Sammy “Any Two” George will square off against online poker sensation Tom “durrrr” Dwan in the Million Dollar Challenge that will take place in London next month. George is the first player to take Dwan up on his unique proposition bet. Three more will be announced.
A total of 500 hands will be played between George and Dwan heads-up. The buy-in is a scant $500,000 and blinds will be set at $500/$1,000. According to Matchroom Sport, which is promoting and organizing the festivities, “No player can leave the contest until either the 500 hands are up or the player has bust.” Dwan is currently battling against Full Tilt Poker pro Patrik Antonius in the online version of the Million Dollar Challenge. However, there has been no action in the high-stakes contest since June, leaving many to wonder if the Durrrr Challenge will see an ending.
George hails from London and told Matchroom Sport, “I’m buzzing – what could be sweeter than playing in the world’s biggest heads-up match against Durrrr? I’m stepping up to the plate and putting my money where my mouth is and it will be an honor to represent my country against the best the U.S. has to offer.” George has appeared on “Poker Million,” finishing sixth in its semi-final last December for $20,000 after battling against a talented table that included David “Devilfish” Ulliott, Marty Smyth, Roy Brindley, and Tony G. George finished 21st in the 2009 World Poker Tour (WPT) Bellagio Cup for $23,000. Alexandre Gomes, a member of Team PokerStars Pro and one of the finest Brazilian poker players in the world, won the $15,000 buy-in tournament.
The Durrrr Challenge between Dwan and Antonius kicked off in February on the virtual felts of Full Tilt Poker. The duo has logged 20,647 hands of $200/$400 Pot Limit Omaha and need 50,000 to finish. When the requisite number of hands has been completed, if Dwan is ahead by at least $1, Antonius must pay up $500,000. If Antonius is up by at least $1, Dwan will shell out $1.5 million. In addition, bragging rights for years to come are on the line, as are the spoils of the 50,000 hands. However, mid-June marked the last action in the Million Dollar Challenge, leaving many to doubt its future.
In July, Dwan announced that a live version of the Million Dollar Challenge would be held in London this September. Four players will take him on in the European city in what will surely be one of the most unique live poker promotions ever held. In George, Dwan will battle against a top-tier cash game player who regularly hits the felts in high-stakes games venues around London. No date or location for the spectacle has been announced.
On September 18th, the WSOP Europe tournament series will kick off at the Casino at the Empire in London. The £10,000 buy-in Main Event begins on September 26th. It’s a five day tournament that will feature two starting days. In 2007, Team Betfair pro Annette “Annette_15” Obrestad brought home the gold in London, while John Juanda claimed victory last year.
Antonius was one of 500 players shut out of the $10,000 buy-in WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas after Day 1D sold out in July. Also left out in the cold were five-time bracelet winner Ted Forrest, Poker Hall of Fame member T.J. Cloutier, and “Captain” Tom Franklin, the Chairman of the World Poker Association.
Three more challengers are waiting in the wings for Dwan in London. We’ll have breaking news on the Tom Dwan Million Dollar Challenge as it becomes available right here on Poker News Daily.
