Europe’s Disappointing Start to the World Series of Poker
An explosive start means we are already one third of the way through the 2021 World Series of Poker. The 88th and final event may not begin until November 22nd, but millions in prize money has already been awarded.
With a revamped schedule making comparisons on participating numbers an inaccurate science, it would appear player numbers are down by around 30 percent compared to 2019s figures.
Poker Brat Phil Hellmuth has already made three final table appearances at the 2021 World Series of Poker. ©GettyImages
One stat that is indisputable is the comparative lack of success enjoyed by visiting players. So far just one event has fallen to a player living outside of North America. That bracelet winner – in the $1,500 Limit Hold’em event – was Israel’s Yuval Bronshtein. He netted $124,374 for his efforts.
The biggest non-American ‘cash’ of the series currently belongs to Spain’s Adrian Mateos. He collected $381,870 for finishing third in the $25,000 entry High Roller No-Limit Hold’em 8-Handed event.
Phil Hellmuth, the 1989 Main Event champion and all-time World Series of Poker bracelet leader with 15 tournament victories, has been one of the most impressive players at the 2021 Series.
The so-called ‘Poker Brat’ has made three final table appearances and enjoyed an additional ‘cash’ during the opening two weeks of tournaments. All of his deep runs have come in specialist games and not the more conventional discipline of Texas Hold’em.
Padraig’s Poker Room Opening in Dublin
One of Hellmuth’s old sparring partners from the early years of Late Night Poker is Padraig Parkinson. The gregarious Irishman, whose finest poker achievement was finishing third in the 1999 World Series Main Event, is likely to miss this year’s World Series after putting his name and face to a new poker room in Dublin.
Following the closure of Dublin’s Fitzwilliam Casino in December 2019, Irish poker players had been searching for a place to call home. A nationwide Covid shutdown then saw live poker grind to a standstill.
Thankfully the Sporting Emporium – owed by billionaire financier Dermot Desmond – which has sporadically showcased poker, has now stepped in to fill the breach.
The city center casino will re-open when Ireland’s Covid restrictions are lifted on October 22nd and in addition to its normal Roulette and Blackjack fare, the branded Padraig’s Poker Room will make its debut.
“18 months ago we spoke about putting poker back into central Dublin, filling the void left by the Fitzwilliam,” says Padraig Parkinson. “Obviously Covid scuppered that but I’m delighted to say we are back on track and when the Sporting Emporium reopens next week there will be a new card room in place.”
“The ethos is to make poker a fun and sociable experience. We plan to give the players what they want rather than tell them what they want.” Open seven nights a week, the veteran card player says a nightly tournament schedule will slowly be introduced.
“We will initially take things gently,” says Parkinson. “But I am very much looking forward to a celebrity gathering for a charity tournament we are planning in January. Pieta House, dedicated to helping the homeless and those in distress, will be the beneficiary. Here’s hoping we can raise a lot of money for them.”
Amsterdam’s Master Classics Gets a Green Light
In an unexpected U-turn, European poker has received an additional boost with a schedule for the time-honored Master Classics of Poker being announced by the Dutch state-owned Holland Casino.
Following a change of plan, Amsterdam’s Holland Casino will stage a scaled-down Master Classics of Poker in 2021. ©GettyImages
Amsterdam’s Master Classics of Poker is one of the world’s longest-running poker festivals. Its Main Event dates back to 1992 when it began life as a seven-card stud tournament. Organizers had originally stated this year’s event would not go ahead.
The 2021 rendition features dramatically reduced entry fees with the Main Event now demanding €2,000. In 2019 the tournament attracted 346 entries at €4,000 apiece.
Running between November 13th and 20th inclusive, the 2021 Master Classics festival also offers five €500 entry competitions and three €250 tournaments. Field sizes in all supporting events are capped between 30 and 150 players.
