After playing the main event of the inaugural World Series of Poker Europe in three venues last year the 2008 will have a single home – the Casino at the Empire – and American fans will also get the chance to watch the action from London on ESPN.
The Casino at the Empire, the newest property under the umbrella of the London Clubs International, will host all four events, beginning with the new £1,500 No-Limit event on September 19.
"We are eagerly anticipating World Series of Poker Europe this year," said Ty Stewart, World Series of Poker Director of Marketing. "We have enhanced the schedule to provide more variety and game play, greatly broadened the worldwide television exposure and have brought the event under one roof to better the player experience for this prestigious and premiere event."
ESPN will air eight hours of coverage from WSOPE and will also be responsible for distributing the tournament globally subject to the execution of a definitive agreement. Given the expanded television coverage some of the game’s top players have confirmed their entry.
Erick Lindgren, who won WSOP Player of the Year this summer, Chris Ferguson, Jennifer Harman and 11-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth will all join members of the November Nine Ivan Demidov, Peter Eastgate and David Rheem in London in pursuit of one of the four bracelets available.
"Harrah's has obviously put effort into making a lot of improvements to the event," said Hellmuth. "I would like to make history by being the first American to win a bracelet in Europe."
Poker fans in the U.S., Europe, Mexico and Brazil will also be able to follow the action live on ESPN360.com.