WORLD SERIES OF POKER EUROPE DEBUTS SUNDAY, FEB. 1 ON ESPN
ESPN’s first ever coverage of the World Series of Poker Europe will begin on Sunday, Feb. 1 with the first four episodes beginning at 6 p.m. ET, followed by an encore presentation of episodes 1 and 2 on ESPN2 at 10 p.m., co-hosted by Lon McEachern and Norman Chad.
This world title event drew 362 renowned poker players to the Casino at the Empire in the heart of London. Widely considered to be one of the toughest starting fields ever assembled, pros from all over the world traveled to England for a chance to win poker’s most coveted piece of jewelry – a World Series of Poker bracelet and a first place check for more than $1.5 million.
In Episode 1 at 6 p.m., the fireworks begin early as American pros Phil Ivey and Mike Matusow are seated at the featured table. Others in action include former Main Event Champions Phil Hellmuth, Joe Hachem and Australian amateur Shane Warne, a retired cricket player who has been called the Michael Jordan of that sport.
In Episode 2 at 7 p.m., defending WSOP Europe Main Event Champion Annette Obrestad begins her quest to repeat. The Norwegian star became the youngest-ever to win the title a year ago, and now finds herself across the felt covered feature table from some of the best pros in the world, including Antonio Esfandiari and Phil Laak. Former Main Event champions Doyle Brunson and Chris Ferguson are also in action.
A stacked starting field at the WSOPE – Main Event played down to 179 players as a number of big names left London empty-handed including Phil Ivey, Patrik Antonius, and Howard Lederer, but many others remained..
Episode 3 at 8 p.m. begins with phenom Justin “Boosted J” Smith atop of the day two leader board, and challenged by Daniel “Kid Poker” Negreanu – one of poker’s most recognizable stars. Negreanu heads a featured table with Phil Laak and newcomer Jamie Rosen, who at the time was 3rd in chips, just behind Negreanu. At the end of the night, only 62 players will remain in the hunt for one of poker’s ultimate prizes.
Episode 4 at 9 p.m. will chronicle day 3 as the money bubble bursts. Finish in 37th place and get nothing but a wish for safe travels home; finish 36th and collect nearly $50,000. That bubble will weigh heavily on the players as another grueling day awaits. Daniel Negreanu again gets the spotlight at the featured table. This time, England’s David “Devilfish” Ulliott and Vicky Coren join him, along American high stakes pro Phil Laak. Andy Bloch starts the day as chip leader as he tries to move closer to winning his first World Series of Poker bracelet. Plenty of big names will try to stop him, including Mike “The Mouth” Matusow. Also in action are emerging pros Chris Moorman and Chris Elliott, a Scotsman playing in his very first live tournament.
The ESPN2 air dates listed below: (ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN)
2/1
10pm Episode #1
11pm Episode #2
2/8
10pm Episode #3
11pm Episode #4
2/15
10pm Episode #5
11pm Episode #6
3/1
10pm Episode #7
11pm Episode #8
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