Set upon the backdrop of one of the most scenic destinations in the world, Cannes, France, this year’s World Series of Poker Europe was one for the ages. The biggest WSOP Europe to date attracted the world’s best and brightest poker players who each competed for their share of over €10,620,330 in prize money.
On Sunday, December 18th, beginning at 6pm ET, you at home can watch the 2011 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event and this year’s Caesars Cup with six back-to-back, one-hour premiere episodes on ESPN2. Join hosts Lon McEachern and Norman Chad as they bring you all of the action from Cannes complete with hole cards and the traditional format poker fans have come to expect from ESPN.
Whether you’re a poker aficionado or just a casual fan, you won’t want to miss this special presentation of the World Series of Poker Europe on ESPN2. Below is a summary of each episode set to premier on December 18th.
Episode 1 – Caesars Cup
For the second time, the World Series of Poker presents the Caesars Cup, a unique and entertaining tournament format that pits two teams of five poker pros against each other in a Ryder Cup-style event. One is “Team Americas,” consisting of some of the biggest names from the United States and Canada, and the other is “Team Europe.” The captain of Team Americas is none other than the Poker Brat himself, Phil Hellmuth, as he leads “Kid Poker” Daniel Negreanu, November Niner Ben Lamb, poker legend Johnny Chan, and Jason Mercier to this star-studded table. Team Europe consists of Triple Crown winner and captain Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier, on his home turf in France, Gus Hansen, Tony G, Jake Cody, and Max Lykov. The trash talking and power poker will be a sight to see at the fast-paced 2011 Caesars Cup.
Episode 2 – Poker’s Best Convene in Cannes, France
Cannes, France – Located on the French Riviera, this tourist destination is known for its scenic views, luxury shops and pure opulence. Home of the annual Cannes Film Festival, this year, the iconic city plays host to another world-class event, World Series of Poker Europe.
The 13-day tournament series saw many attendance records fall and the 2011 WSOP Europe Main Event was no exception. Having started with a record-breaking field of 593 entrants, ESPN brings you the action from the Main Event with 16 players remaining, each vying for the biggest prize in the tournament’s history, 1.4 million Euros – almost 2 million U.S. dollars.
The final two tables boast some big names, including Finland’s Patrik Antonius, Canadian Shawn Buchanan and Jake Cody, the young Brit who earlier this year won the WSOP $25,000 Heads Up No-Limit Hold’em championship
Episode 3 – Who Will Make the Final Table?
With one player eliminated, the remaining 15 have their sights set on the final table. Will Antonius, who is regarded by many as the best player in the world without a bracelet, be able to remedy that here in the Main Event or will the bracelet go to another veteran, such as Buchanan, who is storming up the leaderboard? Or will an emerging star such as American Elio Fox, or the current chip leader Max Silver of the UK rise from obscurity to lay claim to the most coveted prize in poker? See who makes it to the final table and who falls short.
Episode 4 – In Poker, Things Can Change at the Turn of a Card
Play gets down to nine before the shocking elimination of one notable pro on a bad beat leaves the remaining field with a much different complexion. Elio Fox is the chip leader to begin the official final table, but it’s still anyone’s guess who will take home the bracelet. Jake Cody still has some work to do, but would be wise to look out for quiet but savvy Europeans including Irishman Dermot Blain and Moritz Kranich of Germany.
Episode 5 – A Final Table Tinderbox
The eliminations are coming fast and hard at the final table of the 2011 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event with the remaining six players that much closer to the gold bracelet and 1.4 million Euros. Elio Fox retains his chip lead, but with the aggressive tone that the final table has taken, a lot of chips can be expected to get in the pot quickly, changing fortunes at the turn of a card. Add short-handed play to this equation and the result is even wilder bluffs, more fearlessness and overall impressive play from the remaining young group of pros. Will the bracelet stay in Europe or will it come back to the United States?
Episode 6 – A New Champion is Crowned
It’s down to the last hour of play in the 2011 World Series of Poker Main Event and the first place prize of 1.4 million Euros is in reach for the four remaining combatants. Among them is German Mortiz Kranich, who with a win in the Main Event can earn his own Triple Crown victory. Will Kranich be the one to wrestle the chip lead away from Elio Fox or will one of the online veterans Chris Moorman or Brian Roberts move to the top of the leaderboard en route to their first bracelet? You won’t want to miss the exceptional play, aggressive action and unbelievable hands as this loaded final table comes to its conclusion!