London Calling: Hellmuth, Gold to play WSOP Europe

Pre-registration has officially opened for the World Series of Poker Europe, presented by Betfair.com, and two perennial media hounds got their names in the drum post-haste - both WSOP bracelet leader Phil Hellmuth Jr. and 2006 WSOP Main Event Champ Jamie Gold have committed to play.

Dropping its booming American brand recognition down in London from Sept. 6-16 this year, the inaugural WSOP Europe will feature three big tournaments, the largest of which will be another "Main Event" - a £10,000 buy-in, 750-player, six-day tournament with a prize pool of roughly £7.5 million.

Events will be hosted at three casinos operated by London Clubs International - Fifty, The Casino at the Empire, and The Sportsman.

The three event winners will also, of course, be presented with the iconic WSOP gold bracelet - for the first-time ever presented on foreign soil.

Two of those 750 players have already been decided: perennial poker whipping boy Gold and Poker Hall of Famer Phil Hellmuth, who won his record 11th bracelet earlier in the ongoing World Series in Vegas.

In fact, Hellmuth says, he's very much looking forward to it.

"I've played all over the world and particularly enjoy playing in Europe. I'm going to London to make history again by winning the first WSOP bracelet ever awarded outside of Las Vegas."

Players who feel they'll be able to withstand Hellmuth's European vacation can pre-register for the WSOP Europe at www.worldseriesofpoker.com or at the WSOP currently under way at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Players can also fill out membership applications for London Clubs International at a WSOP Europe booth outside the Amazon Room, and can pay entry fees from now until the end of the WSOP.

courtesy of Christopher Hunt

News Added: 09 July, 2007

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