It’s been a mixed week for European players at the WSOP. Things got off to a flying start in the $1,500 No Limit Hold’em tournament and the $3,000 No Limit Hold’em Triple Chance event. German players Joh Carsten ($1,500 NLHE) and Jrg Peisert ($3,000 NLHE Triple Chance) both took bracelets back to Germany with Deutschland ¼ber alles ringing in their ears. Carsten banked a $664,426 win whilst Peisert took a shade over $500,000 for his efforts.
The following events saw the Europeans go back into their shells somewhat. The $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo saw Jack Rosenfeldt finish the event as the highest European player in 11thplace. Rosenfeldt banked a little over $9,000 for his efforts. England’s Steve Jelinek was down in 19th in an event dominated by Americans.
The case was much the same as the next few side events concluded. Americans dominated while the Europeans picked up the scraps. The $1,500 No Limit Hold’em event saw France’s David Jaoui as the highest European player in 8th place for $87,855, as 2817 players made eventual winner Tony Veckey, from Illinois, $673,276 richer.
2-7 Triple Draw Lowball is a variation of poker that you won’t find readily available at all online poker rooms and because of that many players may not be totally prepared when it comes to optimum strategy or even knowing the rules of the game! Certainly, the European players struggled to make an impact in this $2,500 bracelet event. Sweden’s Peter Hedlund was the highest European in 11th place. Hedlund has a superb record in the big events around Europe and his cheerful persona is ever present on the European Poker Tour. He will be representing Betfair Poker in the WSOP Main Event. Further down the 258 player field was Spain\’s Miguel Rodriguez in 12th place and England\’s Ali Sarkeshik in 15th in an event where John Juanda and Daniel Negreanu bother registered cashes.
With Rory Matthews, from Scotland, being the last European player to cash in the $5,000 No Limit Hold’em Six Handed event in 11th place for $52,295 it concluded a tough end to the week for Europeans.
All eyes are now trained on the Main Event. So, what of the early exchanges? Well Day 1C has just concluded and a quick scan down the chip count list sees our old friend Jeff Lisandro in 6th place. Lisandro already has three bracelets in the bank from this Series. A fourth for the man that calls both Australia and Italy his home would almost seem greedy! More importantly will he be eligible to represent Europe in the Caesars Cup at the WSOPE in September? A number of Europeans have healthy looking chip stacks at this early stage but we must remember that the main event is a marathon and not a sprint. A few notable players already calling taxis for McCarran International airport include; Vicky Coren, Liv Boeree and Marcel Luske.
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