Poker52 Europa n10 - March/April 2013

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editorial Dear Readers, Poker has never been so big in Europe, and every important tournament seems to corroborate this fact. In late January, the Parisian Riviera town of Deauville welcomed an incredible field for EPT Deauville, gathering the cream of the European poker scene crop for a great festival with numerous side-events and loads of fun and action. Even if a young French amateur won the competition, lots of European pros were on hand in the casino or the adjacent hotels, playing all the events possible or trying to hone their skills at Open Face Chinese poker in the hotel lobby!

In late January, the Parisian Riviera town of Deauville welcomed an incredible field for EPT Deauville, gathering the cream of the European poker scene crop for a great festival with numerous side-events and loads of fun and action.

A new generation of players from Eastern countries seems to be coming into its own on the European poker scene.

Recent tournaments all over Europe, and especially in Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus, Slovenia or Croatia have underscored the excellent quality of such players who will undoubtedly play an important part in poker’s future.

In the upcoming months, European tournaments will flourish almost everywhere: the Montenegro Open in Budva, CAPT stops in Salzburg and Bregenz, European Poker Tour legs in Berlin as well as its Grand Final in Monte-Carlo, World Poker Tour Venice and Barcelona, a Deepstack in Tangier (Morocco) as well as WPT National & ACFPoker Tour stops in Cannes or Annecy (France). Lots to look forward to, ahead of this summer’s dreamevent: the World Series Of Poker in Las Vegas!

Bruno Benveniste

march – April 2013

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we are poker

contents 12 news

upcoming tournaments

18 GPI European Poker Awards List of Winners

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24 Aria Resort & Casino Poker Mecca’s, new gem 160 chronicles 20 doyle brunson 22 You are the Tournament Director Series 5 28 k ara scott 30 ross botman 80 You are the Tournament Director Series 5 08 rankings 74 hendon mob 78 gpi 82 tournament schedule

34 Montenegro Open 38 CAPT Salzburg & Bregenz 42 EPT Berlin 48 WPT Venice 52 EPT Monte-Carlo 58 WPT Barcelona 62 WPT National & ACFPoker Tour Annecy 66 Tangier Deepstack Open 70 WPT National, ACFPoker Tour & Deepstack Open Cannes

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: Aria Casino Inside pictures: Jules Pochy, Neil Stoddart, XDR Re-writing and translation: Alexander JE Bradley Advertisement: Martin Garagnon +33 (0)1 53 89 14 04 - martin@poker52europa.com Founder: Bruno Fitoussi Artistic Director: Frédéric Hallier Layout: Jennifer Bouvard Print: Imprimerie du Canal

news

I NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship I

Mike Matusow comes back to win title and $750,000

M

ike “The Mouth” Matusow overcame a superstar field of 64 in Las Vegas to walk away with $750,000 after beating Phil Hellmuth in the last game.

64 top players gathered at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for three days of competition in the $25,000 NBC National Heads-Up invitational tournament. Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, Mike Matusow, Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Galfond, Viktor Blom, Barry Greenstein, Jonathan Duhamel and Phil Hellmuth were among the 16 players to enter Day 2, and after two other rounds, only two were able to make their way to the final. The first was Mike Matusow, who defeated Michael Mizrachi, Viktor Blom, Barry Greenstein, John Hennigan and Scott Seiver. The second was Phil Hellmuth, who overcame Mike Sexton, Justin Smith, David Sands, Eugene Katchalov, and Joseph Serock.

Matusow won the first of the final three rounds, while Hellmuth dominated the second, but the “Poker Brat” couldn’t withstand Matusow’s good run. On the last hand, Hellmuth went all-in with Ks-Th, called by Matusow with

8d4d on the board: Kd-Js-2d-6s. The river showed Qd, giving a flush, the title, and $750,000 to Matusow, while Hellmuth walked away with $330,000 for his runner-up finish. “I’m on top of the world right now. There is nothing that feels better than winning a tournament. Nothing,” said Matusow after his great victory.

i World Poker Tour Borgata Winter Poker OpeN I

Andy Hwang dominates a record edition in Atlantic City T

he World Poker Tour stopped in Borgata Casino in late January, for a $3,500 re-entry Main Event, attracting crowds of players and breaking attendance records, as 1,042 buy-ins were collected, generating a total prize pool of $3,438,600.

As some of the best players in the world were taking their chances down under in the great Aussie Millions series, the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City was closing its traditional winter festival, the Winter Poker Open, with a memorable event — rightfully considered one of the American poker scene’s most important competitions.

397 players entered Day 1A, joined the following day by 645 more participants on Day 1B, including re-entries, for a total 1,042 contestants — 25 more than the previous record, set in 2009. 100 of them could hope get to the money and grab a share of the $3,438,600 prize pool, of which $730,053 was guaranteed the champion.

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After five days of competition, chip leader Andy Hwang entered the final table against Matt Haugen, James Anderson, Jeremy Druckman, Mike Gogliormella and Matt Salsberg, WPT Grand Prix de Paris champion in September 2012, who was hoping for a second win on the international circuit. But he was the first finalist to leave the table, followed by Druckman, Haugen and Gogliormella. Anderson started the heads-up with a short advantage, but Hwang managed to take the lead and win a few hands later, thanks to a pair of 6. Andy Hwang left Atlantic City with the WPT title and the $730,053 first prize, while James Anderson’s second place finish netted him $438,698. march – april 2013

news

I Aussie Millions 2013 I Mervin Chan and Igor Kurganov: Two champions in Australia

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he world’s best poker players traveled to the Southern Hemisphere to attend the Aussie Millions series in the Crown Casino in Melbourne from January 17 to February 3, and play one of the live international circuit’s biggest tournaments. The AU$10,600 Main Event attracted 629 contestants, generating a $6,290,000 prize pool, and Brian Payne finished Day 1A as chip leader, while Francis Rusnak led survivors of Day 1B and Finnish star Patrik Antonus was ahead at the end of Day 1C. 312 players returned to the tables on Day 2. Brian Payne, Joe Hachem and Annette Obrestad were ousted that day, while Antonius and Phil Ivey made it to Day 3, along with 66 other players. Ivey burst the bubble by busting Gary Benson in 65th position, and managed to qualify for Day 4, but did not reach the final table, finishing 30th for AU$35,000. Daniel Shak, chip leader by the end of the day, joined the final table along with Antonius, Malaysian player Mervin Chan, Aussies Jay Tan, Jerrod Glennon and Joseph Cabret, and Kiwi David Yan. Antonius kicked out Tan (7th) with a pair of Kings, and Chan did the same to Yan (6th). Six hours later, Cabret eliminated Jerrod Glennon, and the players went to rest for the night after Daniel Shak left the game in fourth position. Antonius finished 3rd, and leading Chan quickly won the heads-up against Cabret, thus winning the most prestigious title in the Southern Hemisphere, and the AU$1,600,000 first prize.

The second great champion of these Aussie Millions is Russian pro Igor Kurganov, who managed to enter the top places in all of the three High Roller tournaments. He first finished runner-up of the AU$100,000 Challenge for AU$610,000, behind American pro Andrew Robl (AU$1,000,000). Then, he reached the 4th position in the AU$250,000 event, for AU$500,000 more, while Sam Trickett, Tobias Reinkemeier and Fabian Quoss were fighting for the lion’s share, with the former finally pocketing AU$2,000,000. After that, the Russian prodigy took first in the AU$25,000 Challenge, besting Erik Seidel and Philipp Gruissem for AU$275,000, thus winning a total of AU$1,385,000 for this Australian session only!

I ONLINE & LIVE EVENT I The new ISPT schedule unveiled

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he International Stadium Poker Tour has just announced the official schedule of its first edition, hosted by the mythical Wembley stadium in London, from June 1-5. The Main Event went through big changes, with a more affordable buy-in, lowered to €300; what’s more, from early February, players are able to enter Day 1 from home, on PC and Mac computers.

Since contestants will be coming from different countries and time zones, the schedule was arranged fairly, offering each country six Day 1. Day 1A was a great success in February, and French player Johnny N’guyen is the first chip leader of the event. In France (on Partouche Poker and MyPok), the next five Day 1s will be on March 3, April 17, May 5, May 12 and May 19 at 9:00 a.m. In Italy (NetBet Poker), Spain, Germany and the rest of Europe (Poker 770), they will be held on March 17, April 21, May 5, May 12 and May 19 at 7:00 a.m., with the exception of Belgium, which will be played on the same dates, but at a different time: 8:30 a.m. Last but not least, in the USA (LockPoker), the 14

dates to keep in mind are March 10, April 14, May 5, May 12 and May 19 at 9:00 a.m.

For each of these Day 1, players will get 5,000 starting chips, 15 minutes levels and 10/20 blinds. 10% of the contestants of each Day 1 will qualify for day 2 and the live event, played in Wembley stadium with 60-minute levels and 100/200 blinds, players starting with the stack they had at the end of Day 1. If they play several Day 1s, only their best results will be taken in consideration. Another option is to start directly on Day 2, but the buy-in will be more expensive: €3,000 for a stack of 50,000 chips. The Main Event will then be going live for five days, with a final table expected on May 6.

A range of side events are also scheduled, all played in the rooms of the stadium: you’ll find a daily €330 NLHE event from June 1-4, and six side events with buy-ins ranging from €1,100 to €10,900, which are expected to attract the biggest stars of the international poker scene. For more information on this huge event, the official website will give you all the latest information: www.ispt.com. march – april 2013

news

I WPT National Series, ACFPoker Tour and EFOP at the Aviation Club de France I

Laurent Polito, Pierre Antona and Markus Ristola are the big winners

J

anuary was all about poker at the Aviation Club de France, as the famous Parisian poker room hosted a full set of international tournaments, from January 10-28.

The first big event was the €1,500 + €150 WPT National Series, which attracted 229 entries, generating a €322,890 prize pool. After three days of competition, Moroccan player Omar Lakhdari reached the final table with the hugest stack, followed by Paul Fayngersh and six French opponents, Damien Lhommeau, Yossi Iffergan, Florent Estegassy, Stéphen Benabida, Laurent Polito, and Antoine Saout, who finished third in the 2009 WSOP Main Event.

Lhommeau, Estegassy and Iffergan were the first players to leave the final table, joined on the rails by Fayngersh and Saout. Omar Lakhdari couldn’t do better than third place, and Laurent Polito bested Stéphane Benabida heads-up, for €82,000 (including a €7,500 ticket to WPT Grand Prix de Paris), and a new victory on the European circuit, a few months after his first place in the €10,000 EPT High Roller in Barcelona, for €270,229.

The Aviation Club de France then hosted the second leg of the second season of its own tournament, the 2-day

march – April 2013

ACFPoker Tour, with 149 players entering the game, vying for the biggest share of the €103,927 prize pool.

Bruno Fernandes finished Day 1 as chip leader, and was still ahead as he entered the final table, but he had to deal with tough competition from Pierre Antona, who dispatched him during the heads-up. Antona pocketed €27,105 (including a €1,500 ticket to the ACFPoker Tour Grand Final), and the runner-up took home €18,435.

It was then time for the European Finals of Poker, a series of six events, to enliven the tables in the Parisian card room. Italian Giuseppe Zarbo won the €500 Bronze Championship for €12,440, Jean-Paul Pasqualini dominated the €1,000 Silver event for €24,675, and Yoni Houri won the €2,000 Championship, for €38,915. Ekrem Sanioglu took the €1,000 Pot Limit Omaha Championship and €14,38 first prize, while Basile Yaiche won €33,600 for his first place finish in the €10,000 High Roller. Last but not least, Finn Markus Ristola won the EFOP’s biggest event, the €5,000 Diamond Championship, after dominating Frenchman Michel Abeccasis (3rd) and German player Hauke Heseding on the final stage, leaving Paris with the €85,000 first prize.

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news

i FPS Finale and EPT Deauville I Canadian player

Patrick Braga wins the huge France Poker Series Finale

H

eld from January 30-February 3, the second season of the France Poker Series was a big success, and its long-awaited €1,100 Final Main Event attracted huge crowds of players in Deauville, just before the European Poker Tour stop. Among them were Team PokerStars Pro Bertrand Grospellier, Julien Brecard, and Team TV from PokerStars.fr. In all, no less than 828 contestants joined the party, creating a €794,880 prize pool. The title and the €165,000 first prize were finally won by Canadian Patrick Braga after a heads-up against Irishman Andrew King.

Right after this brilliant victory, it was already time for another great competition: the ninth edition of the European Poker Tour €5,000 + €300 Main Event, which began on February 3, attracting 782 players from the world over, and generating an insane €3,7 million prize pool. After a week of tough, surprise-filled competition, in which many a poker superstar fell before the final table, a new face emerged from the crowd, stunning all in his midst: young Frenchman Rémi Castaignon, who proved that the very exclusive club of EPT winners was still open to newcomers, by topping Walid Bou Habib from

Lebanon in an epic — and short — heads-up, and claiming first prize, not to mention a colossal €770,000 for his first victory ever in a live tournament. And all this after having qualified on Winamax for €750! So congratulations to this poker star in the making, for having won this French title on home soil.

The €10,300 High Roller tournament attracted for its part 85 entries, and Czech player Vojtech Ruzicka, pocketed €313,000 after besting French amateur Alexandre Réard, third for €105,700, and American pro Tim Reilly, runner-up for €180,000.

I LIVE EVENT I The World Series of Poker Europe are moving to Enghien-les-Bains

A

fter four years in the Casino Empire of London and two editions in Cannes, the WSOPEurope will be hosted by the spa resort of Enghien-les-Bains near Paris, from October 11-24. This next edition will be called “WSOPE Paris 2013.” The decision may come as a surprise, as the first season organized in Cannes was a huge success, breaking attendance records in 2011. But the following year, the seven-gold-bracelet circuit hit a rough patch, losing around 30% of its participants.

These disappointing results led Casino Barrière and Caesars to rethink the last year of their three-year engagement, trying to find a more congenial place than Cannes to host the competition, as that city tends to feel less exciting to players during the low season.

Far more accessible to the crowds coming from London and Paris, Enghien-les-Bains seems like a good fit, offering the opportunity to play for a gold bracelet without having to plan a long journey and a long stay. Indeed, the small city is only located 15 kilometers north of the French capital. Ty Stewart, executive director of the WSOP, adds with a smirk that, in Enghien, “there are likely twelve million Parisians all trying to make sure ‘Philippe’ Hellmuth doesn’t win another bracelet on French soil.”

Of course, the decision was not only taken to meet an economic agenda. “Barrière’s facilities in Enghien are amazing,” explains Ty 16

Stewart. Its Barrière complex is the leading casino in France, with no less than 500 slot machines and 40 tables. “The entire Barrière complex will be dedicated to poker,” continues Stewart, “every room, every salon, the entire meeting facility. It’s the first time we’ll be able to have all WSOPE tournament tables on one floor, and to have an upscale setting for the final tables — to do things in Europe like we do in Vegas.”

Like in Vegas, but with a sense of style that is distinctly European.

Indeed, this beautiful complex mixes classic and contemporary architecture, creating a special, charming atmosphere. And it never neglects comfort and service, featuring two four-star hotels, five restaurants, a theatre, a spa, a sports center, a business lounge. In short, it has everything players could wish for and it is ready to host its first international poker event.

So, what can we expect for the WSOPE Paris 2013? The schedule will remain unchanged, with seven gold bracelet events as usual, plus a High Roller event. march – april 2013

news

I LIVE POKER FESTIVAL I Grand

Casino La Mamounia hosts the Million Poker Race XIII — March 25-31

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re you ready for a week of poker in one of Morocco’s most amazing casinos? Smack in the heart of Marrakech, the luxurious Grand Casino La Mamounia awaits you for the next edition of its exceptional series, the Million Poker Race XIII and its €1,000 Main Event, from March 25-31.

The Grand Casino La Mamounia is famous among poker lovers, for cash games and tournaments, and for offering high-standard service in a wonderful setting, perfectly combining tradition and modernity.

Since 2010, players have come four times a year to Marrakech from North Africa and Europe to enjoy one of the most prestigious Moroccan series, the Million Poker Race. And for its 13th edition, the Grand Casino La Mamounia will pull out the stops, with eleven tournaments running for a week, with buy-ins ranging between €9 and €1,000.

The two-day Main Event will highlight these Moroccan series, on March 30 and March 31, with a lowered buy-in set at €1,000. This great event is a deepstack re-entry tournament, with 30,000 starting chips, starting blinds 25/50 and 40-minute levels for a comfortable first day of play.

Three €100 Satellites to the Main Event will be held on March 26, 27 and

march – April 2013

29, with a re-entry option during the first hour and twenty minutes, and a €9 Step 1 Satellite will run on March 29. Four Side Events will rouse the tables of the Million Poker Race, with a €45 Trophée Dewar’s, (2h Rebuy + Addon, €4,500 guaranteed) on March 26, a €272 tournament on March 27 (one hour twenty minute re-entry), a promising €500 Freezeout event, and a nice €91 Omaha event on March 31 (one hour twenty minute Rebuy + Addon). The new ambassador of this Million Poker Race XIII will be Marion Nedellec, member of the PokerStars French team and host of popular poker shows on French TV. During this series, Grand Casino La Mamounia offers different kinds of packages, all very affordable, for all kinds of budgets and all kinds of wishes, from €830 to €1,795, in three hotels of Marrakech (double rooms in a B&B, all packages include Diners Poker and Soft Drink).

Everything is in place to bring you the best poker experience in marvelous Morocco in spring.

More information at www.grandcasinomamounia.com Reservation: +212 524 44 45 70

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news

I POKER INDUSTRY I GPI European Poker Awards List of Winners

T

he greatest European players and personalities of the poker industry, such as Bertrand Grospellier, Marvin Rettenmaier, Davidi Kitai, were in Paris in January to receive awards — here are the results.

In January, the great awards of European Poker, renamed GPI European Poker Awards in the wake of their partnership with the Global Index of Poker, crowned their champions amid the best European pros and newcomers, as well as the great names of the poker industry in the Parisian Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Hosted by ebullient Kara Scott, this huge event welcomed in excess of 200 guests, present to both give and receive prizes. To choose the nominees, the nine members of the jury deliberated for more than three hours, before finally announcing their choice of 2012’s nine top players, as well as nine other awards:

GPI player of the year

GPI european poker awards

French Player of the Year: Bertrand Grospellier

Rookie of the Year award: Ole Schemion

German Player of the Year: Marvin Rettenmaier

Europe’s leading Lady Award: Lucille Cailly

UK Player of the Year: Roberto Romanello

Internet Player of the Year award: Jens Kyllönen

Belgian Player of the Year: Davidi Kitai

Poker Staff Person of the Year award: Simon Trumper

Irish Player of the Year: Dermot Blain

Rob Gardner Memorial award for the Personality of the Year: Kara Scott

Finnish Player of the Year: Juha Helppi

Best Event of the Year award: EPT Barcelona (Sylvie Belanger, from Casino Barcelona and Edgar Stuchly, EPT President)

Italian Player of the Year: Andrea Dato

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Best Tournament Performance award: Davidi Kitai

Austrian Player of the Year: Ivo Donev

Player of the Year award: Marvin Rettenmaier, uncontested leader of the European GPI ranking.

Spanish Player of the Year: Cesar Garcia

Lifetime Achievement Award: Gus Hansen, for his incredible poker player career. march – april 2013

news

Kara Scott and Simon Trumper

Marvin Rettenmaier and a friend

Simon Trumper, Marvin Rettenmaier, Kara Scott, Lucille Cailly, Sylvie Belanger, Edgar Stuchly, Bruno Fitoussi, Davidi Kitai

Davidi Kitai march – April 2013

Bruno Benveniste from Poker52 Europa and Alexandre Dreyfus, GPI CEO

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chronicle

I think of all the good and bad things that happened this year and I think more of it was good rather than bad.

Little things make

big things happen 20

    march – april 2013

doyle brunson

A

s 2012 has only six hours left, it leaves me in a reflective mood. I think of all the good and bad things that happened this year and I think more of it was good rather than bad. Poker was plentiful even though the Internet is gone for now. My family’s health improved and both my aging dogs had miraculous recovery’s. The economy, at least in some parts of our country is better but we still have a long road in front of us. I personally had a profitable year in poker and had two successful operations on my left arm that I’m thankful for.

I remember I promised to write several blogs about my experiences with Stu Unger and share some memories and stories about him. It’s understandable that people want to hear more about Stu because he was certainly one of the most unusual persons that I ever knew. I had hundreds of tweets on twitter asking for them. Stu had personal demons that kept him from reaching his full potential. The most remarkable fact about his poker career is that he entered thirty major poker tournaments and won ten of them. I’m not sure about this statement but I believe that he made ten final tables and won all of them. I know I finished second twice aganist him. More about that later.

I’m completely football drunk after days of watching these great television games. I love the bowl games and the NFL playoffs but they are very time consuming. It helps if you can have a few winners which I’ve had. Some of these athletes are absolutely amazing. I wonder what in the world will they be in fifty years. The players keep getting bigger, stronger, and faster. The trouble is there are so many serious injuries now. The players have to pay up in their later years.

Hopefully they will have made enough money to make it worth all the pain they will have to suffer.

Hard to believe, but I’m staying home on New Years Eve, a far cry from the “old days.” But I’ll feel better tomorrow than most of you. Happy New Year to everybody!

May the flop be with you.

• After two weeks of major depression over losing my dog Casper, I’m beginning to get back in the swing of things. I went to the poker game at the Bellagio last night and had a nice win even though I felt really bad. All the players asked about Casper and offered their condolences. It was tough reliving Casper passing away in my arms on the way to the vet but I did it, sharing my feelings with them.

It probably seems extreme to most folks because almost everybody has lost a pet. But I’m also sure that everybody had a special pet that they remember and miss more than others. How can you not miss a loving animal that was the last thing you see at night and the 1st thing you see in the morning? He slept with me and my wife every night for 16 years. We didn’t take trips unless we could take him and his running mate Cutie, a 15 year old Bichon. When I left town he would follow my wife with the same devotion.

Casper followed me everywhere, even to scratching on the bathroom door when I was in there. If I left he never failed march – April 2013

to be waiting by the door unless I was gone for a real long time. It didn’t matter to Casper if I was winner or loser, he just brought joy in my life each and every time I saw him.

He had a bed on my desk and would sleep in it as long as I sat there.

Most of you that read this will be twitter followers. I don’t know how accurate 400,000 followers is but I received hundreds, maybe thousands of tweets saying how sorry they were for my loss. I counted ten from countries outside of the United States, there were probably a lot more. I expected a lot of negative tweets from the RIP Doyle folks about why I don’t join Casper but only had one that I saw that was bad.

Naturally I blocked him and I want to thank everybody else for their sympathy tweets. Casper might have been one of the most famous dogs in the world because of my stories and tweets about his activities.

One more story about Casper. In 1998 I was playing in the WSOP and came home late at night. There were two masked men with guns waiting for me and to make a long story short, we had a 20 minute home invasion. Because I was uncooperative and set off the alarm, I got pistol whipped and it was quite a brawl. We had a two story house and Casper and Cutie were upstairs and they never came down the steps. Strange, because Casper was very territorial and bit 47 people in his lifetime. I’ve never understood why they didn’t come down. Was it a sixth sense of fear, a guardian angel or what? I’m sure if Casper tried to bite one of the men I would have been seriously hurt, maybe even killed.

After the masked men left and the cops came, Casper rushed down and bit one of the policemen. One of the mysteries of life. RIP Casper.

Doyle Brunson

but After two weeks of major depression over losing my dog Casper, I’m beginning to get back in the swing of things.

I went to the poker game at the Bellagio last night and had a nice win even though I felt really bad. All the players asked about Casper and offered their condolences.

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chronicle

Player A bet, player B raise All In and player A calls instantly. Player B shows ONLY ONE CARD.

Showing One Card Hand Dead or Not? This hand took place in 2008 in the Crown Casino Melbourne. This is a Cash Game table with blinds $5/$10. Action until the river does not matter. On the river, the board is A4Kxx and the pot is heads-up. Player A bet, player B raise All In and player A calls instantly. Player B shows ONLY ONE CARD, an Ace then player A returns his two cards and shows two kings for trip kings. BUT player B shows his second card, another Ace for trips aces! If player B would have shown both aces, player A would not have been forced to show his hand since he knows he was beat. He asked a floor and the floor person declared player B’s hand DEAD, the pot goes to player A. The reason was that player B forced player A to show his cards, knowing that he was the winner (I do not remember if straights or flushes were possible on the board). Can you ask your TD team about this crazy situation? Would you ever agree with the ruling?

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march – april 2013

You are the Tournament Director Series 5 Jack Effel

I’ve never met a player who liked to be “slow rolled.” There are no dead hands in this situation, because all bets were called at time of showdown. Player B should have received the pot. In a WSOP “tournament,” the winning hand must be shown in order to receive pot, so this issue would never come up for me. Player B would have still won the pot even if it was a WSOP cash game.

Thomas Kremser

No! The rule says that a player has to show 2 cards to win the pot but you should not penalize a player for slow rolling by declaring his hand dead.

David Lamb

No, I cannot imagine why forcing another player to reveal a losing hand would be grounds for forfeiting the pot. It may be a horrible display of sportsmanship and worthy of some other sanction, but the best hand should get the pot.

David Luzago

On an all in hand at the river both players must show their hands, both cards, this is player’s duty and the dealer’s responsibility. If, even of floor´s warning, player B showing one card behavior is repeated, he could be penalized.

Matt Savage

No never, I always want the best hand to win in a called situation. I would definitely warn the player that his actions are a slow roll and not permitted. I guarantee the player with the aces learned his lesson however.

Thomas Lamatsch

I would never agree to this ruling! Slow Rolling and the behaviour of player B was against any poker etiquette, but he didn’t make any mistake against the rules at the showdown! Player A could ask player B to open the second holecard and also the dealer should ask the player to open both cards, if he want to claim the pot! But the cards of player B are alive and didn’t touch the muck, so he has to win the pot! In a tournament I can give him a penalty, in a cashgame I have to take him away from the table, giving him a warning and then it is up to the Casino management to ban a player like this from the tables!

JP McCann

While this is an obvious slow roll from Player B I would not kill his hand in this situation. As the caller in the Hand Player A did not have to show his cards until Player B showed both of his cards.

FIDPA (The International Poker Rules) Ruling (Marcel Luske)

Its not the players posture or weight that is important with any showdown!

7.1 ... considered improper and unsportsmanlike behavior is. Making unfair statements and/or promoting action that could influence any player’s decision. march – April 2013

73.2 ... Any player intentionally ‘miscalling’ his/her hand will be penalized.

9.1... A player will receive a penalty when they, knowingly or unknowingly, violate a rule that compromises the fairness of the game. Actions, statements and/or behavior that may take advantage of the procedures or technical rules of a fair game will incur a penalty. All infractions shall be brought to the immediate attention of the dealer before the start of the ‘new deal’.

This was certainly done intentionally, unfair and knowingly! For that the winning player needs to be penalised with a punishmant yes . But he cant loose the hand as it is tabled and played out no matter how hard the looser cries!

I dont like this judgement based on simpathy. For the loser but would love to see the winner to be prohibited from the premisses for 1 year or 6 months... etc! Dont forget, he did not steal the money but won it, we call this a slowroll!

Mob Verdict

We have no hesitation in agreeing with all the TDs on this one.

Player B had a live hand which was fully identifiable. He had done nothing to adversely affect the action before the showdown and the best hand must be awarded the pot. Thomas Lamatch is right to point out that the dealer and player A have some responsibility in theory for seeing that both cards are turned before the calling hand is revealed. However it probably happened too fast for the dealer to intervene. Player A probably flipped his trip Kings over quickly as to have done anything else would ironically have looked like a slow roll most of the time.

This was indeed an unsporting slowroll by player B. The most charitable interpretation would be that he was hoping to take the pot without ever revealing the full strength of his hand. This is highly unlikely though, and would still be unsporting as well as against the rules.

We certainly agree with those who would issue a warning against the slowroller, but if TDs started awarding pots according to who behaved best at the table a lot of well know players would have gone broke a long time ago!

This was indeed an unsporting slowroll by player B. The most charitable interpretation would be that he was hoping to take the pot without ever revealing the full strength of his hand.

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las vegas poker scene

las vegas poker scene

Poker Mecca’s new gem

Inaugurated in December 2009, Aria Resort & Casino is the brand-new face of the Las Vegas renaissance — a masterpiece brought to you by MGM Resorts International. Located off of The Strip between Bellagio and Monte Carlo, this luxurious complex and its two 51- and 61-story towers are an ode to excess, with 4,004 guestrooms and suites, 16 restaurants catering to all manner of tastes, 10 bars and nightclubs, a 14,000-square-meter casino and a 1,800-seat theater. Providing some of the world’s best poker, Aria features — in the very heart of its Poker Room where poker legends such as Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu meet for high-stakes action — some of Sin City’s greatest cash games. Here, everything is set up to offer an extraordinary experience to every kind of poker player and all sorts of budgets. Headed by Director of Poker Operations Adam Altwies and Poker Host Kathleen Paculan, the room’s staff works hard every day to ensure perfect service and to make certain that all your wishes — poker-related or not — be met. The next WSOP in Vegas will be the perfect opportunity to discover the amazing extravagance of this temple of gaming, and to play cash games with some of the world’s finest professionals. Viva Aria, viva Las Vegas!

By Philip Aronson

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march – april 2013

Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas

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Las Vegas has always been the place to play poker, as it boasts the largest number of luxurious hotels and casinos, and attracts players from all over the world. In no other city can you learn, indulge yourself and win in such big ways.

But it can also be hard to avoid being blinded by the countless lights and opportunities. Don’t worry, though: there is a place that perfectly combines everything you’re looking for: the new Aria Resort & Casino, an astonishing complex completed in 2009 and featuring a AAA Five Diamond hotel, 14,000 square meters of gaming space, a fantastic spa, a huge convention center and a theater welcoming internationally acclaimed acts such as the Cirque du Soleil ®. Aria is simply the best for everything, but it has that extra special something that makes it stand out even more: customer service. In the stunning poker room, considered by many as the best in the world — player Jean-Robert Bellande calls it “the Ferrari of poker rooms” — the friendly staff will take care of your every request, allowing you to think only about your game. And that’s where things get even more interesting, as you’ll find a great selection of games on offer.

Cash Games and tournaments at Aria

Ideally situated on the east side of the casino floor between the Zarkana™ Casino Floor Box Office and the convenient entrance to the self-parking garage, the Aria Poker Room features a cozy atmosphere, with shades of dark brown, purple and deep reds, high-definition flat-screen televisions, and a large metal playing card sculpture framing the entire

march – April 2013

venue. Since the day it opened in 2009, it has been considered

by Las Vegas regulars and professional players as one of the greatest places in the world to play poker. Within its three distinct areas (the main floor, the elevated top section and the world-famous high-stakes room), the Aria Poker Room contains a total of 24 tables — all equipped with automatic shufflers and Genesis Gaming Bravo tableside management system — and offers a great variety of games in a wide range of limits, as well as daily poker tournaments.

Aria’s cash games include No Limit and Limit Hold’em (starting $1/$3 and $2/$4 blinds), Pot Limit Omaha (starting $1/$3 blinds), Omaha 8 or Better (starting $4/$8 with ½ Kill), as well as Mixed Games and Draw Games (starting $4/$8). The most popular games spread at the Aria’s tables are $1/$3, $2/$5 and $5/$10 No Limit Hold-em, $12/$24 Mix Games, $1/$3 and $2/$5 Pot Limit Omaha, as well as $4/$8 Limit Hold-em, and the room also spreads high and very high limit poker most nights. For tournament lovers, Aria holds two $100 + $25 tournaments daily, at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., with one re-entry option, 10,000 starting chips and 30-minute levels; the Poker Room will also be hosting the first American stop of the ACFPoker Tour, as the French poker circuit will cross the ocean next June, bringing to Las Vegas its exclusive $1,000 Main Event.

Incomparable service

Everything in the Aria Poker Room is geared to offering each player the greatest and coziest poker experience pos-

25

las vegas poker scene

At the poker tables the service is world-class: while attentive waiters serve all kinds of drinks and food, professional massage therapists perform tableside chair massages for a minimal fee. The Aria Poker Room is a temple exclusively dedicated to the game.

access to the games. You swipe at the table by presenting your MGM Resorts M life Card to the dealer upon arrival; you can then make up to $3/hour comps while playing cash games, which can be redeemed at a variety of restaurants throughout Aria.

At the poker tables the service is world-class: while attentive waiters serve all kinds of drinks (free Fiji water) and food, professional massage therapists perform tableside chair massages for a minimal fee. The Aria Poker Room is a temple exclusively dedicated to the game, with a staff fully committed to making every guest feel welcome.

For James Sherwood, Aria’s poker training manager, the Poker Room’s team is nothing less than stellar: “I’m proud to say that I believe we have the most friendly and helpful staff of any poker room in the world,” he says, while Aurimas Bieliauskas, Aria’s Poker Shift Manager, adds: “Staying the best poker room in the world is no longer a goal; it is a promise to you and to us.”

Aria team leaders Adam Altwies and Kathleen Paculan sible. The card room has its own cashier’s cage, and guests can use one of the establishment’s 500 safety deposit boxes, while friendly floor supervisors assist players in joining an existing game or starting a new one. Thanks to the Genesis Gaming Bravo system, the Aria Poker Room’s staff (chip runners and floor supervisors) can track waiting lists, open seats, and chip requests, thus ensuring easy, comfortable

kathleen paculan and adam altwies 26

The team, which includes poker Shift Managers Jack Kobler, Christopher Brinkley and Leon Wheeler, as well as Tournament Supervisor Aaron Well and poker floor supervisor Elayne Teitelbaum, is led by Adam Altwies, Aria’s Director of Poker Operations whose wealth of experience and expertise, honed in the finest Las Vegas casinos, puts him in a unique position to understand a player’s every wish: “I love the fact that we are in the business of creating enjoyable, long-lasting memories for each guest with whom we come into contact,” says Altwies, who joined Aria’s Poker Room in 2009, its very first year of existence.

The second leader of this very concerned team is Kathleen “Kat” Paculan, the Aria’s poker host and the person you shouldn’t miss if you’re playing in the poker room.

Kathleen is an ally to every poker player who walks through Aria’s doors, as she assists guests in countless ways, including exclusive, discounted poker rates for hotel stays at Aria, ha-rd-to-get restaurant reservations and tickets for on- and off-property shows, not to mention leisure and special-interest connections throughout Las Vegas. “She really caters to the guest! Not all poker rooms have somebody like her, or if they do, nobody knows about them!” says Adam Altwies about Kathleen, who puts it this way: “It’s our mission to ensure that each guest who comes to play in our poker room be given incomparable customer service.” For any questions, requests or reservations, don’t hesitate to contact Kat, “the ultimate connection”, at +1 702 590 7232 or kpaculan@arialasvegas.com.

Incredible service, high standards, and a devoted staff — everything is set up at the Aria Resort & Casino to make your stay in the Mecca of poker your best experience ever! march – april 2013

Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas

hotel

9th largest hotel in the world, this AAA Five Diamond Award-winning palace features 4,004 rooms, including 568 suites with fantastic views of the city. In your room, every single detail has been thought out to meet all of your needs and wishes. First off, you’ll have space: rooms vary in size from 48 square meters to 191 square meters for the biggest suite, and 650 square meters for the largest villa. While you’re relaxing on your ultramodern mattress, your touch screen remote will give you complete control of room features, such as lighting, temperature, television, music, wake-up calls etc. And when you step outside, the magic continues, with a 20,000-square-meter pool area, including hot tubs, a swimming pool lounge and a therapy pool to relax in complete serenity.

restaurants

Aria has an incredible variety of restaurants. Whether you like American steak, sushi, Chinese food, Spanish tapas or French macarons, you’ll be thrilled. 16 restaurants in all styles will make your senses travel from Europe to Asia and America, each offering a specific type of cuisine executed by the most inspired international chefs. And for the most eclectic food experience ever, try the amazing buffet, featuring every country from Italy to Mexico and India, with its own tandoori oven for freshly baked naan breads and tandoori meats. Don’t miss its carvery corner, with freshly grilled, smoked and slow-roasted BBQ items, or its renowned seafood station with all the crab legs and shrimp you can eat! march – April 2013

Cash Games and Tournaments at Aria No Limit Hold-em 1-3, 1-5, 5-10, 10-20 Blinds & Higher Limit Hold-em 2-4, 4-8, 9-18, 15-10, 20-40, 30-60 & Higher Pot Limit Omaha 1-3, 2-5, 5-10, 10-20 & Higher Omaha 8 or Better 4-8 with 1⁄2 Kill, 9-18 with 1⁄3 Kill, 20-40 with 1⁄2 Kill & Higher Mixed Games & Draw Games 4-8, 9-18, 15-30, 20-40, 30-60 & Higher No Limit Texas Hold’em Tournaments: $100 + $25 (optional $100 + $25 Re-Entry) tournaments are held every day at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Registration begins two hours before each start time. $1,000 ACFPoker Tour Main Event: next June.

27

chronicle

Winning the EPA Personality of the Year trophy for 2012 is incredible.

In the moment that my name was said, my mind went completely blank. I had nothing prepared to say.

My Award night in Paris 28

march – april 2013

Kara Scott

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his has been an incredible week for me. I flew to Paris on Monday to host the GPI European Poker Awards, nervous and excited about working to a large, live crowd. I was all prepared with my script, had completed my research on all of the nominees and I’d even written a couple of (terrible) jokes to help the evening run smoothly.

I was pretty sure that I hadn’t forgotten anything.

And then I won an award

Of course I knew that I’d been nominated for Poker Personality of the Year but in my mind, there was no way that I’d win it. I’d seen the names of the other nominees and I was completely comfortable with not winning. I can honestly say that at no point did I even wonder about it. My only preparation was to prepare my ‘I’m happy for you head nod and clapping’ pose. I was really flattered that I’d been nominated but so certain that there was no way I’d take the prize, that I even insisted to my (now slightly annoyed) boyfriend that he stay home rather than coming to Paris with me for the ceremony. Oops.

My mind went completely blank

Winning the EPA Personality of the Year trophy for 2012 is incredible. In the moment that my name was said, my mind went completely blank. I had nothing prepared to say and so I just fumbled some awkward joke (as I usually do) and then carried on hosting the rest of the evening. Because of that, I didn’t get to say just how grateful I am.

I want to thank

I want to thank my sponsor Party Poker who have given me so much support and also pushed me for the past 3 years to work hard and get better at my job. They’ve given me so many opportunities to become a bigger part of this industry.

They treat me incredibly well and I’m so happy to be their ambassador! I’m also really grateful to the people at Poker PROductions in Las Vegas for taking a chance on me years ago, with High Stakes Poker and then the WSOP coverage with ESPN. My employers are the reason that anybody in poker even knows who I am!

To everyone who voted to nominate me

So thank you to everyone who voted to nominate me, to the GPI EPA and the Jury panel at this year’s award for surprising me. I love working here in Europe and I hope to be around for many years to come!

(Also, I loved being able to hand out awards to the people who had worked so hard and found so much success in poker in 2012. It was particularly cool to congratulate my friend and colleague Marvin Rettenmaier for winning both German Player of the year and European Player of the Year.)

Kara Scott

Where I first started

I love the European poker community. This is where I first started playing poker and became fascinated with the game that would become such a huge part of my life. It’s where I met the people that made me want to know more about poker, people that I admire and respect. I am (very proudly) both a British citizen and a Canadian. With my strangely muddled North American accent, it would be easy for people to struggle to accept me as European but that hasn’t been my experience. I’ve always felt completely embraced as one of the UK’s own. Being recognised as part of the European community is gratifying in a way that I find hard to properly express.

Outlandish dresses

Despite some of the outlandish dresses that I’ve worn over the years, I’ve always thought that my job was not to be the centre of attention but instead to make sure that the ‘other people’ (interviewees, co-hosts, poker pros) shine. I’m not exactly a party animal (*cough* understatement *cough*) and I tend towards the awkward when schmoozing opportunities come up. I don’t usually voice big, controversial opinions and I’m certainly not the person that people remember meeting at any given party. For all of these reasons and more, I really didn’t expect to win this award but I’m so, so grateful that I did. march – April 2013

I love the European poker community. This is where I first started playing poker and became fascinated with the game that would become such a huge part of my life. It’s where I met the people that made me want to know more about poker, people that I admire and respect. I am (very proudly) both a British citizen and a Canadian.

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chronicle

I’d like to tell you it was a glorious day, that I played like a god, and will be heading into day two with a massive chip lead.

Playing the Genting Poker Series I’m in Birmingham for leg 1 of the GPS. What joy! Just woke up after a solid five hours kip; not too bad for a man of my advancing years. The dull ache in the back of my skull caused by the old ball and chains endless nagging is beginning to ease away now. No screaming kids, no dog to walk, no little jobs around the house to be taken care of. So peaceful. If I turn the radiator in my room up to seven and close my eyes I could be in the Caribbean. Thank heavens for Genting poker! I fancy first prize could be around £50,000, not too shabby for a £400 buy inn. Now all I have to do is win it! My plan is to play good and get lucky. Updates to follow. Ps love you really Mrs B. x 30

march – april 2013

Ross Boatman

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hank you all for you good luck messages, they were much appreciated. I’d like to tell you it was a glorious day, that I played like a god, and will be heading into day two with a massive chip lead. Truthfully, I can’t say that I played my absolute A game, and the deck certainly didn’t hit me in the face. However, I did pay a solid game and Lady Luck didn’t turn her back on me entirely. I managed to make it into day 2 with 62,200. It’s a little below the average at this point but the blinds will be 800/1600 at the start of the day which means there is still plenty of play in my stack. It’s not ideal but I’m still there and still in the hunt. Today is day 1B which means I have a day to rest and recover after a gruelling twelve hour day. Tomorrow we go to war!

Genting poker series Day 2

Thank you again for all your messages. All the fingers, toes and legs you’ve crossed for me seem to be paying off!

There were 584 entries into this leg of the tour, 23 players remain, and yours truly is still there in the hunt. We played ten one hour levels yesterday, and the first nine went very well for me. I played super solid poker, and without ever once flopping a set, making a flush or hitting a straight, I managed to build the 62,000 I started the day with into 750,000. Then the wheel came off. At the penultimate level, with sevens seconds left on the clock before the last break of the day, the dealer managed to riffle the deck and deal us one last hand. The short stack at the table moved all in for 19k. The action was passed round to me in the small blind and with Ace Ten suited I raised it up to 40k hoping to shut the big blind out and get the pot heads up with the all in player. Unfortunately the big blind had other plans.

He flat called my 40k “I have a monster”, he announced “Me too” I replied” The flop came down Ace, five, nine. I made a continuation of bet 50k and he called quickly. The turn card was an eight, I fired out another 80k. and again he called without hesitation. The river was a four. By now The alarm bells were ringing and I wasn’t feeling too confident about my hand. I checked and my opponent rolled over Ace King. I lost 170k in the pot. It wasn’t a fatal blow but it was certainly a turning point for me. At the final level of of play nothing went my way and I finished the day with a very disappointing 250k. Day three will begin with the average stack being around 600k and blinds of 10k/20k I’m not in great shape but I’m there, Ive got a shot, and with the blinds being so big things can change very quickly at this stage. 23rd place will pay £1,230 First prize is a massive £55,000. Lets gamble!

Genting poker series day 3

Whoopee! Third place and a grand prize of £30,000.

Thank you so much to everyone who wished me good luck.

It genuinely spurred me on to know there were so many people willing me on to do well. Thank you also for all the congratulatory messages, again it’s very warming to to have so much support. march – April 2013

Julian Thew and Colin McTaggart

I started day 3 with just 12 big blinds. For the benefit of my non poker playing buddies, that basically means I was very low on chips. I fully expected to be home in time to take the dog for his daily trot around the park and then pick the kids up from school. But as luck would have it I managed to accumulate some chips early on by getting all my money in with the worst hand twice and get lucky both times. After that I never really looked back, I played good and eventually arrived at the final table with confidence and 2.2 million in chips. For the first four or five orbits I was completely card dead and as my chips were ebbing away in blinds and antes, the short stacks were building and growing in confidence. When I did eventually find a hand, Ace King suited, I was played off it Pre flop by a player who as it turned out had A.K also. I was beginning to feel that perhaps it wasn’t going to be my day after all. Then all of a sudden it was as if the heavens opened up and the poker gods were not so much smiling, but grinning at me, and even giving me the thumbs up. I wouldn’t say the deck hit me in the face, it was more like it jumped off the table slapped me round the mush with full force. I went on a heater like I’ve never known. Aces and kings came raining down on me, and within twenty minutes five of my opponents had bitten the dust and I had gone from 1.7 mil to 5.2 mil. We were now four handed now and I was buzzing, but heaters don’t last for ever and when I got the short stack all in for his last 500k with yet another pair of kings, and his queen ten rivered a straight, I knew it was over. I immediately doubled him up again when I ran AQ into AK and then lost another big pot when Julian Thew out played me. I was down to 2.6 and was now the short stack. When a deal was suggested I was happy to listen. 30 bags each and 40 for Julian who had a commanding chip lead seemed like pretty good business to me me. We shook hands a decided to play on for the trophy. It would have been very nice to pick up the trophy but I was exhausted, and now that the deal had been done and I was so low on chips I was going to find it hard to focus. I wanted a speedy conclusion one way or the other so I decided it was time to start gambling. I four bet jammed for 2.5 with A3, found myself up against AA and it was curtains for the Boatman. Congratulations to Julian who went on to lift the trophy. A class act, a true gent and a very worthy winner. Well done mate.

Ross Boatman

Thank you so much to everyone who wished me good luck. It genuinely spurred me on to know there were so many people willing me on to do well.

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creative commons : grand parc bordeaux

upcoming

tournaments

tournament

Montenegro Open

A new poker destination Looking for a change of scenery? From April 9-14, the first edition of the Montenegro Open will be your chance to fly away and live an intense five days of poker on the gorgeous and unspoiled coast of Budva, in the south of the young country. 15 events with all kinds of buy-ins will be perfectly set up in the beautiful Maestral Casino & Resort, giving you the opportunity to win big, especially if you like Deepstack. This spring, come discover the amazing charms of Montenegro, the new poker destination!

By Adam Stalzman

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march – april 2013

Montenegro Open

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The brand new Montenegro Open, a 15-tournament event running from April 9-14 at the Maestral Casino & Resort, is the brainchild of WPT Marrakech and the Annecy Open de France tournament director Pierrick Torasso, and Roger Hairabedian, one of France’s best players, famous for his WSOP bracelet and earnings in excess of $3,850,000. Their plan is to open the world of poker to new destinations that they feel have a strong potential, as they combine a perfect climate, unspoiled nature and luxurious yet affordable resorts and casinos. Indeed, up until recently, poker destinations were always more or less the same: Las Vegas, Cannes, Monte-Carlo, London, Berlin... But times have changed. Players are harder and harder to please, as they tend to look for beautiful surroundings, nice weather, luxurious resorts, big crowds of players, and of course high-level poker. An overview of Europe led the pair to the lovely Montenegrin town of Budva, still virtually untouched by tourism, but a more than promising destination nonetheless.

A big week of poker during the Open du Montenegro

The biggest international series have nothing on the Montenegro Open, with the 15 events, satellites and side events that will be held for its first edition from April 9-14. The most important of them all will be the €900 + €100 re-entry Main Event from April 12-14, with 20,000 starting chips and 60-minute levels. Online qualification to the Main Event will run from March at PMU.fr. The Montenegrin festival will also include a great 3-day €500 + €60 Deepstack event from April 10-12, with 30,000 starting chips, 40-minute rounds and a deep, slow game structure. Don’t forget the High Roller €1,350 + €150 Side Event from April 13-14, and 12 other competitions tailored to fit all kinds of players and all kinds of budgets,

how to get there By air: Tivat Airport is 8 kilometers away.

Montenegro Airlines operates flights out of major European cities such as Copenhagen, London, Paris, and Moscow. Another option is Podgorica airport, 65 kilometers away, with flights throughout the year to Belgrade, Budapest, Zurich, Frankfurt, Rome, and Vienna. Podgorica airport to Budva by taxi will set you back around €50 to €100. (Fix a price beforehand; do not depend on the meter!) Dubrovnik airport in Croatia is not far either, around 80 kilometers from Budva, and has flights to many European destinations throughout the year, providing a good alternative to the Montenegrin airports. A taxi to Budva costs €90.

By bus: In Montenegro, the bus is king! Budva is very well connected with major cities in neighboring countries. Buses are usually on time, though schedules vary from season to season. There is no good online source for the frequently changing schedules, so the best option is to call the bus station directly: +382 33 456 000.

poker destinations were always more or less the same... But times have changed. Players are harder and harder to please, as they tend to look for beautiful surroundings, nice weather, luxurious resorts, big crowds of players, and of course high-level poker. march – April 2013

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tournament with daily €175 + €25 Nightly Events from April 10-14, and a three-day €500 + €60 Heads-Up Montenegro Championship, running from April 12-13.

Cash game tables will be open 24 hours a day during the whole poker festival, with 10 NLHE tables (€2/€4, €5/€5, €5/€10 and €10/€20) and 2 PLO tables (€10/€20 and €20/€40). With such a complete offer, there is no doubt that players from all around eastern, central, southern and western Europe will come take their chances in Montenegro — already a favorite destination for Italians and Austrians. In 2011, the €1,500 Peoples Poker Tour attracted a field of 345 players, generating a €501,975 prize pool. Italian players dominated the last six-handed table, and Sallustro Pellegrino bested Alessandro Goveni heads-up, for €125,000.

Affordable packages at the Maestral Casino & Resort

Nestled in a romantic rocky bay of the Montenegrin Riviera, the superb Maestral Casino & Resort will supply a perfect setting for this intense poker competition. On one side, a beautiful sandy beach and the deep blue of the Adriatic Sea; on the other, magnificent mountains bringing cool winds to refresh the hot summer months. In the spring, this place is a true paradise: you can relax in the indoor and the outdoor pools, the jacuzzi, the sauna or on the tennis courts, or walk to the charming, sleepy fishermen’s village of Pržno. While inside the frantic crazy life of poker competition will be raging at the poker tables, outside all

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will be quiet and gorgeous. The historic town of Budva is only 7 kilometers away, and in it you’ll find everything you need there, from bars and cafés to nice little restaurants, and a lively nightlife.

To accommodate you in the best way possible, many very affordable packages are available. For instance, a single room with breakfast, dinner, and access to all parts of the resort (Fitness Center and Swimming Pool) is only €74 a day. For two players, it’s even cheaper, as a twin room with breakfast, dinner and access to all parts of the resort costs only €104 a day (€52 per player).

In a word, Budva is set to become a new European poker hotspot, with beautiful settings, high-level poker and affordable luxury. So let’s all go to Montenegro!

march – april 2013

Montenegro Open

Montenegro Open Program

April 9/Tue • (9.00 pm): €100 + €20 Satellite to Deepstack April 10/Wed • (2.00 pm): €500 + €60 Deepstack Day 1 (3-day Event, Re-entry) • (6.00 pm): €200 + €25 Satellite to Montenegro Open • (9.00 pm): €175 + €25 Turbo Cash April 11/Thu • (3.00 pm): €200 + 25 Satellite to Montenegro Open • (9. 00 pm): €200 + 25 Satellite to Montenegro Open (Rebuy + Addon €100) • (9.00 pm): €175 + €25 Turbo Cash April 12/Fri • (2.00 pm): €900 + €100 Montenegro Open Main Event Day 1 march – April 2013

(3-day Event, Re-entry) • (2.30 pm): €200 + €25 Satellite to €1,500 Side Event (Rebuy + Addon €100) • (9.00 pm): €500 + €60 Heads-Up Montengero Championship Day 1 (2-day Event) • (9.00 pm): €175 + €25 Turbo Cash April 13/Sat • ( 2.00 pm): €1,350 + €50 Side Event Day 1 (2-day Event) • (9.00 pm): €175 + €25 Turbo Cash April 14/Sun • ( 2.00 pm): €270 + €30 Short Handed Event • ( 9.00 pm): €175 + €25 Turbo Cash 37

tournament

Casinos Austria Poker Tour Salzburg & Bregenz

Two great poker tournaments in the Austrian Alps

After stops in Kitzbühel in December and Seefeld in January to open its sixth season, the Casinos Austria Poker Tour will reach the cities of Salzburg and Bregenz, from April 9-13 and April 28-May 5 respectively, with hundreds of thousands of Euros at stake. Starting April 10, Salzburg’s series will host a three-day €500 Main Event (with two Day 1), while the highlight of Bregenz’s festival will be the €2,000 four-day Main Event, from May 2-5. Here is the program of these two wonderful festivals, in the friendly casinos of the Austrian Alps.

By Julien Morello

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march – april 2013

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Casinos Austria Poker Tour Salzburg & Bregenz

Springtime is one of the best seasons to visit Austria, and what better than a great tournament series to make you want to travel to this mountainous country’s most beautiful cities? The historical city of Salzburg will be the third leg of the CAPT 2013 from April 9-13: its old town features some of Europe’s best-preserved and renowned baroque architecture, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The western city of Bregenz will hold the following stop of the Austrian poker circuit, from April 28-May 5. Situated on the eastern shores of Lake Constance, at the foot of Pfänder Mountain, between Switzerland and Germany, it is famous for its annual summer music festival, the Bregenzer Festspiele, and for its Old Upper town, full of historical buildings, museums, and churches. At both of these lovely destinations, you will enjoy playing poker.

A very professional tour

The “savoir-faire” of the CAPT teams is indisputable: for years now every leg of this poker tour has welcomed the best European players as well as top-notch German and Austrian poker stars such as Sandra Naujoks. The structure of the Main Event is particularly attractive, with a starting stack of 50,000 chips and the possibility of a second chance.

There are nine levels of play for Day 1, and the tournament starts at 2 p.m. for everyone.

Two extraordinary casinos…

These two festivals will be held at two extraordinary locations. Perched on the Mönchsberg Mountain overlooking the city, the Casino Salzburg is located inside the Schloss Klessheim palace, 4 kilometers west of the city center.

This magnificent baroque castle was designed by Austria’s foremost baroque architect — Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach — whose design was based on Versailles and northern Italy’s Palladian style. The combination of baroque art and modern gaming lend the casino an atmosphere all its own.

The Casino Bregenz was opened in 1986. Its advantageous location on the shores of the picturesque Lake Constance, its inventive architecture and several pavilions, the tasteful interior of its spacious rooms and the warmth of the staff offer its guests an extraordinary experience. In each casino, you will feel at home, and the perfect conditions will inspire you to play your A-Game.

…for two amazing series

For its sixth edition, the CAPT Salzburg will host four tournaments, including the three-day €500 Main Event, which will run from April 10 (Day 1B on April 11)-April 13, with a re-entry option, and a Second Chance option up to Level 6. A two-day €300 Deepstack Event will run on April 9 and April 10, with a Second Chance up to Level 4, followed on April 12 and April 13 by a €150 two-day tournament (1 Rebuy + 1 Addon until the end of Level 3), and a €250 Turbo Deepstack Knockout Bounty (€50) on April 13. march – April 2013

how to get there Salzburg W. A. Mozart Airport is Austria’s second largest airport, and has flights to European cities such as Vienna, London, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels, Hamburg, Zürich, and Dublin. It is located 3.1 kilometers from the city center, and connects to Salzburg via the trolleybus 2, 8, and Salzburg bus 27.

The nearest airports to Bregenz are Zürich (120 kilometers away), and Friedrichshafen (32 kilometers away), in Germany. From Friedrichshafen airport, a train trip to Bregenz takes around 50 minutes. By train, you can reach Bregenz from Munich (3 ½ hours), and from Zürcih (1 hour and 45 minutes).

In Bregenz, alongside the €2,000 Big Four Main Event, which will run from May 2-5, players will get the opportunity to enter five attractive tournaments. The two-day €300 Deepstack will open the festival on April 28 (Day 1B on the 29th), followed on April 30 by a two-day €500 Pot Limit Omaha tournament and a €200 Supersatellite to the Main Event (1 Rebuy or 1 Addon), and on May 1 by a €400 Knockout Bounty tournament (€100). Then, while the €2,000 Main Event will reach its third day on May 4, the 2-day €800 Deepstack tournament will be the last chance to pocket huge cash money during Bregenz series.

The best Austrian, German and Swiss players will be there to grab a share of the prize pool, so get ready for some intense days of poker.

The “savoir-faire” of the CAPT teams is indisputable: for years now every leg of this poker tour has welcomed the best European players.

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Where to stay Where to stay in Salzburg in Bregenz Hotel Auersperg ****

Hotel Mercure ****

Hotel Mercure City ****

Hotel WeiSSes Kreuz ****

Hotel Salzburg ****

Hotel Ibis ***

Star Inn Hotel Salzburg***

Hotel Kaiserstrand ****

Single room from €110/Double room from €145 Auerspergstraße 64, 5020 Salzburg www.auersperg.at office@auersperg.at Tel.: +43 (0) 662/88 944-0

Single room from €89/Double room from €104 Bayerhamerstraße 14a, 5020 Salzburg www.mercure.com H0984@accor.com Tel.: +43 (0) 662/88 14 38-402

Single room from €95/Double room from €140 Himmelreich 6, 5020 Salzburg www.hotelsalzburg.at office@hotelsalzburg.at Tel.: +43 (0) 662/85 68 00-0

Single room from €56/Double room from €74 Franz-Brötzner-Straße 15, 5071 Wals-Siezenheim www.starinnhotels.com salzburg.airport@starinnhotels.com Tel.: +43 (0) 662/85 55 25

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Single room from €95/Double room from €121 Platz der Wiener Symphoniker 2, 6900 Bregenz www.mercure-bregenz.com H0799@accor.com Tel.: +43 (0) 5574/46100

Single room from €97/Double room from €124 Römerstraße 5, 6900 Bregenz www.hotelweisseskreuz.at hotelweisseskreuz@kinz.at Tel.: +43 (0) 5574/49880

Single room from €70/Double room from €88 Sankt Anna Straße 11, 6900 Bregenz www.ibishotel.com/5210 h5210_RE@accor.com Tel.: +43 (0) 5574/524500

Single room from €130/Double room from €155 Am Kaiserstrand 1, A-6911 Lochau www.seehotel-kaiserstrand.com info@seehotel-kaiserstrand.at Tel.: +43 (0) 5574/58111

march – april 2013

Casinos Austria Poker Tour Salzburg & Bregenz

CAPT Salzburg Open €2,000 Main Event List of Winners List of Winners

CAPT Bregenz Open €2,000 Main Event List of Winners List of Winners 2008 Field: 187 players Prize pool: €355,300 1st Markus Lehmann (Germany) €95,930 2nd Carsten Joh (Germany) €67,510 3rd Marco Liesy (Germany) €49,740 2009 Field: 223 players Prize pool: €423,700 1st Antoanell Judet (Romania) €110,160 2nd Andreas Krause (Germany) €76,260 3rd S. Homann (Germany) €55,080 2010 Field: 169 players Prize pool: €321,100 1st Daniel Lackner (Austria) €87,660 2nd Besim Hot (Switerland) €62,290 3rd Muhamed Veselji (Bosnia) €43,670 2011 Field: 184 players Prize pool: €349,600 1st Izak Muday (Turkey) €92,645 2nd Erich Kollmann (Austria) €65,725 3rd Milan Joksic (Austria) €46,150 2012 Field: 170 players Prize pool: €323,000 1st Stjepan Jokic (Austria) €88,825 2nd Kai Schmied (Germany) €54,910 3rd Josef Friedl (Germany) €35,530 march – April 2013

2008 Field: 84 players Prize pool: €159,600 1st G. Schiesser (Germany) €47,880 2nd Markus List (Germany) €35,100 3rd Dominik Pfeiffer (Austria) €25,540 2009 Field: 123 players Prize pool: €233,700 1st T. Hofmann (Switzerland) €65,440 2nd Dragan Galic (Croatia) €46,740 3rd Matthias Pialek (Austria) €32,720 2010 Field: 114 players Prize pool: €216,6000 1st Marco Liesy (Germany) €60,650 2nd Philip Hollinger (Austria) €43,320 3rd Ronny Kaiser (Switzerland) €30,320 2011 Field: 97 players Prize pool: €184,300 1st Andreas Dygruber (Austria) €53,450 2nd Seung Song (South Korea) €38,700 3rd Erich Kollmann (Austria) €27,650 2012 Field: 69 players Prize pool: €131,000 1st Simon Mertlitsch (Austria) €41,950 2nd Klaus Harder (Germany) €26,220 3rd M. Khorramshahi (Thailand) €17,180

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European Poker Tour Berlin 2013

The most popular European Poker Tour stop The PokerStars European Poker Tour will make its fourth visit to the exciting German capital from April 17-27, for a great poker series hosted by the Grand Hyatt. Get ready for a huge €5000 + €300 Main Event, as this stop has since its first edition in 2010 been one of the biggest and most popular tournaments in the European circuit program. Players from around the world love to compete in this “global city,” with top pros fighting for a share of the massive prize pool. In 2010, the young Kevin MacPhee came back to America with the 1 million-euro first prize, and Benjamin Willinofsky launched his poker career here in 2011, pocketing €825,000. Last year, Davidi Kitai took €712,000, and the Triple Crown.

But the Main Event and its big cash prizes won’t be the only reason to attend the EPT Berlin this season, as this poker festival is getting more intense than ever, with 45 events set to take place in 10 days!

By Philip Aronson

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march – april 2013

European Poker Tour Berlin

W

When the EPT stopped in Berlin for the first time in 2010, it was an immediate success, as if the poker world had been waiting for this event for a very long time. In its first season, it brought an incredible field to the German capital, with 945 players competing in the Main Event. Since then, attendance has decreased slightly, with 773 entries in 2011 and 745 in 2012. But 2013 is expected to be a banner year, with a new and improved venue equipped to welcome a record number of players to the German event.

Perfect German event planning in the Grand Hyatt’s new game room

The first edition of the EPT Berlin took place in the Grand Hotel Hyatt’s game room. In the wake of the series’ great success the EPT moved for two years to a larger venue: the Spielbank Berlin, the biggest of the three casinos in town, in 2011 and 2012. But this year, the EPT will return to the new and improved Hyatt. “The new environment should be more convenient for poker players, with the 40 tournament tables and 20 cash tables all located in the same area,” says Pokerstars. Security will be beefed up for what should be the biggest poker tournament in German history. The field is expected to exceed 1,000 players, which is highly unusual in Europe. The player able to best that many opponents will surely make history.

Obviously, poker enjoys special treatment at the Grand Hyatt. Originally chosen to host the event on the very first edition of the German stop, it had everything to welcome players and offer a great poker experience. The only problem was the competition’s unexpected success. With 945 excited players from all over the world, the Grand Hyatt felt a bit too small, so the EPT Berlin moved for the ensuing two years to the Spielbank Casino, during which time the Hyatt was able to rethink its game room. It’s now ready, with stateof-the-art equipment you’re going to have the privilege of breaking in. What’s more, after three years of experience the competition’s organizers have attained perfection — so there is no doubt that thanks to the EPT, Germany’s biggest poker event will once again be a resounding success.

Ten days of high-level poker

This huge German poker fest will start with the €1,000 + €100 Berlin Cup, a brand new four-day tournament, with Day 1A on April 17, Day 1B on April 18 and a final table set for April 21. This Berlin Cup mini-series will also host a €3,000 + €200 High Roller on April 20 and 21. Then players will gear up for the €5,000 + €300 EPT Main Event starting April 21, an intense six-day poker marathon. Last year in Berlin, Davidi Kitai made poker history by defeating 744 opponents for a €712,000 cash prize and his first EPT title, thus becoming the first Belgian player to win the Triple Crown. This year, again, top pros will compete through the €10,000 + €300 High Roller event, on April 25-26, trying to succeed Frenchman Bertrand Grospellier, who overcame English star Chris Moorman last year in a heads-up, for a €231,000 first prize. march – April 2013

Besides these highlights, EPT Berlin will hold more than 40 other events, with several satellites and a great selection of NLHE and PLO events, with buy-ins ranging from €100 + €20 to €5,000 + €250. All kinds of structures will be featured throughout this epic side events schedule, with very promising two-day tournaments, such as a €1,000 + €100 and a €2,000 + €150 NL, a €1,000 + €100 NL Heads-Up, a €2,000 + €150 PLO Heads-Up, a €2,000 + €150 Deepstack 8-Handed, as well as some new interesting events, such as a €500 + €50 NLH/PLO/PLO 8, a €1,000 + €100 7 Card Stud Deepstack and a €500 + €50 7 Game (HORSE/NLH/PLO) tournaments.

No doubt about it, 2013 will be a particularly great edition, as the biggest names of the poker scene will once again come to Berlin for twelve wild days of competition, so don’t miss this great occasion to make poker history by entering the very exclusive club of EPT winners!

how to get there By air: Berlin’s main international airport, Tegel Airport has direct flights from most European cities, or connections via Frankfurt and London. From the airport, there are regular express bus services into the city; a taxi costs approximately €20. Budget airlines also fly direct into Berlin’s Schoenefeld Airport. From Schoenefeld Airport, you can reach the city by train or taxi; a taxi costs approximately €25 - €35.

By train: The new Berlin Hauptbahnhof, opened in 2006, is the central point of arrival for all long-distance trains, with the exceptions of night trains from Moscow, Warsaw and Kiev, which start and end at Berlin Lichtenberg. More information on www.bahn.de By bus: Many companies offer bus service from major European cities to Berlin, such as Prague, London, Paris, Potsdam, etc.

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hotels Grand Hyatt Berlin

Located in the heart of the city, the Grand Hyatt will be the perfect host of the EPT Berlin, and the best place to stay after a long day at the tables. Its 342 elegant rooms and suites, as well as a its fantastic Club Olympus Spa, with a swimming pool overlooking the rooftops of the Mitte district, are the perfect settings to relax and embrace the German idea of luxury. Special rates for EPT participants.

Address: Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 2 10785 Berlin Tel: +49 30 2553 1234 Email: berlin.grand@hyatt.com

Regent Hotel

Located in the vibrant district of Mitte, just a few blocks from the Spielbank Casino. According to Condé Nast Traveller, this five-star hotel is one of the “best places to stay in the world.” Here, first-class amenities, iconic design and perfect service attract the rich and famous, so don’t be surprised if you meet Brangelina or George Clooney in the lobby. The Regent also features some of 44

the best food in Berlin, as the only 2-Michelin-starred restaurant in town is part of the hotel.

Address: Charlottenstraße 49 10117 Berlin-Mitte Tel: +49 3020 338 Email: info.berlin@regenthotels.com

Hotel Adlon Kempinski

The grande dame of Berlin’s luxury hotels, but also an iconic landmark of the German capital, the Hotel Adlon Kempinski attracts presidents and celebrities the world over for its elegant, old-world charm. Conveniently located a few minutes from the casino, the five-star hotel offers lavish spa and gym facilities, Michelin-starred restaurants, and unparalleled service.

Address: Unter den Linden 77 10117 Berlin-Mitte Tel: +49 3022 610 Web: http://www.kempinski.com

restaurants Fischers Fritz

With two Michelin stars for the fifth consecutive year, the restaurant of the Regent Hotel is a real institution in town. Chef Christian Lohse will take you to seventh march – april 2013

European Poker Tour Berlin heaven with his seafood and fish innovations. The cuisine is exceptional; the décor classic and sumptuous — yet the food is surprisingly very affordable, so there is no reason not to try the best gourmet food in Berlin! €24 - €120 Address: Charlottenstraße 49 10117 Berlin-Mitte Tel: +4930 2033 6363 Web: http://www.fischersfritzberlin.com/

Hugos

After getting high on adrenaline at the poker table, take a deep breath and get high... literally. Hugos will take you to the fourteenth floor, where a breathtaking panoramic view of Berlin is waiting for you. Here, you’ll enjoy the most exquisite and innovative cuisine, and an amazing selection of wines — with more than 600 bottles on offer. In short, this one-star restaurant is extraordinary in all kinds of ways, which means you won’t regret spending a little more than usual. €110- €150 Address: Budapester Straße 2 10787 Berlin-Charlottenburg Tel: +4930 26 020 Web: http://www.hugos-restaurant.de

Tausend Cantina

Definitely an unconventional option, you could think at first, but this is without any doubt one of the best restaurants in town. You should rush to this Mitte spot while it’s still relatively unknown and discover its excellent, high-concept Spanish-Japanese cuisine that is sure to revolutionize your taste buds forever. A place you will neither regret, nor forget. €30 - €70 Address: Schiffbauerdamm 11 10117 Berlin-Mitte Tel: +4930 2758 ext. 2070 Mail: host@tausendberlin.com

march – April 2013

night life Berghain

A Berlin nightlife institution, and celebrated by many as one of the world’s best nightclubs, Berghain’s throbbing techno beats and hedonistic vibe draw thousands of locals every weekend to party until sun comes up again. Celebs like to party here too — there was a recent Lady Gaga sighting — though the club is anything but glamorous; located in a former power plant, Berghain has a minimalistic design, with loads of concrete and steel. Entrance is quite selective.

Address: Am Wriezener Bahnhof 10243 Berlin Friedrichshain

NEU! Bar

NEU!, founded in 2009 by Alex Konuk — a lover of subversive underground art and music — is a killer highclass hotspot which hosts regular events. Beer flows all night in this cool, cozy club, and as in all truly radical establishments, it boasts a fine selection of whisky. Don’t forget to bring a cigar.

Address: Greifswalderstr. 218 10405 Berlin-Friedrichshain

Tier

Smoky and dim, Tier is one of Neukölln’s standout hipster havens. This raffish, understated bar has expansive, appropriately fogged glass windows framing as from within a fishbowl the cobblestone streets outside. A cozy, friendly atmosphere.

Address: Weserstraße 42 12045 Berlin-Friedrichshain

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€5,000 Main Event List of Winners Season 6 – 2010 Field: 945 players Prize pool: €4,725,000 1st Kevin MacPhee (United States) €1,000,000 2nd Ilari Tahkokallio (Finland) €600,000 3rd Marc Inizan (France) €350,000 Season 7 – 2011 Field: 773 players Prize pool: €3,865,000 1st Benjamin Wilinofsky (Canada) €825,000 2nd Max Heinzelmann (Germany) €500,000 3rd Vadim Kursevich (Belarus) €300,000 Saison 8 – 2012 Field: 745 players Prize pool: €3,725,000 1st Davidi Kitai (Belgium) €712,000 2nd Andrew Chen (Canada) €613,000 3rd Andre Morath (Germany) €290,000

davidi kitai

€10,000 High Roller Event List of Winners

elky 46

Season 6 – 2010 Field: 48 players Prize pool: €480,000 1st Andreas Bauer (Germany) €188,000 2nd Jeffrey Sarwer (Canada) €110,000 3rd Koen Berendsen (Netherlands) €67,000 Season 7 – 2011 Field: 48 players Prize pool: €480,000 1st Daniel Drescher (Germany) €192,000 2nd Sebastian Ruthenberg (Germany) €115,000 3rd Philipp Gruissem (Germany) €67,000 Saison 8 – 2012 Field: 68 entries Prize pool: €660,000 1st Bertrand Grospellier (France) €231,000 2nd Chris Moorman (England) €145,200 3rd Marvin Rettenmaier (Germany) €85,800 march – april 2013

European Poker Tour Berlin

EPT Berlin Schedule April 17/Wed • (12.00 am) H: €1,000 + €100 Berlin Cup Day 1A (4-day Event) • (8.00 pm) S: €100 + €10 Super Satellite to Berlin Cup (Unl. Rebuy + Addon) • (9.00 pm) H: €150 + €20 Last Chance Turbo Satellite to Berlin Cup April 18/Thu • (12.00 am) H: €1,000 + €100 Berlin Cup Day 1B (4-day Event) • (8.00 pm) S: €200 + €20 Super Satellite to EPT Main Event (Unl. Rebuy + Addon) April 19/Fri • (4.00 pm) H: €300 + €30 NLHE Day 1 (2-day Event) • (8.00 pm) S: €200 + €20 Super Satellite to EPT Main Event (Unl. Rebuy + Addon) • (9.00 pm) €1,000 + €100 NL Turbo April 20/Sat • (12.00 am) H: €3,000 + €200 Berlin Cup High Roller Day 1 (2-day Event) • (2.00 pm) S: €200 + €20 Super Satellite to EPT Main Event (Unl. Rebuy + Addon) • (4.00 pm) H: €500 + €50 PLO 6-Handed Double Chance Day 1 (2-day Event) • (6.00 pm) H: €300 + €30 NL Turbo Deepstack • (8.00 pm) S: €500 + €50 Super Satellite to EPT Main Event (1 Rebuy + 1 Addon) April 21/Sun • (12.00 am) H: €5,000 + €300 EPT Main Event Day 1A (6-day Event) • (1.00 pm) S: €300 + €30 NL Women’s Event • (3.00 pm) S: €2,000 + €100 PLO Turbo 8-Handed • (8.00 pm) S: €500 + €50 Super Satellite to EPT Main Event (1 Rebuy + 1 Addon) • (9.00 pm) sH: €1,050 + €50 Last Chance Turbo Satellite to EPT Main Event April 22/Mon • (12.00 am) H: €5,000 + €300 EPT Main Event Day 1B (6-day Event) • (4.00 pm) S: €500 + €50 PL 7 Card Stud • (8.00 pm) S: €2,000 + €100 NL Turbo 8-Handed April 23/Tue • (4.00 pm) S: €2,000 + €150 NL Hold’em Day 1 (2-day Event) • (8.00 pm) H: €1,000 + €100 PLO 8-Handed Day 1 (2-day Event) • (9.15 pm) H: €300 + €30 NL Turbo April 24/Wed • (12.00 am) S: €500 + €500 + €50 NL Turbo Bounty

march – April 2013

• (2.00 pm) H: €1,000 + €100 NL Head-Up Day 1 (2-day Event) • (4.00 pm) H: €1,000 + €100 NL Hold’em Day 1 (2-day Event) • (8.00 pm) S: €500 + €50 NLH/PLO/PLO8 8 Handed Day 1 (2-day Event, Unl. Rebuy) • (9.15 pm) H: €300 + €30 NL Turbo Win the Button!

• (10.00 pm) H: €200 + €20 PL 5 Card Stud Deepstack 6-Handed Turbo April 25/Thu • ( 12.00 am) H: €1,000 + €100 NL Hold’em 6-Handed Win the Button (30 Minute Levels) • ( 1.00 pm) H: €10,000 + €300 High Roller 8 Handed Day 1 (2-day Event, Single Re-entry) • (3.00 pm) S: €200 + €20 Super Satellite to 2K Deepstack (Unl. Rebuy + Addon) • ( 7.00 pm) H: €1,000 + €100 NL Hold’em Turbo 6-Handed • ( 8.00 pm) S: €1,000 + €100 7 Card Stud Deepstack Day 1 (2-day Event) • ( 9.15 pm) H: €300 + €30 NL Turbo April 26/Fri • ( 12.00 am) H: €1,000 + €100 NL Hold’em Turbo • (12.00 am) S: €200 + €20 Turbo Super Satellite to 2K Deepstack (1 Rebuy + 1 Addon) • ( 1.00 pm) H: €2,000 + €150 PLO Heads-Up Day 1 (2-day Event) • (2.00 pm) H: €750 + €50 NL Turbo Satellite to 5K Turbo) • ( 5.00 pm) H: €2,000 + €150 Deepstack 8-Handed Day 1 (2-day Event, 30 Minute Levels) • ( 8.00 pm) H: €500 + €50 7 Game (HORSE-NLH-PLO) 6-Handed Day 1 (2-day Event) • ( 9.15 pm) S: €300 + €100 + €30 NL Turbo Bounty April 27/Sat • ( 12.00 am) H: €5,000 + €250 NL Turbo 6-Handed • ( 1.00 pm) H: €300 + €30 Spring Break Deepstack Turbo €30K GTD • ( 5.00 pm) H: €2,000 + €100 NL Turbo 6-Handed • ( 6.00 pm) H: €100 + €20 NL Hyper Turbo €10K GTD

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World Poker Tour Venice

Mega Tournament in the City of Water The World Poker Tour returns to the beautiful city of Venice for the fifth edition of this Italian festival, with a new special schedule including a WPT National Series event, lighting up the Casinó di Venezia at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi.

From March 21-30, the great Italian stop will bring the international circuit standard to the elegant and fascinating atmosphere of its sumptuous venue, in the City of Bridges. Players from all over the world will cross the Ponte della Libertà in the hope of snaring the €1,500 + €150 WPT National Series trophy and the €3,000 + €300 WPT Main Event title, which will highlight this week-long series. Here is an overview of what’s awaiting you on the Adriatic coast, just before the opening of the great Venetian Carnival. Known also as the City of Lovers, Venice is definitely the city of poker lovers!

By Giovanni Stratti 48

march – april 2013

World Poker Tour Venice

World Poker Tour Venice List of Winners

how to get there By air: You can get to the city from the International Marco Polo Airport in various ways: by water taxi, by the Alilaguna motor boat, or with the “Venezia Air Terminal” bus.

By train: Direct overnight Thello trains leaving from Paris and direct trains from France Switzerland and Italy. You will arrive at the Santa Lucia Railway Station, located at the beginning of the Grand Canal.

It is easy to reach the city center on foot, down the Strada Nuova or by taking the water bus from one of the jetties opposite the station.

By car: The Ponte della Libertà bridge connects Venice to the mainland and ends at Piazzale Roma, the only part of the city where cars can enter. There are several indoor and outdoor car parks in Piazzale Roma.

A

Along with San Remo and its European Poker Tour stop, Venice is northern Italy’s biggest international poker event. Since 2009, the World Poker Tour main circuit has reached the Serenissima four times, and attracted hundreds of players to the Casino Di Venezia, the oldest gaming institution in the world.

WPT & Venice: a love story

In 2009, for its first edition, 396 players witnessed the victory of Swede Ragnar Astrom for €397,960, followed on Season 9 march – April 2013

2009 – Season 8 Field: 397 players Prize pool: €1,521,340 1st Ragnar Astrom (Sweden) €397,960 2nd Martin Jacobson (Sweden) €238,840 3rd Vincent Pasdeloup (France) €159,740 2010 – Season 9 Field: 523 players Prize pool: €1,502,290 1st Alessio Isaia (Italy) €380,000 2nd Szabolcs Mayer (Hungary) €221,090 3rd David Vamplew (Scotland) €147,970 2011 – Season 10 Field: 213 players Prize pool: €619,830 1st Edoardo Alescio (Italy) €175,000 2nd Steve O’Dwyer (US) €95,530 3rd Michele Caroli (Italy) €66,090 2012- Season 10 Field: 155 players Prize pool: €676,575 1st Rinat Bogdanov (Russia) €229,800 2nd A. Longobardi (Italy) €111,700 3rd Andrea Dato (Italy) €72,275 2012 WPT National Venice Field: 207 players Prize pool: €301,185 1st A. Ferraresi (Italy) €72,750 2nd Lita Cristinel (Romania) €51,000 3rd Stefano Accordini (Italy) €32,750

by Italian player Alessio Isaia, who kept the title on home soil for €380,000, after his heads-up against Hungarian Szabolcs Mayer. Last season, no less than two major events were also played in Venice: the WPT Venice in December, 2011, which was won by Edoardo Alescio for €175,000, and the WPT Venice Grand Prix in February, 2012, which saw Russian trader Rinat Bogdanov crowned, as he pocketed €229,800.

But the love story between the WPT and the City of Canals didn’t stop there, as the WPT National Series made its first stop last summer, with a successful €1,500 + €150 Main Event, played over four days, which attracted 207 players, all bested by Alessandro Ferraresi, for €72,750. 2013 and Season XI will improve this great collaboration, when both festivals join together, forming a unique and a very promising international poker rendezvous, starting March 21.

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hotels Hotel Carlton Capri

A few steps from the Casino of Venice, the Carlton Capri is one of the most popular three-star hotels in the City of Bridges. Enjoy the romantic view from your balcony or have an espresso in the charming décor of your room, decorated in the purest Venetian tradition, and after a great night of sleep you’ll be able to walk, or ride a gondola to the casino. Isn’t life grand? Special rates for WPT participants.

Address: Santa Croce 595 – 30135 Venice Tel: + 39 041 275 2300 Web: http://www.hotelcapri.net

Palace Bonvacchiati

200 meters from Saint Mark’s Square and the Rialto, the Palace Bonvecchiati is a modern, comfortable and luxurious four-star hotel. The modern interior design is gorgeous, and the hotel has its own wellness center and sauna. Become an elite traveler! Rooms from €150.

Address: Calle dei Fabbri – 4680 Venice Tel: +39 041 296 3111 Web: http://www.palacebonvecchiati.it

restaurants La Cupola

Italian cuisine is among the most delicious in the world, and you’ll be able to sample it in all its variety in the most elegant restaurant at la Cupola, located in the Hotel Carlton Capri. Delicious pasta and fresh seafood will be 50

served with an excellent choice of wines. Eat, play, live!

Address: Santa Croce 595 30135 Venice Tel: + 39 041 275 2200 Web: http://www.carltongrandcanal.com

Caffé Quadri

If you manage to win the competition, or even if you don’t, treat yourself to THE Venetian temple of fine dining. The upstairs restaurant has incredible views of the Campanile and the façade of the church, especially at night. And the food is to die for.

Address: Piazza San Marco 121 30124 Venice Tel. +39 041 522 2105 Email: info@caffequadri.it

night life The Devil’s Forest Pub

his amazing pub offers the outsider a chance to take in an authentic Venetian atmosphere and meet some locals. This is the ideal spot for relaxed socializing over a beer and games such as backgammon, chess, and Trivial Pursuit. A variety of simple Irish dishes are served.

Address: San Marco 5185, Venice

Bácaro Jazz

A happening cocktail bar serving great Bellinis with a tasty and cheap restaurant in the back, the Bácaro Jazz is a great place to go out at night listen to loud jazzy music and meet the locals.

Address: Across from the Rialto post office at San Marco 5546, Venice march – april 2013

World Poker Tour Venice

WPT Venice Festival Schedule

Mar 21/Thu • (10.00 pm): €200 + €20 Super Satellite to WPT National • (10.30 pm): €180 + €20 Turbo Satellite to WPT National Mar 22/Fri • (2.30 pm): €1,500 + €150 WPT National Day 1A (4-day Event, Re-Entry to Day 1B) • (10.00 pm): €200 + €20 Super Satellite to WPT National • (10.30 pm): €180 + €20 Last Chance Satellite to WPT National Mar 23/Sat • (2.30 pm): €1,500 + €150 WPT National Day 1B (4-day Event) • (6.00 pm): €270 + €30 Venice Festival Side Day 1 (2-day Event) • (9.00 pm): €100 + €20 Venice Turbo Mar 24/Sun • (6.00 pm): €300 + €30 Super Satellite to WPT Grand Prix • (10.00 pm): €130 + €20 Venice Deep Turbo Mar 25/Mon • (3.00 pm): €3,000 + €300 WPT Grand Prix Day 1A (5-day Event, Re-Entry to Day 1B)

An intense Season XI schedule

The 2013 Venetian Series will be huge. Tough competition will start on March 22, with the opening of the €1,500 + €150 WPT National Series (Re-Entry event, Day 1B on March 23), for four days of action and a final table due on March 26. Last year, 207 players generated a €301,185 prize pool, and there is no doubt that this second edition will be even bigger. Two €180 + €20 and two €200 + €20 Satellites to the WPT National will be held on March 21 and March 22, and the two-day €270 + €30 Venice Festival Side will liven up the tables on March 23 and 24.

Then, starting on March 25, players will focus on the €3,000 + €300 WPT Main Event, with its traditional re-entry option (Day 1B on March 26, two €300 + €30 Satellites on March 24 and March 25). All kinds of players, from young apprentices to the most seasoned pros, will compete during five days, hoping to win the biggest part of the prize pool, and the coveted WPT title (final table set on March 30). Several side events will be held during the Venetian festival, with buy-ins starting as low as €100 + €20, including some promising challenges, such as the two-day €920 + €80 Venice Super Event, on March 27, the €1,000 + €100 Venice Omaha, on the same day, and the two-day €6,500 + €500 High Roller starting March 28, which will highlight the end of this renowned stop, in the delightful Casino Di Venezia.

High-level action in the world’s oldest casino

Opened in 1638, the Casino Di Venezia is the oldest casino in the world, and is visited each year by over a million people. It has three main buildings: the Lido, Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, and Ca’ Noghera. In March, the action will take march – April 2013

• (6.00 pm): €300 + €30 Super Satellite to WPT Grand Prix • (10.00 pm): €250 + €50 + €30 Venice Super Bounty • (10.30 pm): €100 + €20 Venice Super Turbo Mar 26/Tue • ( 3.00 pm): €3,000 + €300 WPT Grand Prix Day 1B (5-day Event) • ( 7.00 pm): €230 + €20 Venice Freezeout • ( 10.00 pm): €100 + €20 Venice Super Turbo Mar 27/Wed • (4.30 pm): €920 + €80 Venice Super Event Day 1(2-day Event) • (7.00 pm): €650 + €50 Super Satellite to High Roller • (9.00 pm): €1,000 + €100 Venice Omaha • (10.00 pm): €80 + €50 + €20 Venice Knock Out Mar 28/Thu • (5.00 pm): €6,500 + €500 High Roller Day 1 (2-day Event) • ( 9.00 pm): €130 + €20 Venice Turbo Mar 29/Fri • ( 6.00 pm): €175 + €25 Final Countdown…

place at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, a luxurious, aristocratic Renaissance palazzo built in 1481. This sumptuous monument provides classic games such as Roulette Francese, Fair Roulette, Chemin de Fer, Black Jack, Caribbean Poker, Midi Trente et Quarante, and offers all kinds of entertainment including themed evenings and performances showcasing the Venetian tradition. Ca’ Vendramin Calergi is a mustsee: this Renaissance Age building overlooking the Grand Canal features an elegant and fascinating atmosphere, with precious paintings and Venetian chandeliers embellishing the prestigious rooms of this “sculpted cloud resting on water”, as Gabriele D’Annunzio described it a century ago.

The perfect moment to visit the Floating City

Spring is undoubtedly the best time of the year to visit Venice, as the weather is ideally warm and sunny. You will be able to enjoy the sights of “the most beautiful city built by man,” known for its wonderful architecture, such as the Piazza San Marco, the Doge’s Palace and the St Mark’s Basilica, but also for its fine artwork and Murano glass, not to mention cultural monuments such as the Palazzo Grassi Venezia and the Pinault Art Collection, its numerous fashion boutiques and traditional cafés and restaurants which emphasize a unique art de vivre. Walking on the Bridge of Sighs or crossing the Grand Canal on a Venetian gondola, you will enjoy the beauty of this Renaissance city, where time seems to have stopped centuries ago.

In March, 2013, the Queen of the Adriatic will be awaiting her new King of poker. Will you be the next Doge of the WPT Venice?

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Pokerstars and Monte Carlo®Casino European Poker Tour Grand Final

the greatest

From May 6-15, just before the International Film Festival in the neighboring city of Cannes, the Monte-Carlo Casino will be the beating heart of the world poker scene, when the eighth edition of the European Poker Tour Grand Final is held in the beautiful city-state of Monaco. After a year off in 2011, when the last episode of EPT Season 7 was held in Madrid, Monte-Carlo was again chosen by the Continent’s biggest circuit to host the wonderful 2012 edition, in which the best poker players on Earth competed for massive prize pools.

After six days of poker action in the €10,000 + €600 Main Event, American player Mohsin Charania bested his French opponent Lucille Cailly heads-up, taking home €1,350,000 and the Season 8 title. Who will be Season 9’s outstanding champion? Well, take your chances and come to the Mecca of luxury and gambling — it might well be you.

By Antoine Salvi

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Pokerstars and Monte Carlo®Casino European Poker Tour Grand Final

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The European Poker Tour Grand Final has, since its first edition in 2005, always been held in Monaco — well, except in 2011 when the Société des Bains de Mer and the European Poker Tour did not renew their partnership. For the first time ever, the gilt and glamour of this gorgeous seaside city-state were absent from the game. It was a huge disappointment, as Monaco is the very essence of gambling in Europe. Something was amiss. It was as if Las Vegas had been evicted from the WPT series. But after its detour in Madrid during Season 8, the Grand Final returned where it belongs, in the gorgeous Mediterranean principality of Monaco.

A successful comeback in 2012

The 2012 edition, rebranded with cosponsoring from Pokerstars and Monte Carlo®Casino, was a memorable occasion: the €10,000 + €600 Main Event attracted 665 players generating a €6,650,000 prize pool, most of which went straight into Mohsin Charania’s pocket, as the American player defeated Frenchwoman Lucille Cailly (€1,050,000) and Bernard Guigon (€545,000). In the traditional yet stunning €25,000 High Roller Event,

with 133 players vying for the title, there was a captivating heads-up between Igor Kurganov (€1,080,000) and Daniel Negreanu (€598,600); and the first event of the entire series was a €100,000 Super High Roller Event, won by Justin Bonomo for €1,640,000, after a tough final table against Bertrand Grospellier (3rd) and Tobias Reinkemeier (runner-up). No doubt about it, for top pro players the EPT Grand Final is an event not to be missed, and from May 6-15, Monte-Carlo will once again be the epicenter of the world poker scene.

Monaco, a paradise for gamblers

With a population of only 36,000 inhabitants and a total area of 1,98 sq km, this beautiful seaside country — one of the smallest in Europe — has five casinos, and a large number of palaces and private clubs, thus making it a pure concentrate of luxury and opulence, not to mention a paradise for gamblers. With over 1000 slot machines, the tiny state offers the largest collection in Europe! Speaking of records, Monaco has the highest number per capita of millionaires and billionaires in the world, so don’t be surprised if everything is upscale and everyone seems to be rolling in it. They are.

how to get there Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, the biggest international airport in Southern France, with over ten million passengers a year, is located 40 kilometers from Monaco. There, you can take a Rapide Côte d’Azur bus, a taxi, or the Nice Airport Express bus leaving for Monaco every half hour (€19 one way, €30 round trip). Heli’Air Monaco provides regular helicopter service between Nice Airport and Monaco. This is surely the easiest way to reach the principality, as the helicopter ground crew takes you and your luggage to the Nice heliport by van, and a car service then takes you directly to your hotel upon landing in Monaco. From the sky, the view of the French Riviera is amazing, and your seven-minute flight is bound to be an unforgettable experience. Rates from €120/person. march – April 2013

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With a population of only 36,000 inhabitants and a total area of 1,98 sq km, this beautiful seaside country — one of the smallest in Europe — has five casinos, and a large number of palaces and private clubs.

The Société des Bains de Mer has numerous options for hosting this season’s biggest EPT event, as it owns the five Monegasque casinos, each one more stunning than the other. This year again, the atmosphere will be trendy in the very modern Le Sporting, a 1600-square-meter complex that turns each summer into an amazing casino. It offers an exclusive selection of games, such as English Roulette, French Roulette, Chemin de Fer, Punto Banco, 30/40, Banque à Deux Tableaux, Craps, Black Jack and of course Poker.

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Forget all you know about luxury and come to the Monte-Carlo Bay Resort

Le Sporting is located in the huge Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort, also home to the gorgeous Bay Casino, equipped with 150 new-generation slot machines. Get prepared for a shock.

You don’t know what luxury is until you’ve seen the incredible setting of the Monte-Carlo Bay Resort. This spectacular, prestigious establishment is nestled on a dream-like island, offering 334 rooms to die for in a four-star hotel, ten acres of Mediterranean, tropical gardens, a magnificent lagoon with fine sand and waterfalls, an amazing spa, not to mention tennis courts, a golf course... and of course, an stunning view of the mountains and beaches of the nearby French Riviera.

The European Poker Tour Grand Final will be held from May 6-15, just before the 66th International Film Festival in the neighboring city of Cannes (May 15-26), and the 71st Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco, (May 23-26). It’s the perfect time of year to appreciate the city’s sophisticated and distinguished atmosphere, before the hot summer months, when spring is just warm enough to make the first bikinis blossom along the beach and around swimming pools.

A perfectly crafted program

Besides the six-day €10,000 + €600 Main Event, the threeday €25,500 High Roller event and the three-day €100,000 Super High Roller mega-tournament, which will highlight

march – april 2013

Pokerstars and Monte Carlo®Casino European Poker Tour Grand Final

EPT Monte-Carlo Grand Final List of Winners 2008 – Season 4 Field: 842 players Prize pool: €8,420,000 1st Glen Chorny (Canada) €2,020,000 2nd Denes Kalo (Hungary) €1,179,000 3rd Maxime Villemure (Canada) €715,000 2009 – Season 5 Field: 935 players Prize pool: €9,350,000 1st P. de Korver (Netherlands) €2,300,000 2nd Matthew Woodward (Us) €1,300,000 3rd Mikhail Tulchinskiy (Russia) €800,000 2010 – Season 6 Field: 848 players Prize pool: €8,480,000 1st Nicolas Chouity (Lebanon) €1,700,000 2nd Josef Klinger (Austria) €1,000,000 3rd D. Karmazinas (Lithuania) €700,000 2012 – Season 8 Field: 665 players Prize pool: €6,650,000 1st Mohsin Charania (US) €1,350,000 2nd Lucille Cailly (France) €1,050,000 3rd Bernard Guigon (France) €545,000 the weeklong series, the EPT Grand Final will provide a set of events perfectly calibrated for all kinds of games and budgets, with buy-ins ranging from €100 + €20 to €5,000 + €250. Several €330 No Limit Hold’em Turbo tournaments will punctuate daily action, including a €330 NLHE Ladies Event. Pot Limit Omaha fans will enjoy the two-day €5,000 + €250 PLO 8-Handed and the €1,000 + €100 PLO Turbo events, and NLHE players will have a wide range of choices, between the two-day €5,000 + €250 8-Handed event, the two-day €5,000 + €250 Heads-Up event, the two €2,000 + €100 events (including one 8-Max Bounty) and the several €1,000 + €100 NLHE events which will run during this exciting series. Last but not least, a €10,000 + €300 6-Handed Turbo High Roller tournament will close this wonderful series.

Everything is set for you to enjoy a perfect stay in Monaco, soaking up the exciting atmosphere of this incredible city, in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, during the biggest spring poker festival. With perfect weather, glamorous settings, stunning facilities and supremely well-structured poker events, Monte Carlo is a gaming paradise waiting just for you — so be sure to get over to the French Riviera by the second week of May, and play to make European circuit history! march – April 2013

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hotels Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort

This high-end complex is hosting the EPT, and has so much to offer that you could easily forget the outside world. Located on a private island, the gorgeous Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort, with its sophisticated thirties façade, features 334 rooms overlooking the bay. But what makes this four-star hotel even more special is its incredible facilities. A sandy-bottomed swimming pool with waterfalls, a spa, a golf course, tennis courts, four of the country’s finest restaurants, as well as a fantastic brand-new casino — be careful, you might never want to leave! Special rates for EPT participants Address: 40, avenue Princesse Grace 98000 Monaco Tel.: +377 98 06 02 00 www.montecarlobay.com

Hôtel de Paris

The Hôtel de Paris is the most prestigious establishment in Monaco. Built in 1864, this five-star hotel is the ultimate luxury experience in a country that embodies luxur y. This sumptuous Empire-st yle building offers three multi-awarded restaurants, one of the most beautiful spas in the world, and 182 rooms including 37 junior suites, 41 suites and two Diamond suites which are stunning beyond words: 200 square meters of beauty situated on the top floor of the hotel... At this level, it’s not even luxury anymore, it’s just magic.

Address: Place du Casino 98000 Monaco Tel.: +377 98 06 30 00 www.hoteldeparismontecarlo.com

Fairmont Monte-Carlo

restaurants The Blue Bay

This is the place to discover the taste of boldness. Michel Ravin, chef of the Blue Bay, lets his creativity take him far, far away from convention. Have you ever thought of combining sea bass and strawberries, or tamarind, sole and truffles? Only here will you be able to experience such exquisite and unforgettable innovations. €27 – €100 Address : 40 avenue Princesse Grace 98000 Monaco Tel. +377 98 06 03 60

Le Louis XV — Alain Ducasse

Well, of course, we could talk about this restaurant forever. But let’s start with three simple words: three Michelin stars. Yes, Alain Ducasse is one of France’s most prestigious chefs, and his establishments are always a paradise of culinary delights. Le Louis XV is one of them. All the Riviera’s traditional dishes — gnocchi, Mediterranean sea bass, breast of squab — are served here, but the fantastic touch of the Master makes them all deliciously overwhelming. €140 - €200 Address: Hotel de Paris, Place du Casino 98000 Monaco Tel.: +377 98 06 88 64

La Brasserie du Café de Paris

This is a famous meeting spot in Monaco, as the atmosphere is relaxed and lively, and reminiscent in its authentic charm of Parisian bistros. From the panoramic terrace you will be able to enjoy the beautiful lights of the South as you dip into French classics such as onion soup, croque-monsieur, or foie gras. The prices are quite affordable, the fare of high quality and the service always impeccable. €15 - €40 Address: Place du casino 98000 Monaco Tel. +377 98 06 76 23

Located in the heart of the principality of Monaco, between the Mediterranean Sea and the legendary Casino of Monte-Carlo, the Fairmont Monte-Carlo hotel is a unique four-star resort. For starters, it’s one of the largest hotels in Europe, with 602 guest rooms, residences and suites, two restaurants, a bar, and 18 meeting rooms. But it also boasts one the best views of the sea to be found, as well as a spa and an amazing brand-new rooftop pool.

Address : 12 avenue des Spélugues 98000 Monaco Tel. : +377 93 50 65 00 www.fairmont.com/monte-carlo

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Pokerstars and Monte Carlo®Casino European Poker Tour Grand Final

night life Saphir 24 Lounge & Bar

Open 24-7, the Saphir 24 Lounge & Bar is the beating heart of the Fairmont Monte-Carlo. The large window offers an amazing view of the Mediterranean Sea and the Italian coast. Family-friendly with its game room, the Saphir 24 is also the perfect place to relax after a long day of gambling. Here you can listen to live jazz music while enjoying one of the menu’s many tasty cocktails. By day or by night, this will surely end up being your headquarters.

Address: 12 avenue des Spélugues 98000 Monaco Tel.: +377 93 50 65 00

Stars’N’Bars

After a major facelift in early 2012, the Stars’N’Bars will be bigger, better and even more beautiful by the time you arrive in the French Riviera at the end of April. Situated in the heart of the port of Monaco, this three-story entertainment complex and its Americanstyle service personnel is a temple dedicated to sports, and features one of the largest sports collections in the world, including an actual Formula 1 car suspended over the bar. Here you can enjoy live sport events on the giant video screen and on the two-dozen plasma TVs, and dance in the nightclub on weekends. And if you see a familiar face, don’t be surprised, as celebrities are in their element at the Stars’N’Bar. Open until midnight, Monday to Wednesday, and 1 a.m. from Thursday to Sunday. The nightclub is open until 5.30 a.m., Friday and Saturday.

Address: 6 quai Antoine 1er 98000 Monaco Tel.: +377 97 97 95 95

Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo

Located inside the Sporting Monte-Carlo, the heart of Monegasque cultural life, Jimmy’z is the most famous nightclub in town (and has been since the 70s), welcoming local jetsetters and world celebrities such as Bono, Michael Schumacher, Naomi Campbell, George Clooney, Penelope Cruz, and Lionel Richie. Its Japanese garden and its bar — “La Pagode” — lend Jimmy’z a unique, magical atmosphere. Influenced by the British club and electro movement, Jimmy’z regularly hosts some of the world’s most famous DJs, with artists such as Bob Sinclar, Axwell, Martin Solveig and David Guetta providing wild sets until dawn. Open every day from 11.30pm.

Address: 26 avenue Princesse Grace 98000 Monaco Tel.: +377 98 06 70 68 march – April 2013

Grand Final €25,000 High Roller Event List of Winners 2009 – Season 5 Field: 79 players Prize pool: €1,975,000 1st Vanessa Rousso (Us) €956,000 2nd Randy Dorfman (Us) €434,000 3rd Tony G (Australia) €257,000 2010 – Season 6 Field: 113 players Prize pool: €2,825,000 1st T. Reinkemeier (Germany) €956,000 2nd Olivier Busquet (Us) €597,600 3rd Dori Yacoub (Lebanon) €358,500 2010 – Season 6 Field: 848 players Prize pool: €8,480,000 1st Nicolas Chouity (Lebanon) €1,700,000 2nd Josef Klinger (Austria) €1,000,000 3rd D. Karmazinas (Lithuania) €700,000 2012 – Season 8 Field: 133 players Prize pool: €3,325,000 1st Igor Kurganov (Russia) €1,080,000 2nd Daniel Negreanu (Canada) €598,600 3rd Philipp Gruissem (Germany) €366,000 2012 €100,000 Super High Roller Field: 45 players Prize pool: €4,432,500 1st Justin Bonomo (Us) €1,640,000 2nd T. Reinkemeier (Germany) €1,064,000 3rd B. Grospellier (France) €621,000 57

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World Poker Tour Barcelona

Last stop in Europe The World Poker Tour will close the European leg of its eleventh season with a great stop in the beautiful city of Barcelona and its gorgeous Gran Casino from April 5-10, with a very anxiously awaited €3,200 + €300 Main Event.

Indeed, after two years, the international circuit has returned here, so there is no doubt that crowds of players will flock to Spain in order to attempt to follow in the footsteps of Swede Lukas Berglund, who was crowned WPT champion in 2011 for €231,500. In the interim, the Gran Casino held some of the most popular European poker festivals, such as the European Poker Tour, the WPT National Series, the DeepStack Open, and the Circuito Nacional de Poker — all huge successes — while getting ready to once again host the American branded tour. This spring, the WPT is finally back in Barcelona, so if you want to join in the action and participate in this impressive event, the Catalonian capital is definitely where you’ll want to be!

By Alejandro Civico

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World Poker Tour Barcelona

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From April 5, the biggest poker city in Spain will be the meeting point for some of the best players on the world poker scene, as it will be hosting the sixth edition of the World Poker Tour — a great opportunity to play high-level poker in one of Western Europe’s most attractive cities.

Barcelona, pleasure for all the senses

Barcelona is one of a kind. Youthful, dynamic, beautiful, it has everything to please the eyes: fantastic architecture — with monuments from the Gothic period and Catalan art nouveau movement to ultra-modern, audacious buildings from the 90s — colorful streets full of life and history; and amazingly blue, ceaselessly sunny skies over the Mediterranean Sea. But the Ciutat Comtal also has a lot to offer the other senses.

Here, the food is world-class, with some of the greatest international chefs mixing the local art of tapas with the most innovative techniques — let us not forget that Spain is the birthplace of molecular cuisine! Fantastic meals can be had in luxurious establishments as well as little restaurants on the picturesque Ramblas, along with a wine to rival the best Italian and French vintages. Barcelona is a city to smell, see, hear, and taste; it’s also a great place to play poker, as it has one of the hippest and most up-to-date casinos in southern Europe.

A modern gambling paradise

Located in the heart of the modern complex of the Olympic Port, the seaside Gran Casino Barcelona is one of Europe’s leading casinos, and attracts throngs of players each summer. It is the perfect place to spend time at the poker tables: having hosted for almost a decade some of the biggest tournaments in Europe (EPT, WPT, Unibet Open, DeepStack Open, Circuito Nacional de Poker and Estrellas Poker Tour), it provides a large number of leisure activities, including Roulette, Black-Jack, La Boule, Baccarat and Mini-Baccarat, as well as several poker cash-game tables.

In short, everything a great casino should have is here on offer. And with its four local and international restaurants, its two bars, its café and its nightclub, there’s no doubt that the Casino Barcelona will be your headquarters during your stay in Spain.

Welcome back, WPT!

Barcelona has been part of the WPT circuit since 2007, when 226 players entered the €7,500 + €300 Main Event.

German Markus Lehmann won that first title and that first cash prize, €562,000, after besting Frenchman Ludovic Lacay. Since then, year after year, hundreds of players have generated million-euro prize pools, while the WPT Main Event buy-in has been slowly decreasing, reaching €3,200 + €300 in 2010. However, in 2012, WPT and Casino Barcelona decided to turn the Spanish rendezvous into a WPT National Series, with a €1,500 + €150 Main Event.

This series attracted 267 participants from all over the world, but in the end, winner Sergio Espina kept the title march – April 2013

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 half-hour, and the Aerobús leaves for the Plaza de Catalunya every 15 minutes.

Bus N17 operates all night. A taxi ride to the city center costs approximately 25€.

By train: La Estacion de Sants has rail connections to French cities Montpellier and Paris daily, Zurich four times a week and Milan three times.

By car: From France, take Highway AP-7 to Barcelona-La Jonquera.

on Spanish soil, for €88,500. This year, the WPT will consist of a traditional €3,200 + €300 Main Event, with a re-entry option and two Day 1, for a four-day tournament. The full program hasn’t been officially announced yet, but we can expect several side events with buy-ins starting from €300 + €30, such as a €300 + €30 Pot Limit Hold’em/Omaha event, a €500 + €50 Omaha tournament, a €800 + €80 NLHE event, and a €1,000 + €100 NLHE. More information to come on www.worldpokertour.com and www.casinobarcelona.com.

Structures shaped by the WPT, attractive buy-ins, an experienced floor and international field, lovely settings; everything you’ll need to have the greatest possible poker experience in Barcelona this spring!

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hotels Barceló Atenea Mar

The four-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 features direct access to the beach at Nova Mar Bella.

Its modern, elegant rooms and fantastic facilities — including a fitness center, Jacuzzi and massage service — will have you nicely rested and ready to hit the poker tables.

Address: Paseo Garcia Faria 37-47 08019 Barcelona Tel: +34 93 531 6040 Email: ateneamar@barcelo.com

Hotel Arts

When playing at the Casino de Barcelona, you won’t need to look far to find the most prestigious hotel in town: the Hotel Arts is right next door. The building itself is a treasure of contemporary architecture, with 44 stories of blue glass and exposed steel soaring high above the seafront. Its 483 elegant apartments, suites and bedrooms all have fantastic bathrooms and stateof-the-art entertainment; some even offer a stunning fireplace. This is definitely the place to relax in perfect luxury. Special rates for EPT participants.

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Address: Marina 19–21 – 08005 Barcelona Tel: +34 93 221 1000 www.hotelartsbarcelona.com

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 five-star hotel has stunning views on the sea and the city, and its 473 rooms are all equipped with a telescope. The décor is 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 Tel: +34 93 295 2800 www.whotels.com/barcelona

restaurants Dos Palillos

The most inspired fusion of Asian cuisine and Spanish tapas you’re likely to find is here brought to you by chef Albert Raurich, ex-head chef at the mythical El Bulli. Gorgeous Japanese burgers, sweet cherry tomato tempura, shrimp and foie gras shiu mai will make you come back for more. And the wine selection is fantastic.

Degustation menus €55 and €75, lunchtime menu €20 march – april 2013

World Poker Tour Barcelona Address: 9 C/ Elisabets – 08001 Barcelona Tel: +34 93 304 0513 www.dospalillos.com

Enoteca

Discover t he hea r t a nd soul of contemporar y Mediterranean cuisine at the hotel Arts’ Michelinstarred flagship restaurant: inspired by the food and produce of the region, its innovative cuisine brings out the best in Spanish products, with an emphasis on fish and seafood. The cellar features more than 500 wines.

Tasting menu €65 Address: Hotel Arts Barcelona Marina 19–21 – 08005 Barcelona Tel: +34 93 483 81 08 www.hotelartsbarcelona.com/en/Dining/Enoteca

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 Catalonia, France and the Far-East. Be prepared for a meal full of surprises.

Testing menu of tapas €50 Address: Hotel Arts Barcelona Marina 19–21 – 08005 Barcelona Tel: +34 93 483 8090 www.hotelartsbarcelona.com/en/Dining/Arola

night life Opium Mar

Close to the Hotel Arts, this trendy establishment is one of Barcelona’s hippest hangouts for dancing and drinking, with world-class DJs rocking the biggest seafront terrace in town. The club has a license until 6 a.m.

Address: 25 Paseo Marítimo de la Barceloneta 08003 Barcelona Tel: +34 90 226 7486 www.opiummar.com

WPT Barcelona List of Winners 2008 Field: 243 players Prize pool: €1,278,396 1st Casper Hansen (Austria) €425,000 2nd Stefan Matsson (Sweden) €220,000 3rd Thiago Nishijima (Brazil) €112,300 2009 Field: 172 players Prize pool: €860,000 1st Mark Flowers (Us) €277,000 2nd Per Sjogren (Sweden) €143,000 3rd Dan Pedersen (Austria) €84,000 2010 Field: 326 players Prize pool: €1,043,200 1st Ali Tekintamgac (Germany) €278,000 2nd R. Garcia Santiago (Spain) €139,000 3rd Mats Iremark (Sweden) €139,000 2011 Field: 216 players Prize pool: €691,200 1st Lukas Berglund (Sweden) €231,500 2nd Romain Matteoli (France) €118,000 3rd F. Bussit Fuentes (France) €64,000 2012 WPT National Series Field: 267 players Prize pool: €400,500 1st Sergio Espina (Spain) €88,500 2nd Mikolaj Zawadzki (Poland) €62,000 3rd Patrick Azzouzi (France) €40,000

Marmalade

One of Raval’s most sophisticated stops, Marmalade offers an elegant but unpretentious ambiance that appeals to a diverse crowd. Designer cocktails are served in a stunning contemporary décor, and the splendid matte-black billiard table is a great place to socialize with locals.

Address: 4-6 Riera Alta 08001 Barcelona Tel: +34 93 442 3966 www.marmaladebarcelona.com march – April 2013

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WPT National Annecy

Poker by the lake

For the very first time, the World Poker Tour National series will stop in Annecy from May 16-20. The astonishing beauty of this historic French city has always attracted the rich and famous, filling it with casinos, superb palaces and high-end restaurants. It’s now time to go to Annecy for poker, joining an event planned by the legendary WPT and the Impérial Palace Hotel & Casino in this idyllic lakeside city, in the very heart of the Alps. Don’t miss this inaugural stop!

By Julien Morello

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WPT National Annecy

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If Annecy is not the most famous French resort, it’s because it remains one of the country’s best-kept secrets. This sumptuous city has everything to attract the wealthy, famous and fun-loving: the second-largest lake in France, in the middle of the Alps, a stunning view of water and snowy mountaintops; the city was built in the Middle Ages around the lake, with old canals reminiscent of Venice; it’s a great place for culture, with architectural treasures such as its castle, or its excellent International Animated Film Festival. For more than a century, it has developed an aura of real luxury, with high-end restaurants, hotels and casinos. All that was lacking was a WPT stop, in order to give us the opportunity to hit the poker tables with a lungful of fresh of Annecy air!

100th anniversary

This year is a double celebration: the Impérial Palace will host its first WPT event, while also celebrating its 100th anniversary. Indeed, the Impérial Palace was built in 1913, around the same time as the most beautiful palaces on the French Riviera — which explains the resemblance in style.

For this huge occasion, the Impérial Palace will stretch beyond its four stars to offer you the most incredible stay and the best poker experience ever. You’ll also be able to enjoy the brand-new slot machines (which the casino inaugurated in December, 2012), play Black Jack and roulette, and indulge in the finest luxury this fabulous complex can provide its privileged customers.

march – April 2013

how to get there By air: From Annecy’s small airport north of the city in Meythet, Air France operates daily flights from Paris’ Orly Ouest (€220, 1 hour and 15 minutes). You can also fly to Geneva’s International airport, just 40 kilometers from Annecy, with all major airlines.

By train: There are frequent trains from Aix-lesBains (€6.50, 30 minutes), Chambéry (€8.20, 50 minutes), St-Gervais (€18.40, 3 hours and 15 minutes), Lyon (€20.50, 2 hours and 15 minutes) and Paris’ Gare de Lyon (€109, 3 hours and 45 minutes).

You can get connections in Paris from Eurostar coming from London, and from Thalys coming from the Netherlands or Belgium.

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tournament Open de France, a brand-new successful series

The Casino d’Annecy is home to a brand-new series, the Open de France, which has been held twice so far — in September, 2012 and January, 2013. The €500 + €60 Main Event was a great success each time, attracting 207 and 350 players respectively. Frenchman Alain Manquant won the first session, for €22,356, while his countryman Karl Damon won the last tournament, to the tune of €35,000.

As the popular Open de France shows, local players from France and Switzerland are hungry for poker action; also, aiming to provide its members the best possible poker experience, the Imperial Palace Casino has improved its poker offer with a new program.

Great poker program at the Impérial Palace Casino

Starting March 5, Annecy’s casino will provide a new schedule of cash game tables and weekly tournaments.

Each day beginning at 8:30 p.m., players will find a €1/€2 table (€50 min—€500 max) on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, a €2/€4 table (€100 min—€1,00 max) every Thursday, and two €5/€5 tables on Friday and Saturday. For high stakes lovers, the Casino plans to open two tables on reservation with free dinner; the first one is a €10/€20 cash game with a €40 option (€1,000 min—€10,000 max), the second is a €5/€10 cash game with a €20 option (€500 min—€5,000 max). Besides daily cash games, the Casino will also be holding six weekly tournaments, with buy-ins ranging from €30 + €0 to €200 + €0, and tickets and cash prize at stack.

Among them, the €200 + €0 100% Saturday will give players a chance to get tickets to the WPT National Series Main Event every Friday at 8:00 p.m.

WPT National Series and ACFPoker Tour, May 16-20

This spring, for the first time in its history, the Impérial Palace will welcome an international poker festival, the WPT National Series. The €1,500 + €150 Main Event will start on May 16, with its traditional re-entry option,

which allows to players who busted on Day 1A to re-enter during Day 1B (May 17). Then, the competition will run until the last player left standing, after four days of poker action, with a final table on May 20.

In the meantime, the ACFPoker Tour will make a stop in Annecy for the sixth leg of its second season, with a thrilling two-day €675 + €75 tournament which is sure to attract players from all over Europe. Besides these two huge events, several side events will take place during the Annecy series, such as €180 + €20 Satellites to the Main Event, a €300 + €30 Bounty event, and a €225 + €25 Satellite to the next WPT event.

So come next May, prepare to become a jetsetter and join in the fun! This first WPT stop in Annecy will be the perfect opportunity to make history, as you could be the event’s very first winner. The poker scene is definitely going to converge on the beautiful city by the lake in the coming years; here is your chance to mark your territory!

More information to come at www.annecy-poker.com/wpt.

WPT national Annecy Schedule May 16/Thu •€ 1,500 + €150 WPT National Day 1A (four-day Event, Re-Entry to Day 1B) May 17/Fri •€ 1,500 + €150 WPT National Day 1B (four-day Event) May 18/ Sat • €675 + €75 ACFPoker Tour Day 1 (two-day Event)

Imperial Palace Casino Regular tournaments schedule (8:00 p.m.)

Monday •€ 30 + €0 Duty Free Tuesday • €75 + €5 Only Cash Wednesday •€ 90 + €10 Le Classico Thursday •€ 45 + €5 Little Big Friday •€ 200 + €0 100% Sat Sunday •€ 40 + €0 Le 74

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march – april 2013

WPT National Annecy

€500 + €60 Open de France List of Winners 2012 Field: 207 players Prize pool: €99,360 1st Alain Manquant (France) €22,356 2nd Jean Tativian (France) €16,891 2013 Field: 350 players Prize pool: €168,000 1st Karl Damon (France) €35,000 2nd Tarik Bouabdellah (France) €25,000 3rd Cyrille Reymond (France) €16,000

hotels

Impérial Palace Hotel & Casino Annecy

The four-star hotel hosting this WPT stop is simply the most magical establishment in town: 99 rooms and suites offering grandiose views of the hotel’s sumptuous private park, and the jagged, monumental mountains of the Alps. With the classy, straightforward design and free minibar, you might not want to leave your room! But please do, otherwise you’ll miss an incredible 600-square-meter spa complete with Turkish bath, sauna and swimming pool, three amazing restaurants — and of course, the WPT! Address: Allée de l’Impérial 74000 Annecy Tel: +334 50 09 30 00 www.hotel-imperial-palace.com

restaurants

No less than three fantastic restaurants are located in the vast Impérial Hotel & Casino complex. First, you have La Voile, which serves typical cuisine savoyarde with a modern, international twist. It has been awarded three spoons by the Michelin Guide, but is still very affordable. You can also try La Brasserie du Parc, which is more casual, and specializes in hearty French food served in a vast space opening onto an amazing terrace. Last but not least, the casino restaurant, La Rotonde Autour du Monde will take you to on a journey from one culinary continent to another, with Chinese, Thai, American, and German fare, along with a huge selection of cocktails. march – April 2013

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tournament

DeepStack Open Tangier

Spring poker series in Casino Malabata For the first time in its history, from May 8 -12, the seaside Casino Malabata of Tangier will host a leg of one of the most popular poker circuits in Europe, the DeepStack Open. Thanks to its well-organized and affordable 3-day €500 + €50 Main Event, the DeepStack Open regularly draws scores of players from North Africa, Spain, and France who compete for tantalizing prize pools.

The luxurious Moroccan casino and its majestic 5-star Mövenpick Hotel will undoubtedly prove to be the perfect location for this intense and exciting poker festival.

By Steven Lake

66

march – april 2013

DeepStack Open Tangier

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DeepStack Open has always loved Morocco. In 2010, the then brand-new international poker circuit stopped at the Casino de Marrakech and held an impressive tournament won by Swede Hendrik Grandlund, who triumphed over 420 opponents, for €39,897. This first edition was such a hit that DSO decided to stop twice the following year, when Spaniard Carlos Casaprima dominated 249 players in June for €31,786 and Frenchman Clément Bonin bested 225 participants in December for €24,416. In 2012, the tour stayed in Europe, and each stop was a sensation, with 582 players in Paris, 545 in Cannes, 326 in Vienna and 347 in Barcelona, the great final stop. And now for its fourth season, DSO has chosen to return from May 8-12 to Morocco and the Casino Malabata de Tangier situated in the north of the country, for a great poker experience in a fresh, new destination.

A perfect setting for an international poker event

Blessed with a great climate, Tangier is a true gem of Morocco: the commanding Atlas mountains give it a stunning backdrop; the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean offer beautiful horizons, and the great Casino Malabata hosts international poker events with perfection and flair. This beautiful complex is ideally located on the seashore, and boasts great activities both indoors and out. Those who value their surroundings will be sure to enjoy the stunning landscape — mountaintops and waves and an ever-shining sun; gorgeous gardens and a great swimming pool. For those who prefer entertainment of the indoor variety, casino equipment is thoroughly modern, with 30 live game tables, English roulette, Black Jack, Punto Banco, and all kinds of poker games. Daily €5/€10 and €10/€20 NLHE cash game tables, as well as PLO cash game tables are on offer three days a week. During live tournaments, the Casino opens tables with higher limits, and games continue until 8.00 a.m. on weekdays; they run around the clock on weekends. This huge venue also provides private rooms for those who prefer to play “far from the maddening crowd.” march – April 2013

how to get there By air: There are regular direct flights to Tangier from Paris, Madrid, London, Brussels, Barcelona and Amsterdam, on Royal Air Maroc and Iberia. Low cost airlines also offer flights from cities such as Marseille, Milan, and Cologne. Connections from Casablanca airport can be made daily.

By sea: Daily ferry service from the Spanish ports of Tarifa (35 minutes) and Algeciras (45 minutes).

Ferry service is also available between Gibraltar and Tangier.

The new DeepStack Open rendezvous

Casino Malabata is the home of the Tangier Poker Festival, the first Moroccan poker series to guarantee a prize pool of 1 Million Dirhams (€90,000) for an affordable €700 buy-in.

Held every three months, this tournament welcomes massive fields of players from North Africa and Europe, with huge contingents of French, Spanish and Romanian participants looking for an intense tournament in a perfect atmosphere.

The first edition of the DeepStack Open of Tangier, from May 8-12, will probably be the greatest series ever organized in the Casino, with newcomers joining a huge field of regulars.

The €500 + €50 DSO Tangier Main Event will start on May 9 (Day 1B on the 10th), and players will enjoy the comfortable DSO structure during three days, for a final table set for May 12. Besides the Main Event and its €50 + €15 Satellite on the 8th, the DeepStack Open will consist of a €1,000 Big Event on May 11, and a €200 Side Event on May 12.

For this special occasion, Casino Malabata will offer a buffet supper to all DeepStack Open participants, as well as a free shuttle to and from Tangier airport (a 20-minute journey).

The casino will also provide special €750 packages for the DSO (buy-in of the Main Event included), including a room at the 5-Star Mövenpick Hotel, dinner and drinks, as well as access to the fitness room, spa and swimming pool.

More information to come at www.deepstackopen.com.

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tournament

hotel

restaurants

The majestic Mövenpick Hotel & Casino Malabata Tangier, set amidst beautiful gardens, boasts a huge Mediterranean seaside swimming pool overlooking the beautiful Bay of Tangier. Only five minutes from the city center, yet far away enough to guarantee a calm and relaxing environment, it features large rooms, several different-sized meeting rooms, a casino, three restaurants and bars, and a wellequipped and spacious gym. Rooms from €90 Address: Route De Malabata Baie De Tanger – 90000 Tangier Tel: 212 (0) 5 39 32 99 20 Mail: hotel.tangier.casino@moevenpick.com

Allegria & Le Talisman

Mövenpick Hotel & Casino Malabata

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Le Matisse

The casino’s excellent restaurant serves Tangier’s finest Mediterranean cuisine and fresh fish dishes, thus providing an eclectic international menu. Roasted Atlantic sea bass, fried chicken with squid and creamy polenta, or the great choice of French cheese are all to die for!

Main courses €8 - €15.

The casino’s two snack bars are always ready to serve all manner of drinks and light meals. Whether you need a bottle of Dom Pérignon to celebrate a victory, a nice wine from France or Morocco or a delicious sandwich after a long game, the snack bars’ personnel will be on hand to satisfy your every wish.

march – april 2013

DeepStack Open Tangier

DSO Tangier Schedule May 8/Wed • (7.00 pm): €50 + €15 Satellite to Main Event May 9/Thu • (1.00 pm): €500 + €50 Main Event Day 1A (3-day Event) May 10/Fri • (1.00 pm): €500 + €50 Main Event Day 1B (3-day Event) May 11/Sat • (6.00 pm): €1,000 Big Event May 12/Sun • (3.00 pm): €200 NLHE

DeepStack Open next stops Lloret Del Mar • May 27-30 Tuesday • €75 + €5 Only Cash Gujan Mestras • August 29 – September 1 Gruissan • October 31-November 3

march – April 2013

DeepStack Open 2012 List of Winners Cannes Field: 545 players Prize pool: €261,600 1st Romain Salguero (France) €33,000 2nd Fabien Hulin (France) €24,000 3rd Philippe Duffaud (France) €18,000 Ibiza Field: 140 players Prize pool: €67,200 1st Sajid Mecit (France) €12,600 2nd Douglas Salvans (Spain) €9,000 3rd Jonathan Olsson (Sweden) €7,500 Paris Field: 582 players Prize pool: €288,858 1st C. Uldaric-Nauche (France) €55,000 2nd Nadim Medlege (Lebanon) €37,000 3rd Tarek Bouchama (France) €27,000 Vienna Field: 326 players Prize pool: €163,000 1st M. Stausholm (Denmark) €34,850 2nd Benjamin Spiehs (Austria) €20,970 3rd Rafi Elarrar (Israel) €14,320 Barcelona Field: 346 players Prize pool: €173,000 1st Josep Lopez (Spain) €30,000 2nd Marc Mariano (France) €25,000 3rd Khazret Nabezhev (Russia) €13,000 Barcelona €1,100 High Roller Event Field: 24 players Prize pool: €24,000 1st Christophe Pereira (France) €10,800 2nd Isael Clemente (Portugal) €6,600 3rd M. Blanco Jimenez (Bolivia) €4,200 69

tournament

WPT National Series & Deepstack Open Cannes

Double poker challenge in Cannes

This spring, Cannes will set a gorgeous stage for two major poker events: first, the DeepStack Open from March 21-24, then the legendary World Poker Tour National Series from April 8-15. These two prestigious series will be hosted by the Lucien Barrière Casino’s sumptuous seaside complex. If you want to join the happy few and take part in a major series in Cannes this year, this is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss, as the map of poker events is changing fast, and fewer and fewer competitions will make stops in this beautiful Mediterranean coastal city. So make the best of the DSO and the WPT National in Cannes — the greatest series the South of France will be seeing this year!

By Julien Morello

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march – april 2013

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WPT National Series & Deepstack Open Cannes

Cannes has always been one of the greatest spots in the world for gambling. Blessed by sumptuous natural landscapes, a culture of luxury and some of the most beautiful casinos in the world, it was for years a stop a poker series could not afford to miss: you had to play in Cannes at some point. But things are changing fast. The number of competitions stopping on the French Riviera is decreasing, as the Partouche Poker Tour came to an end last year, and the World Series of Poker Europe is relocating to Enghienles-Bains, close to Paris. You’ll have fewer opportunities to play in the beautiful city of Cannes in 2013, but what opportunities! Indeed the WPT National Series and the DSO will provide all the excitement you could wish for, combining a great schedule and myriad poker stars in a fantastic venue.

Excellence, high quality service and French art de vivre

Since 1951, Lucien Barrière has been the leader of the casino market in France and Switzerland, with 39 casinos, 17 luxury hotels, 135 restaurants and bars, 2,740 shows and events per year, and over 7,300 employees. Establishments represented by the Lucien Barrière Hôtel & Casinos brand have developed a range of unrivaled leisure offers focusing on excellence, high-quality service and French art de vivre, and its legendary facility in Cannes will be the perfect setting for two amazing weeks of poker. The first days of the tournament will take place in the Hotel Majestic*****, one of the finest palaces on the French Riviera, and the following days will be held in the Croisette Casino, located inside the mythical Palais des Festivals. And last but not least, players will receive special room rates for their stay in Cannes, courtesy of the Majestic and the Gray d’Albion Hotels.

Cannes, the DeepStack Open rendezvous

This season’s first international series will be the DeepStack Open, from March 20-24. This very popular deepstack festival and its €500 + €50 Main Event has come to Cannes twice in the past seasons, and has always been a hit, with 536 players in 2011, and 545 in 2012, setting a new tour history record. Italian contestant Luca Colangelo was the first champion, pocketing €27,000, and Frenchman Romain Salguero dominated last year’s tournament, taking home €33,000. This year, the €500 + €50 Main Event will start on March 21 (Day 1B on March 22), featuring three days of competition, with a final table set on March 24. A €50 + €15 Satellite to the Main Event will be held on March 20, and two side events will run on March 23 and March 24: a €1,000 Big Event, and a €200 tournament. There is no doubt that the third edition of the DeepStack Open Cannes will be a massive success.

World Poker Tour National Series and ACFPoker Tour

Then from April 11, the WPT National Series will hold its second edition in the South of France, after a great inaumarch – April 2013

how to get there By air: Nice’s Côte d’Azur International Airport, served by all major international airlines, as well as low-cost companies, is only 40 kilometers from Cannes. From there, you can get to Cannes by coach, express coach, bus or taxi.

By train: Cannes is a stop on the major TGV Méditerranée line (fast trains), which makes it very accessible from everywhere in France. It is only five hours from Paris, and, thanks to Eurostar, seven hours from London. From Brussels, you can hop on a Thalys train and reach Cannes in about eight hours; from Amsterdam, Hispeed trains will take you there in nine hours, including a change in Brussels. From Italy, getting to Cannes is even easier and quicker, as the Italian border is just 70 kilometers away!

gural session collected 338 entries for a €428,720 prize pool. French pro Bruno Lopes bested his countryman Louis Gorotis, and snared the first title and the €100,500 first prize. This year again, the €1,500 + €160 Main Event will offer two Day 1 with re-entry options on April 11 and April 12, and a total of four days of competition. Meanwhile, Cannes will host the fifth leg of the ACFPoker Tour season 2, for a new €675 + €75 two-day event scheduled for April 13 and April 14. Last year, 128 players converged on the Croisette Casino for the first edition, and Frenchman Cyprien Berger was crowned champion, pocketing the €19,500 first prize. Several €300 + €30 will also be played during this WPT National festival.

High-level action and luxurious settings will make the WPTN and the DSO more glamorous and exciting than ever. The sunny and warm French Riviera will once again attract some of the best players in Europe, gathering to play in a stunning décor. Don’t miss this perfect poker vacation!

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hotels Hotel Majestic

Ideally located on the Croisette, facing the sea and the Palais des Festivals, the mythical Cannes palace has just been entirely renovated and refurbished by French designer Christian Dior. This five-star hotel is one of the Leading Hotels of the World, and is renowned for its exquisite taste and refinement.

10 Boulevard de la Croisette Tel: +33 970 820 900 Mail: majestic@cannesbarriere.com

Hotel Gray d’Albion

This four-star Lucien Barrière Hotel features 191 rooms and eight suites, decorated in a highly modern, contemporary style combining comfort and attention to detail. A few meters from the sea, the Gray d’Albion is the perfect option if you are looking for discretion.

38 Rue des Serbes Tel: +33 970 808 788 Mail: graydalbion@cannebarriere.com

restaurants La Petite Maison de Nicole

La Petite Maison, in Nice, has been the leader in southern French cuisine for over twenty years. In April, 2010, it has opened a brand new restaurant at the Hotel Majestic.

Serving traditional local cuisine, it has already become a favored destination for stars the world over who are anxious to feast on Provençal delicacies. €55-100 10 boulevard de la Croisette Tél : +33 492 98 77 89 Mail: petitemaisondenicole@cannesbarriere.com

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Chez Vincent & Nicolas

Crowded with young people, this friendly restaurant, situated close to the old port, is both trendy and charming. Food here is modern with a French touch, like the foie gras hamburger or the raspberry millefeuille. You can sit in the stone-vaulted dining room or opt for the terrace, for a cozy yet hip evening. €45-50 92 Rue Meynadier Tel: +334 93 68 35 39

night life Bar Galerie du Fouquet’s

Inside the Hôtel Majestic Barrière, this modern, chic bar is a clever combination of authentic luxury with a genuine lounge vibe. Comfortably seated in traditional armchairs or on high bar stools, you will be able to enjoy hot beverages, champagnes and a wide range of cocktails. Not to be missed!

9:00am – midnight (weekdays), 9:00am – 1:00am (Fridays & Saturdays)

Da Da Da

A hybrid club blending cabaret, theatre, disco, midnight movies and more, this nonconformist spot is trendy and attractive, contemporary and offbeat — the perfect place to discover an irreverent, independent art scene on the Riviera.

15 Rue Frères Pradignac 9:30pm – 2:30am

march – april 2013

WPT National Series & Deepstack Open Cannes

WPT National Cannes Schedule April 11/Thu • €1,500 + €150 WPT National Day 1A (4-day Event, Re-Entry to Day 1B) April 12/Fri • €1,500 + €150 WPT National Day 1B (4-day Event) April 13/Sat • €675 + €75 ACFPoker Tour Day 1 (2-day Event)

DeepStack Open Cannes Schedule March 20/Wed • (7.00 pm): €50 + €15 Satellite to Main Event March 21/Thu • (1.00 pm): €500 + €50 Main Event Day 1A (3-day Event) March 22/Fri • (1.00 pm): €500 + €50 Main Event Day 1B (3-day Event) March 23/Sat • (6.00 pm): €1,000 Big Event March 24/Sun • (3.00 pm): €200 Side Event march – April 2013

List of Winners WPT National Series Cannes 2012 Field: 338 players Prize pool: €428,720 1st Bruno Lopes (France) €100,500 2nd Louis Gorostis (France) €70,500 3rd Yannick Massa (France) €45,500 ACFPoker Tour Field: 128 players Prize pool: N/A 1st Cyprien Berger (France) €19,500 2nd Lakhdar Benamara (France) €13,000 3rd Alexis Nikolai (France) €10,000 DeepStack Open Cannes Field: 545 players Prize pool: €261,600 1st Romain Salguero (France) €33,000 2nd Fabien Hulin (France) €24,000 3rd Philippe Duffaud (France) €18,000 73

from 1 Jan to 28 FEB 2013 st

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The Bulgarian player Dimitar Danchev began 2013 with mind-blowing results: few ITMs and the win at PCA in Bahamas. The previous runner-up of EPT San Remo in 2011 signs his best year in 2013, far above French amateur Remi Castaignon, who just won EPT Deauville. Sam Trickett is not included in this ranking, which excludes this year super-high rollers, and only includes tournaments inferior to $25,000. Eastern countries’ players seem to be the future of European poker, as Russia player Vladimir Troyanovskiy takes the third place, whereas his fellow mate Andrey Shatilov is seventh. The big events in March and April should change it all...

Dimitar Danchev

Ranking

74

Remi Castaignon

Country

Vladimir Troyanovskiy

Player

Winnings (USD)

Ranking

Country

Player

Winnings (USD)

1

Dimitar Danchev

1,862,601

16

Alexej Lakhov

168,688

2

Remi Castaignon

1,050,220

17

Joao Nogueira

165,900

3

Vladimir Troyanovskiy

792,180

18

Adrian Mateos Diaz

148,363

4

Patrik Antonius

633,419

19

Andrew King

134,521

5

Roberto Romeo

375,078

20

Tobias Reinkemeier

129,940

6

Ole Schemion

354,860

21

Bo Erichsen

128,262

7

Andrey Shatilov

325,000

22

Vincent Verdickt

122,414

8

Enrico Rudelitz

293,243

23

Mikal Blomlie

120,000

9

Rupert Elder

263,925

24

Noel Gaens

119,752

10

Jonas Lauck

243,900

25

Richard Milne

118,685

11

Martin Finger

228,892

26

Guido Garnies

117,674

12

Franck Kalfon

225,047

27

Jose Alvarez Alvarez

109,016

13

Andoni Larrabe Sanchez

218,710

28

Sergey Nadtochiy

104,242

14

Jon Spinks

192,586

29

Javier Etayo Fernandez

103,685

15

Yunoz Tuguz

180,368

30

Zoltan Purak

103,153

march – april 2013

Ranking

Country

Player

Winnings (USD)

31

Kiryl Radzivonau

103,153

66

Anthony Borde

56,000

32

Vladislav Donchev

99,862

67

Martin Mulsow

55,989

33

Laurent Polito

98,034

68

Jose Quintas

55,920

34

George Clyde-Smith

97,313

69

Mihai Taizs

55,847

35

Rachid Ben Cherif

95,000

70

Christopher Robin Frank

55,720

36

Oliva Jakub

90,914

71

Jean Yves Chicheportiche

54,884

37

Simon Deadman

89,074

72

Pedro Oliva Martinez

54,551

38

Jan Bendik

87,182

73

James Mitchell

53,193

39

Jouni Tapani Kallio

87,164

73

Cyril André

53,193

40

Mohamed Razab

81,500

75

Alexander Roumeliotis

53,136

41

Ronan Monfort

80,712

76

Yngve Steen

52,557

42

Mickey Petersen

79,960

77

Christian Rolle

48,913

43

Max Silver

75,980

78

Martin Baumgartner

47,176

44

Fabio Coppola

75,609

79

Paul Kuzmich

47,000

45

Manig Loeser

74,245

79

Eugene Katchalov

47,000

46

Sharifullin Radif

72,630

79

Maxim Panyak

47,000

47

Nikolaus Teichert

72,480

82

Samuli Sipila

46,701

48

Roman Korenev

71,565

83

Ivan Sheptytskyi

46,602

49

Dany Parlafes

69,165

84

Patrice Bornicke

45,724

50

Mike Brandau

69,128

85

Jerome Dumayet

45,426

51

Yury Gulyy

68,826

86

Suat Uyanik

44,930

52

Marian Mitran

68,406

87

Mihai Manole

44,227

53

Stephane Benadiba

67,923

88

David Vamplew

43,955

54

Irakli Chachanidze

66,574

89

Carlos Mortensen

43,840

55

Samuel Bernabeu Guilabert

66,574

90

Aurélien Guiglini

43,645

56

Benjamin Nicault

65,564

90

Pascal Aznar

43,645

57

Jean-Pierre Petroli

65,468

92

Bruno Santos

42,374

58

Julien Rustom

64,570

93

Lorenzo Sabato

42,360

59

Giacomo Fundaro

63,607

94

Jan Fernandez Collado

42,228

60

Olaru Narcis Cristian

62,795

94

Joey Lovelady

42,228

61

Joachim Haraldstad

62,154

96

Lionel Lefevre

40,576

62

Frederic MarechalBrito

60,123

97

Angel Botana Camba

40,407

63

Przemyslaw Dajer

60,106

98

Sean Prendiville

39,918

64

Eemil Tuominen

59,599

99

Björn Berner

39,534

65

Karel Kratochvil

56,142

100

Kilian Kramer

39,000

march – April 2013

Ranking

Country

Player

Winnings (USD)

75

All time money list — europe Who can outplay British player Sam Trickett? With his recents Super High Roller wins, the former soccer pro seems unbeatable, despite focusing mostly on high-stakes cash-games in London or Macau... Only Gus Hansen (second) or Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier seem to be able to win some more money to try to approach the Brit score, as Peter Eastgate and Carlos Mortensen are mostly absent from the tournament circuit. Contrary to the 2013 rolling ranking, the All Time Money List includes any wins in tournaments, including ones with a buy-in superior to $25,000.

sam trickett

Ranking

gus hansen

Country

Player

Winnings (USD)

peter eastgate

Ranking

Country

Player

Winnings (USD)

1

Sam Trickett

19,581,680

16

Jeff Lisandro

5,019,415

2

Gus Hansen

11,210,073

17

Juha Helppi

4,721,345

3

Peter Eastgate

11,127,554

18

Surinder Sunar

4,651,115

4

Carlos Mortensen

10,855,276

19

Yevgeniy Timoshenko

4,505,464

5

Bertrand Grospellier

10,343,913

20

Andy Black

4,423,333

6

Pius Heinz

8,971,109

21

Vitaly Lunkin

4,266,161

7

Eugene Katchalov

7,349,032

22

Igor Kurganov

4,186,696

8

Ivan Demidov

6,777,519

23

Fabrice Soulier

4,117,907

9

David Benyamine

6,454,548

24

Marcel Luske

4,099,130

10

Dave Ulliott

6,012,424

25

Antoine Saout

4,028,427

11

Patrik Antonius

5,962,132

26

Philipp Gruissem

3,969,008

12

Tobias Reinkemeier

5,734,896

27

Marvin Rettenmaier

3,881,363

13

Martin Staszko

5,626,961

28

Marty Smyth

3,866,083

14

Chris Bjorin

5,472,434

29

Roger Hairabedian

3,780,530

15

Roland de Wolfe

5,330,556

30

Alexander Kravchenko

3,864,463

Available at www.poker52europa.com 76

march – april 2013

Player

Winnings (USD)

1

Jeff Lisandro

5,019,415

2

Filippo Candio

3,467,846

3

Max Pescatori

3,294,435

4

David Steicke

5

Salvatore Bonavena

6

Alessio Isaia

7

Luca Pagano

8 9 10

England

Ranking

Ranking

Player

Winnings (USD)

Sam Trickett

2

Dave Ulliott

6,012,424

3

Roland de Wolfe

5,330,556

2,895,717

4

Surinder Sunar

4,651,115

2,556,577

5

Ram Vaswani

3,477,251

2,078,362

6

Neil Channing

3,364,911

2,055,370

7

Tony Bloom

3,308,051

Dario Minieri

1,861,016

8

John Gale

3,306,889

Dario Alioto

1,481,466

9

Jake Cody

3,190,830

Sergio Castelluccio

1,225,238

10

James Akenhead

Ranking

Player

Winnings (USD)

1

Carlos Mortensen

10,855,276

2

Raul Paez Corral

1,671,875

3

Juan Maceiras Lapido Jr.

1,082,049

4

Dragan Kostic

Germany

1

922,347

Ranking

Player

19,581,680

3,116,769

Winnings (USD)

1

Pius Heinz

8,971,109

2

Tobias Reinkemeier

5,734,896

3

Philipp Gruissem

3,969,008

4

Marvin Rettenmaier

3,881,363 3,611,600

5

Raul Mestre

916,089

5

Benjamin Spindler

6

Tomeu Gomila

880,893

6

Sebastian Ruthenberg

3,457,185

7

Jesús Cortes

828,203

7

Moritz Kranich

2,932,396 2,846,254

Leo Margets

770,273

8

Fabian Quoss

Juan Garcia Cid

718,381

9

Ole Schemion

2,603,025

10

Adria Maria Balaguer

711,737

10

Andreas Krause

2,306,738

Ranking

Player

Winnings (USD)

1

Ivan Demidov

6,777,519

2

Vitaly Lunkin

4,266,161

3

Igor Kurganov

4,186,696

4

Alexander Kravchenko

3,864,463

Denmark

8 9

Ranking

Player

Winnings (USD)

1

Gus Hansen

11,210,073

2

Peter Eastgate

11,127,554

3

Theo Jørgensen

3,239,762

4

Rehne Pedersen

2,302,466 2,205,263

Alexander Kostritsyn

2,915,269

5

Frederik Brink Jensen

Max Lykov

2,803,200

6

Jan Sorensen

2,170,621

7

Kirill Gerasimov

2,563,108

7

Søren Kongsgaard Nielsen

1,988,594

8

Andrey Pateychuk

2,217,085

8

Lars Bonding

1,852,848

9

Leonid Bilokur

2,111,599

9

Sander Lyloff

1,712,552

10

Konstantin Puchkov

1,837,754

10

Rasmus Nielsen

1,418,747

Ranking

Player

Winnings (USD)

1

Chris Bjorin

5,472,434

2

Martin De Knijff

3,419,490

3

William Thorson

3,372,326

4

Martin Jacobson

3,056,592

Norway

5 6

Ranking

Player

Winnings (USD)

1

Annette Obrestad

3,780,530

2

Jan Olav Sjavik

1,884,057

3

Andreas Hoivold

1,655,163

4

Trond Eidsvig

1,623,879

5

Johan Storakers

3,002,166

5

Dag Martin Mikkelsen

1,499,148

6

Michael Tureniec

2,796,290

6

Johnny Lodden

1,250,498

7

Erik Marcus Friberg

2,754,389

9

Andreas Walnum

1,197,518

8

Ramzi Jelassi

2,354,635

7

Bjorn-Erik Glenne

1,092,588

9

Christer Johansson

1,771,328

8

Kristian Kjondal

1,057,150

10

Mikael Thuritz

1,707,983

10

Marcel Bjerkmann

Ranking

Player

Winnings (USD)

1

Andy Black

4,423,333

2

Marty Smyth

3,876,539

3

Eoghan O'Dea

4

Padraig Parkinson

France

Ireland

Sweden

Russia

Spain

Italy

top ten - all time money list

Ranking

Player

977,333

Winnings (USD)

1

Bertrand Grospellier

10,343,913

2

David Benyamine

6,454,548

2,524,183

3

Fabrice Soulier

4,117,907

1,648,908

4

Antoine Saout

4,028,427

5

Fintan Gavin

1,410,413

5

Roger Hairabedian

3,866,083

6

Dermot Blain

1,310,877

6

Ludovic Lacay

2,970,920

7

John Magill

1,209,798

7

Bruno Fitoussi

2,673,735

8

Donnacha O'Dea

1,201,017

8

Jean-Paul Pasqualini

2,660,096

9

Noel Furlong

1,145,807

9

Antony Lellouche

2,551,175

10

Liam Flood

1,142,446

10

Alain Roy

2,456,699

march – April 2013

77

GPI top100

What has Germany done to GPI? With Marvin Rettenmaier (first), Philipp Gruissem (third) and Ole Schemion (fourth) as well Tobias Reikenmaier (tenth) or Martin Finger (eleventh), Germany is by far the best GPI European country...

Only France seems to be able to compete with them, thanks to Bertrand Grospellier (second), Roger Hairabedian (seventh) or Fabrice Soulier (twelfth).

The former 2012 GPI champion Marvin Rettenmaier is indeed the leading force in Europe, and he seems to be on a good path to remain the best GPI player again, as he has scored recently in numerous tournaments...

marvin rettenmaier

Ranking

78

bertrand “elky” grospellier

Country

Player

Score

Ranking

philipp gruissem

Country

Player

Score

1

Marvin Rettenmaier

3085,58

16

Davidi Kitai

1934,81

2

Bertrand Grospellier

3049,17

17

Jonathan Aguiar

1903,59

3

Philipp Gruissem

2676,27

18

David Benyamine

1871,92

4

Ole Schemion

2581,14

19

Philippe Ktorza

1864,31

5

Roberto Romanello

2337,56

20

Pierre Neuville

1859,78

6

Juha Helppi

2256,82

21

Anton Wigg

1853,48

7

Roger Hairabedian

2239,53

22

Mihails Morozovs

1840,67

8

Martin Jacobson

2200,10

23

Fabian Quoss

1839,45

9

Toby Lewis

2151,63

24

Mihai Manole

1838,71

10

Tobias Reinkemeier

2131,64

25

Danyel Boyaciyan

1776,76

11

Martin Finger

2128,18

26

Govert Metaal

1770,91

12

Fabrice Soulier

2101,99

27

David Vamplew

1761,02

13

Dimitar Danchev

2033,87

28

Mickey Petersen

1758,38

14

Kristijonas Andrulis

2028,15

29

Simon Ravnsbaek

1723,11

15

Christopher Brammer

2010,99

30

Paul Berende

1714,40

march – april 2013

Ranking

Country

Player

Score

Ranking

Country

Player

Score

31

Aubin Cazals

1710,00

66

Matthias De Meulder

1264,89

32

Joni Jouhkimainen

1709,35

67

Paul Tedeschi

1264,01

33

John Paul Kelly

1648,13

68

David Steicke

1250,82

34

Zimnan Ziyard

1633,46

69

Marco Leonzio

1248,62

35

Jan Bendik

1617,42

70

Paul Vas Nunes

1235,39

36

Heinz Kamutzki

1616,12

71

Laurent Polito

1234,51

37

Salvatore Bonavena

1596,06

72

Ben Vinson

1231,73

38

Stephen Chidwick

1586,63

73

Benjamin Spindler

1226,40

39

Vojtech Ruzicka

1581.39

74

Jean-Noel Thorel

1210,95

40

Samad Razavi

1573,48

75

Alexander Roumeliotis

1210,21

41

Dominik Nitsche

1569,40

76

Jeff Lisandro

1209,54

42

Rocco Palumbo

1507,88

77

Dan Murariu

1200,27

43

Alessandro Longobardi

1503,61

78

Grzegorz Derkowski

1193,93

44

Craig McCorkell

1498,15

79

Mustapha Kanit

1191,89

45

Ana Laura Marquez Esteban

1478,05

80

John Eames

1190,04

46

Dermot Blain

1467,93

81

Koen De Visscher

1176,02

47

Andrea Dato

1466,64

82

Casey Kastle

1174,77

48

Chris Bjorin

1443,58

83

Jake Cody

1165,99

49

Manig Loeser

1443,39

84

Khiem Nguyen

1165,64

50

Kent Lundmark

1420,35

85

Ludovic Lacay

1158,95

51

Tristan Clemencon

1420,32

86

Dario Alioto

1148,83

52

Bruno Lopes

1397,02

87

Stephane Benadiba

1145,48

53

Max Silver

1396,17

88

Jason Tompkins

1137,76

54

Giacomo Fundaro

1387,71

89

Max Lehmanski

1133,91

55

Ismael Bojang

1387,11

90

Nicolas Cardyn

1133,41

56

Liv Boeree

1372,22

91

Bernard Guigon

1129,77

57

Ramzi Jelassi

1369,51

92

Eric Sfez

1127,04

58

Alain Emile Bernard Roy

1366,43

93

Sergio Castelluccio

1126,37

59

Chris Moorman

1360,79

94

Paul Guichard

1121,63

60

Tomeu Gomila

1351,88

95

Michel Abecassis

1111,77

61

Tom Alner

1339,14

96

Michael Graydon

1107,60

62

Fernando Antônio Fontoura

1325,68

97

Frederik Brink Jensen

1099,26

63

Guillaume Darcourt

1323,69

98

Nicolas Levi

1095,80

64

GKenny Hallaert

1317,27

99

Daniele Mazzia

1089,64

65

Sam Trickett

1301,22

100

Bruno Fitoussi

1087,31

march – April 2013

79

chronicle

In a heads up tournament two players get to the river.

Player A bets 1000 and then player B throws in 2500 but doesn’t say anything.

Not Paying Attention on the River In a heads up tournament two players get to the river. Player A bets 1000 and then player B throws in 2500 but doesn’t say anything. Player A turns their hand over and says “straight”. Dealer says, “he raised”. Player A immediately says “oh sorry then I call.” You are watching the table, how do you rule?

80

march – april 2013

You are the Tournament Director Series 5 Jack Effel

Poker is a game of observation. When Player A turned over his hand, he accepted the action and must call the additional 1,500. Player A would not be allowed to raise or fold after opening his hand.

Thomas Kremser

In this situation Player A didn’t try to take advantage or get a reaction – Cards are live and he is allowed to call.

David Lamb

turned them over before action was complete. Now even if a hand is turned over intentionally it would rarely be killed, players may be penalised though. In this specific situation all of our TDs are in agreement that player A may call or must call and if the straight is the best hand player A shall win the pot. Certainly if the showing of cards was intentinal to try and gain a reaction or some advantage then a penalty would be appropriate. It would certainly appear that this was unintentional in this case and we would therefore not give any penalty but simply warn the player to pay more attention.

It is a call. Correct the bet, a misunderstanding of the amount of the bet or raise should not negate a players right to take the proper action on a hand.

David Luzago

Player A can win the pot this time, but he should be sanctioned for showing his cards during the hand in play, cause he could take advantage of doing it observing the other player reaction.

Matt Savage

Could be a penalty but probably not, definitely allowed to call and the hand plays.

Thomas Lamatsch

If it is possible I avoid killing a hand by decision and also in this case! Player A didn’t do this by purpose and he had no advantage out of this! The cards are still alive and not in the muck. I would not allow any other action then a call! But still the player has to pay more attention and because it is headsup, I would give him a penalty of two Big Blinds!

JP McCann

Player A’s hand is live and I would allow him to call the additional 1500. If I suspect that he exposed his cards intentionally to get a read off his opponent then I would give him a penalty at the end of the hand.

FIDPA (The International Poker Rules) Ruling (Marcel Luske)

Because Im watching this it is easy to keep it Fair ! 5.2 Tournament Directors and Floor People will penalize any player who acts in an unethical manner. So was it unethical? NO! it was unintentional! .3.3 An unintentional error should be less serious than a deliberate violation and may be ruled as such...! The player that had raised cannot being penalised for this as he did nothing wrong! So if it was UNintentional from the player that opened the cards, the TD can rule as such !

Mob Verdict

Times and rules in poker have changed over the years and mostly for the better. This is one of those cases. We can remember card rooms killing a player’s hand if they march – April 2013

Times and rules in poker have changed over the years and mostly for the better. This is one of those cases. We can remember card rooms killing a player’s hand if they turned them over before action was complete. Now even if a hand is turned over intentionally it would rarely be killed, players may be penalised though.

In this specific situation all of our TDs are in agreement that player A may call or must call and if the straight is the best hand player A shall win the pot.

81

tournament schedule March 2013 1 - 3 March 2013 BPT Bordeaux, Casino Barrière de Bordeaux 1 - 3 March 2013 5 Stars Tournament, Belgrade 3 - 12 March 2013 [WPTN] WPT National Mauritius, Grand Bay 2 - 4 March 2013 Shoot 4 the Money - Cercle Cadet, Paris 5 - 16 March 2013 EPT/UK & Ireland Poker Tour - London 6 - 10 March 2013 UK & Ireland Poker Tour - London 7 - 10 March 2013 Unibet Open Copenhagen 2013, Copenhagen 9 March 2013 Texa Poker Series, Gruissan 9 - 10 March ACFPoker Tour Mauritius, Casino Ti Vegas 9 - 10 March Spring Classico, Casino Cannes Croisette 10 - 17 March 2013 Dusk Till Dawn Grand Prix, Nottingham 13 - 17 March 2013 Marrakech Poker Open, Casino Es Saadi Marrakech 13 - 17 March 2013 Latin American Poker Tour VI - Chile National Poker Championship, Vina del Mar 13 - 24 March 2013 ANZPT Sydney 14 - 19 March 2013 [WPTN] PartyPoker WPT National London 16 March 2013 Mega Stack Gruissan 17 - 23 March 2013 PartyPoker.com Premier League Poker VI, London 19 - 24 March 2013 France Poker Series - Snowfest Évian

82

21 - 24 March 2013 Deepstack Open - Casino Cannes Croisette 21 - 30 March 2013 [WPTN] WPT Venice Poker Festival, Venice 23 - 24 March 2013 ACF 1000, Aviation Club de France, Paris 23 March - 2 April 2013 Russian Poker Tour - Grand Final, Kiev 26 - 31 March 2013 Million Poker Race 13, Casino Mamounia, Marrakech 27 - 31 March 2013 Bulgarian Poker Festival, Pravets 28 March - 1 April 2013 Irish Open 2013, Dublin 28 March - 1 April 2013 Scottish Poker Series, Edinburgh 28 March - 1 April 2013 APAT - World Championship Of Amateur Poker, Nottingham 29 - 31 March 2013 PKR Live 2013, London

April 2013

1 - 9 April 2013 Lebanese Poker Tour 2013 Championship, Kyrenia 3 - 7 April 2013 Estrellas Poker Tour Valencia, Valence 4 - 15 April 2013 World Series of Poker Asia-Pacific (WSOP APAC), Melbourne 5 - 7 April 2013 BPT Ribeauvillé, Casino Barrière de Ribeauvillé 5 - 7 April 2013 WPT National - Johannesburg 5 - 10 April 2013 WPT Barcelona, Gran Casino Barcelona 8 - 15 April 2013 WPT National, Casino Cannes Croisette, Cannes 9 - 14 April 2013 Open du Montenegro, Casino Maestral, Budva

9 - 14 April 2013 CAPT Salzburg Casino Salzburg, Austria 11 - 16 April 2013 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Showdown, Hollywood 13 - 14 April 2013 ACFPoker Tour, Casino Cannes Croisette Cannes 15 - 27 April 2013 EPT Berlin 17 - 24 April 2013 APT Philippines 2013, Manila 25 - 30 April 2013 Latin America Poker Tour VI - Brazil, São Paulo 28 April - 5 May 2013 CAPT Bregenz Casino Bregenz, Austria 28 April - 7 May 2013 IPT San Remo

May 2013 3 - 5 May 2013 BPT Nice, Casino Barrière de Nice 6 - 12 May 2013 Pokerfest Romania Season 3 Bucharest 6 - 15 May 2013 EPT Grand Final, Monte-Carlo 8 - 12 May 2013 Chilipoker Deepstack Open - Tangier 16 - 20 May 2013 WPT National Annecy 18 - 19 May 2013 ACFPoker Tour Annecy 18 - 24 May 2013 WPT World Championship, Las Vegas 29 May - 15 June 2013 44th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2013, Las Vegas 30 May - 2 June 2013 European Football Poker Tour - Paris 31 May - 5 June 2013 ISPT, London

march – april 2013

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