. Poker is a game of information. I think it is unfair for Player A to get information about Player B’s cards when Player B is the person who has paid to see A’s hand.
FIDPA (The International Poker Rules) Ruling (Marcel Luske)
In order to win any pot you must have a hand and showdown when there is a showdown situation! We do understand the player still in the hand might feel like there is nothing to beat and react by not showing automatically. However, it is the duty and obligation of the captain on the table (the dealer) to keep the players playing by the rules at all times. This is why written rules need to be in place, so consistency can be guaranteed and players can know up front what to expect in case of a ruling! If any question arises and there is no official rule, then the highest authority in the room should make a decision based on fairness to all players and add the correct rule as soon as possible! Naturally, (House) Rules dictate the outcome, and management decisions should be final. Other players on the table are of course entitled to see the winning hand in any showdown situation !
David Flusfeder (IFP - International federation of Poker)
Player A has conceded the pot; it goes to Player B. From the wording of the question, Player B pushing his/her hand over the line has happened after Player A has mucked his/her cards. Player B’s is therefore, as the questioner says, the last active hand and wins the pot. I don’t see how or why this could be ruled a split pot.
The Mob Verdict We absolutely agree that there is problem with consistency in this area. Not only do different events rule differently but different dealers at the same event often seem to take varying approaches. The reason always cited for winning hands needing to be shown is to prevent chip dumping, but we feel that if not a complete red herring, this problem seems to be somewhat overstated. None of us can ever remember seeing a case of chip dumping being uncovered by enforcing a showdown, and while you may say this just proves that the rule works, it’s easy to see how it could be got round most of the time by the dumpee raising the dumper off the pot. We feel that if someone has genuine cause for concern they should be able to ask for the action to be stopped, to explain their concerns to the TD and to ask for mucked hands to be shown – showdown or not. Our TDs are all in agreement about awarding the pot to the last active hand. There really is no room for ambiguity here and no reason to award half the pot to the player who – on being called – opted to muck their hand. However some cases may not be so clear (for example, if the dealer misses the fact that another player still has cards) and we think there is therefore a case for always showing cards in order to claim the pot. After all, you normally have to do this even when playing the board. As we have said, there is no reason not to be consistent in this area. This allows not only to avoid errors and injustices but also to speed the game up and reduce the possibility of angle shooting. In summary, we would say that on showdown, players should act in turn from the last aggressive action; on their turn each player should fold or show... quickly. If a player mis-declares their hand without showing it, or pretends to muck in order to get another player to show first, or muck a winning hand, this should be subject to a penalty. Anyone wishing to claim any part of the pot should show their hand. However, if as in this case the calling playing is the last one with cards and mucks in turn, they should still get the pot. Repeated refusal to show cards (or muck/show in good time when it’s a player’s turn to declare) should be subject to warnings and possible penalties.
POKER 52 europa // september-october 2012 // ISSUE 7
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tournament schedule september
24 Sep - 2 Oct
Partouche Poker Tour - Grand Final,
2012, Kiev
2 - 9 Sep Cannes
5 - 10 Sep
UK & Ireland Poker Tour - Newcastle, Newcastle
5 - 20 Sep
WPT Rendez-Vous à Paris 2012, Paris 5 - 23 Sep
WPT Borgata Poker Open, Atlantic City
6 - 9 Sep
German Poker Tour - Warnemunde,
Rostock
7 - 9 Sep
2012 Barriere Poker Tour - Lille, Lille 7 - 16 Sep
Macau Poker Cup Championship, Taipa 8 Sep
Fox Poker Club - September Main
Event, London 10 - 21 Sep
English Poker Open 2012, London 12 - 16 Sep
[LCIPT] LCI 2012 UK Poker Tour London, London 12 - 16 Sep
WPPT Seoul, Seoul 13 - 16 Sep
European Masters of Poker IV Barcelona, Barcelona
Ukrainian-Russian Tour - Autumn
13 - 14 Oct
APAT - Scottish Amateur Poker Championship, Glasgow
26 - 30 Sep
Winamax European Short-Handed Poker Championship, Dublin
14 - 21 Oct
2012 Grosvenor UK Poker Tour - Leg 11,
26 - 30 Sep
Luton
Panama City
2012 World Poker Finals, Mashantucket
Latin American Poker Tour V - Panama,
15 Oct - 2 Nov
27 - 30 Sep
17 - 21 Oct
Namur Deepstack XVI, Namur 27 - 30 Sep
ALPS Poker Tour - Baden, Baden 28 - 30 Sep
Mega Poker Series Croatia, Opatjia 18 - 21 Oct
WPT Cruise, Cruise
Simmering
ALPS Poker Tour - Wein, Vienna 19 - 21 Oct
october
Marrakech Poker Open, Marrakech 17 - 21 Oct
2012 Celtic Poker Tour, Carlow 30 Sep - 7 Oct
Uruguay Poker Tour - Piriapolis,
1 - 7 Oct
Eureka Latvia, Riga 3 - 7 Oct
[LCIPT] LCI 2012 UK Poker Tour -
Maldonado 19 Oct - 10 Nov
Boylepoker.com International Poker
Manchester, Manchester
Open 2012, Dublin
German Poker Tour - Hamburg,
WPT Johannesburg, Johannesburg
3 - 7 Oct Hamburg
3 - 11 Oct
4 - 7 Oct
22 - 26 Oct 22 - 28 Oct
EPT San Remo, Sanremo
2012 UK Omaha Series, London 22 - 31 Oct
The Irish Tour 2012 - Leg 4: The
Russian Poker Tour - Golden Autumn
13 - 16 Sep
4 - 7 Oct
25 - 28 Oct
14 - 16 Sep
Malta, Unknown
13 - 16 Sep
Northern Open, Dundalk
Kiev, Kiev
Namur Deepstack XV, Namur
2012 Chilipoker Deepstack Open -
Namur Deepstack XVIII, Namur
Open de France, Annecy
4 - 7 Oct
WPT Malta, Portomaso
Northern Open, Dundalk
UniBet Open London
16 - 20 Sep
The Irish Tour 2012 - Leg 4: The
16 - 23 Sep
9 - 24 Oct
London
Simmering
2012 Grosvenor UK Poker Tour - Leg 10,
The Concord Million, Vienna
19 - 25 Sep
11 - 14 Oct
20 Sep - 4 Oct
12 - 27 Oct
25 - 28 Oct
CNP - Torrelodones, Madrid 25 - 29 Oct WPT National Series - Barcelona, Barcelona 25 Oct - 3 Nov
2012 CAPT European Poker
APT - Asian Series Manila, Manila
Namur Deepstack XVII, Namur
2012 World Series of Poker - Europe,
Festa Al Lago, Las Vegas
24 - 26 Sep
FPS Sunset Mazagan – Morocco
Taipa
2012 Catalunya Poker Tour, Barcelona
Hey Series Of Poker, Prague
Cannes
12 - 15 Oct
The September Festival Main Event,
13 Oct
London
80 ISSUE 7 // september-october 2012 // POKER 52 europa
Championship/Poker EM, Baden 26 Oct - 11 Nov
Asia Championship of Poker (ACOP), 31 Oct - 3 Nov
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