What a Wonderful World Series for Europe

As predicted by your humble Bureau Chief in the July editorial of Card Player, Europeans not only surpassed 2007's bracelet haul, they positively demolished it. With 11 bracelets from 54 events (compared to six in 2007) and with two Europeans awaiting their destiny at November's main event final table, things have gone stellar for European poker across the Atlantic.

After a slow start, the Europeans rolled up their sleeves and prepared to slap on the bracelets - Germany (3), Italy (2), Russia, Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, France, and Belgium all have new poker heroes.

And there were some agonising close calls.

Our sympathies go out to Dane Rene Mouritsen, who came second for the third time in two years in a bracelet event. The $445,000 dollars will be some consolation, but what price can you put on a bracelet? Surely his day will come soon.

James Akenhead from England got his chips in ahead with just Grant Hinkle to beat for a bracelet but fell victim to the cruelest of flops and lost out. He will remain one to watch. Rasmus Neilsen from Denmark and Daniel Makowsky from Switzerland also had second place finishes and will be hoping for greater things in the future.

If these statistics indicate one thing, it is that the poker world is shrinking and the game is no longer dominated by Americans. The European Poker Tour, Irish Open, Amsterdam Master Classics, and hundreds of mid-level buy-in tournaments across Europe have provided players with all the experience they need to take a shot in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, which remains the pinnacle of poker achievement.

Read all about the European tears and triumphs in this month's WSOP So Far and European Bracelet Winners features.

World Series of Poker - A New Dawn

The 39th World Series of Poker attracted 58,720 entrants, with players coming from 118 countries, compared to 54,288 entrants from 87 countries last year.

A total of $180,676,248 in prize money was awarded this year, compared to $159,796,918 last year, while the $10,000 world championship no-limit hold'em main event at this year's Series attracted 6,844 players, up on last year's 6,358.

By any of these measures, this year's renewal of the greatest poker festival on earth has been a resounding success. But success is not necessarily measured in numbers alone. A straw poll of players and media at Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino found that most believed things had been improved this year. From the quality and choice of food, the space available for players, and the reduced queuing, to the sympathetic media support from the organisers, it seems that problems have been addressed in practical and creative ways.

It is no less than deserved. Congratulations and thank you to those who worked tirelessly to make things better for all those who love the game. Long may it continue.

Danes - Probably the Best Poker Players in the World

New research by Card Player, in the form of our World Tracker global poker tournament tracking feature, shows that per capita, Denmark has the most successful tournament players in the world. This may come as something of a surprise to our ever-confident U.S. cousins, who rate as the second-best, but is unlikely to raise more than a cool "Ja!" from the smooth Scandinavians. Readers can see the current standings on the inside back page.