Although it may be more than half a year away, officials at the World Series of Poker and Caesars Entertainment want to make sure that players – eager to make travel plans – know when the 2012 World Series of Poker Europe will take place.
The sixth annual running of the WSOP-E will return to the coastal city of Cannes, France, and the Casino Barriere de Cannes Croisette and the Hotel Majestic Barriere from September 21 through October 4. After its four year run in London, England, the WSOP-E was moved to Cannes last year. The decision for the earlier start this year (last year’s tournament was held approximately two weeks later) was made in part to take advantage of, surprisingly, better weather conditions for players who seek something to do outside of the tournament and cash game action.
“We have moved up the schedule a couple of weeks to take better advantage of the great weather and all that Cannes has to offer,” WSOP vice president Ty Stewart mentioned during the announcement of the tournament schedule. “This tournament is now a certified major championship and the experience is second to none. The media is already speculating on 1,000 players for the Main Event and we will be ready for them.”
The casinos are also looking forward to another outstanding tournament schedule. “The first edition of the WSOP-E in Cannes was a great success, an-award winning event that we took great pride in,” stated Alain Fabre, the Chief Executive Officer of the Barriere Croisette Casino. “We look forward to hosting the players again and will strive to make this festival of poker even more fabulous.”
The first foray by the WSOP-E at the casinos in Cannes earned rave reviews from poker players, media and fans alike. The efforts by Barriere casino officials and the WSOP-E didn’t go unnoticed, either, earning the honors for Best European Poker Tournament at the 2012 European Poker Awards. This year’s version of the WSOP-E shouldn’t put that status in jeopardy.
The same seven bracelet events that were contested in 2011 will be run over the fortnight of poker in France. In addition to these tournaments, non-bracelet events, cash games and satellite tournaments will be a featured part of the festivities. The start dates for each of the seven bracelet events are as such:
€2500 Six Handed NLHE – September 21 (defending champion – Guillaume Humbert)
€1000 NLHE – September 22 (Andrew Hinrichsen)
€5000 Pot Limit Omaha – September 24 (Steve Billirakis)
€3000 NLHE Shootout – September 25 (Tristan Wade)
€10,000 Mix-Max NLHE – September 26 (Michael Mizrachi)
€1500 Six Handed PLO – September 27 (Philippe Boucher)
€10,000 Main Event – September 29 (Elio Fox)
(French laws only allow Texas and Omaha Hold’em)
With the success of the 2011 version of the tournament, it might have been expected that there would have been an expansion of the schedule for the 2012 WSOP-E. Rather than dilute an excellent product, however, WSOP officials and their compatriots in France have maintained the prestige of the event by remaining at seven bracelet events.
Although there have been no details released as to how players can register for the WSOP-E tournaments as of yet (the WSOP website has yet to offer a link for registration), officials stated during the announcement of the tournament schedule that there will be special hotel rates for participants. Players will receive special room rates at two hotels, the Majestic and the Gray d’Albion. Future information and room reservation details are expected to be available in May.
Now that the poker world knows when the two major events – the WSOP in Las Vegas and now in Cannes – of the latter half of 2012 will be held, it certainly is time for WSOP fever to grip the world once again!