Poker News

Tony Kendall

The European Poker Tour (EPT), the nearest we have to the wonderful WPT, has now had 3 events in Season 2.

We reported on the season opener in Barcelona previously - suffice to say, the less said about that, the better.

The second event was at The Vic, & there was minimal American interest. Sadly, it was a 2 day crapshoot - we are hardly likely to attract the American players if that’s the best we can do - & we NEED the Americans to get involved in the EPT. You give us credibility, not to mention a better chance of selling the TV rights worldwide if the top Americans are involved. Despite being barely represented, it was no surprise to see two of your guys make the money - Tom Dwan was 12th for $12,400, & the most impressive Noah Jefferson was very unlucky to exit third for $129,000. Around 250 sat down for this event, but as the UK does not have a venue that can seat 250, we had two opening flights. You guys must think it’s extraordinary that Great Britain does not have a venue that seats 250 - there must be scores of them in Vegas alone - but it’s a fact, and an embarrassment.

Hey-ho.

The next stop - 36 hours later, would you believe, was in Austria, in the beautiful town of Baden. How on earth we came to have two events with less than 36 hours between them is a mystery that only the EPT organisers can answer. Not surprisingly, only 177 runners turned up. But here’s the twist - the event was a “proper” 3 day event, with a lovely structure, perfectly managed, in THE most beautiful Casino. And only 177 players were there. In the words of your Mr. Simpson - doh!

American interest was again negligible, but you managed two cashes - the improbably named Dustin Dorrance-Bowman was 14th for $8,150, & Jason McCombie struggled into 18th for $6,520.

Next up is The Dublin leg, but we almost wish that no Americans turn up for that - The Merrion is a really nice club, based in a town-house, with a most intimate and friendly atmosphere. But as a venue for a prestigious International tournament well, it’s hard to argue THAT case. Stick with us please guys, we WILL get it right soon. Our EPT’s in 2006 are much, much better. Copenhagen and Deauville - both of them exquisite & top class venues, are both genuine 3 day events, held over 4 days to accommodate two opening flights. And Monte Carlo - ?10,000 is the entry there - is a 4 day job, run over 5 days. Proper poker, & I do hope the Americans support it. Meanwhile, we had the made for TV William Hill Grand Prix this week, still running as we go to press. Heat 1 was won by a certain Mr Phil Laak, aka The Unabomber. The perception we have over here of Phil is not good - we have seen him clown around on various American TV events, & this hardly endeared himself to we more conservative Europeans. He shocked us in the William Hill event though - a perfect Gentleman, & boy ohboy, he has game to spare. In what we thought was a tough heat, he ran over the table, and coasted to an easy victory. So now we think he’s wonderful. Until, that is, he gave his obligatory post game TV interview. He rambled on for what seemed an eternity, and gave the impression of, shall we say, not playing with a full deck. I mean, it was bizarre - spoon bending & electro magnetic fields and all sorts of nonsense. You sure do produce characters!

But we DO expect a strong American raiding party for our next big event, The Monte Carlo Millions, in a few weeks time. A first prize of over $1,000,000 is guaranteed, and the venue is perfect for this Matt Savage promoted event. See you there!

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