Editor Letter 

November 2009

By John Wenzel 

It’s Become a Month-Long Carnival   

In just two short years the World Series of Poker Europe has gone from a bold experiment to a not-to-be-missed fortnight extravaganza that draws the biggest names in the world. During the first year, 2007, the three events were parceled out to several London casinos and had little impact on any of them. Contrast that to this time ’round when Phil Hellmuth entered Leicester Square on horse-drawn chariot and the atmosphere at the Empire Casino was nearing “Beatles Reunion” on the thrill-o-meter. 

In fact, the WSOPE has become such an important date on the poker calendar that other events are now building around it, knowing that so many of poker’s biggest names will be in London. The European Poker Tour’s London event – one of that tour’s signature stops – began its main event just as the WSOPE’s was ending. 

Add the English Poker Open at Dusk Till Dawn into the mix, and the Full Tilt Million Dollar Cash Game (which was filmed in London at the same time), the Caesars Cup, Betfair’s Million Dollar Game, and enough poker sideshows and high rollers to keep even the most jaded amongst us fascinated, and you have the makings of a real month-long carnival that poker pros and fans alike will be circling on their calendars from here on out. 

All this feeds into what most in the poker world know but many others still fail to realise: Even given the current economic limitations, poker is still a growth industry in Europe and points east. And when the economic engine revs up again, those who have positioned themselves in the market during the lean times will reap big rewards down the road. 

This is true not only for those involved in the business side of the game, but for players also. Those who work on their games diligently and hang in there now – when many areas seem to be “fished out” – will develop serious skills and rock-hard discipline. They will have their games fine-tuned to the point that when recreational players get more disposable income – and more countries open their borders to poker – they will have a relatively easy time making a very good living from the game they love. 

Maybe you’ll see some of these players next September, because September is poker month in London – and anyone who is anyone in global poker will be there.