London’s Calling for Hellmuth
Friday, 18 January 2008
The PartyPoker European Open IV will take place in the first week
of February, and it is fielding one of the strongest line ups the
tournament has seen thus far. Leading the way in the event is Phil
Hellmuth, the ‘Poker Brat’ and owner of 11 WSOP bra
The PartyPoker European Open IV will take place in the first week
of February, and it is fielding one of the strongest line ups the
tournament has seen thus far. Leading the way in the event is Phil
Hellmuth, the ‘Poker Brat’ and owner of 11 WSOP bracelets.
Phil will also be on commentary duties, joining Jesse May in the
booth. It might be one of the few occasions when Jesse is outdone
on the commentary stakes.
'I am really looking forward to playing in, and commentating
for, the European Open,' Hellmuth said in a press release. 'I am
flying from California to London for one reason: to win, baby!'
Standing in the way of our favourite bullet-dodging poker player
will be defending champion Liam Flood.
'The inclusion of Phil Hellmuth will certainly spice things up,
but we have a host of U.K. talent standing in his way, and you can
be sure that 'The Gentleman' Liam Flood won't give up his crown
without a fight' said Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport head of online
gambling.
Also expected to play in the event are Juah Helppi, Andre
Feldman, Michael McCool, Roland de Wolfe, Andy Black, Marty Smith,
Roy Brindley, Ian Frazer, Ian Cox, Robin Keston and Surinder
Sunar.
'Every time Hellmuth comes to the U.K. he has a massive target
painted on his forehead, and the more he talks, the more Europe's
finest become determined to 'Kill Phil,'' said a PartyPoker
spokesman.
'Players such as Feldman, Frazer and Flood all have great form
in this format so The Poker Brat's definitely not going to be
impressed when he isn't made favorite to win.'
The tournament is a $7,000 buy-in, up from $5,000 last year, to
create a prize pool totalling $504,000, and will be broadcast later
this year on Channel 5 in the UK.