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WSOP Day 20: European News Roundup

European Omaha Experts Come out to Play at the World Series of Poker But Discontent Is Evident

by Brendan Murray  |  Published: Jun 20, 2007

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Day 20 of the 38th World Series of Poker saw many of the European big-hitters among the 293 participants for the $1,500 pot-limit Omaha rebuy tournament (event 33), but the event structure sparked controversy.

Many players voiced their discontent over the blind structure that saw blinds start at $50-$100. Irishman Padraig Parkinson was outspoken in his opinion. 'It's a disgrace,' he said. 'It's all about Harrah's making more juice. It's a pure money-making exercise and the Players Advisory Committee should resign.'

Parkinson, who is suffering from a cold, said he would not have traveled to the Rio to play had he known the structure in advance and that he considered asking for his money back. In the end he played and shared a table with Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott, Juha Helppi, Max Pescatori, and former World Champion Greg Raymer.

Elsewhere, the Boatman brothers, Ross and Barny, were at a table with their old Late Night Poker sparring partner Dave 'El Blondie' Colclough.

Donnacha O'Dea shared a table with fellow countryman Adrian Walsh and Sammy Farha and Donnacha's son Eoghan had Phil Ivey to his left.

Noah Boeken drew Erik Lindgren, Clonie Gowan, and Humberto Brenes. Other notables included Ram Vaswani, Surinder Sunar, Julian Gardiner, William Thorson, John Gale, Chris Bjorin, and Sigi Stockinger.

At the end of play for the day, 51 players remained including, Ulliott, Vaswani, Parkinson, Gardiner, Bjorin, Colclough, and Eoghan O'Dea, who will all return to vie for the $464,867 first prize.

Day two of the $2,000 seven-card stud tournament (event 32) saw Kirill Gerasimov, Marcel Luske, Jeff Lisandro, and Alexander Kravchenko among the 88 starters.

Luske managed to make the cash, busting in 22nd for $3,877 and Lisandro made the final table and is guaranteed $6,203.

Day two of the $5,000 world championship heads-up no-limit hold'em tournament (event 31) saw Briton John Kabbaj beat Sean McCabe to advance to the final 32, but he tripped up in his next match against Carmel Petresco and was gone, collecting $16,582.

Finnish star Thomas Wahlroos made it to 14th place for $23,030.

The $3,000 limit hold'em game (event 34) saw only moderate European interest with Jan Thater (husband of bracelet winner Katja) and Marco Traniello participate.

The final table of the $3,000 no-limit hold'em tournament (event 30) was bereft of Europeans, as Steve Wong from the Netherlands busted out in seventh on the final table bubble for $47,339. The event was won by Hoyt Corkins, who took home $515,065.

Thursday 21 June sees the final of the $5,000 world championship no-limit hold'em tournament and day two of the $1,500 pot-limit Omaha rebuy event. The $3,000 limit hold'em tournament advances to day two and the $1,500 no-limit hold'em game and the $5,000 pot-limit Omaha high-low eight-or-better tournament both begin.

Keep your browser locked on CardPlayer.com for comprehensive European news, live ipdates, and Pro Blogs from the WSOP.

 
 
Tags: clonie gowan,   surinder sunar,   late night poker,   marcel luske,   sammy farha,   alexander kravchenko,   pot limit omaha,   ram vaswani,   noah boeken,   juha helppi,   erik lindgren,   jeff lisandro,   william thorson,   fellow countryman,   phil ivey,   max pescatori,   john gale,   world series of poker,   stud tournament,   partner dave
 
 
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