As the old axiom says, “There’s no rest for the wicked,” which could be said about the tournament poker world as its denizens flood the Italian city of San Remo for the next stop on the European Poker Tour.
The EPT San Remo has traditionally been one of the most popular events on the EPT calendar, perhaps due to its location on the shores of the Mediterranean but more likely due to the intense poker play. In the past, the tournament was one of the final tournaments on the season schedule in April, right before players headed to the EPT Grand Final. For the Season Eight tournament schedule, however, EPT officials decided to move the popular tournament up, hence its start today at the Casino San Remo.
Not only has the EPT San Remo been a popular sojourn for many of the poker world’s elite, it has also been the spark that has sent many of today’s popular pros into the poker stratosphere. At the first ever EPT San Remo in 2008, a then-aspiring pro by the name of Jason Mercier captured the championship. One year later, the tournament cracked the 1000 player mark by drawing in a monstrous field of 1,178 players, all of whom were vanquished by Constant Rijkenberg.
2010 saw history made on the tables at the Casino San Remo. The tournament drew a record field of 1,240 players, making it the largest tournament ever held in EPT history. There was also history made at the final table as the United Kingdom’s Liv Boeree captured her first ever major championship and became only the third woman (behind Vicky Coren and Sandra Naujoks) to ever win an EPT championship. Earlier this year, the U. K.’s Rupert Elder defeated a stacked final table that included Germany’s Max Heinzelmann, Canada’s Xuan Liu and Russia’s Max Lykov to take home the championship.
Coming on the heels of the World Series of Poker Europe, which was just completed yesterday, you may think that players would want to take a break from playing. It is exactly the opposite when looking at the itineraries for many of the top players, however.
There are several top players who have moved on from Cannes to San Remo, ready to put up their €5000 to take part in this latest EPT tournament. On Twitter, J. C. Alvarado chirped to his followers, “Very well rested before Day 1 of EPT San Remo. Going no iPod and 100% focused for this one again.” Steve O’Dwyer, who has had a good run in Europe due to his runner up finish at the last EPT stop in London, said, “Playing Day 1A of EPT San Remo in a few minutes. Took 5th in the $300 turbo last night in my first Italian MTT. It is fun to play here.”
They are joined by Matthew Waxman, who shared a cab ride with Jason Mercier to be ready for Day 1B play tomorrow; defending champion Elder, who Tweeted, “Time to do a win!”; Team PokerStars Pro David Williams, who admitted, “It’s my first time here and I’m anxious to play.”; and Kevin MacPhee, who commented, “Feel amazing after a relaxing visit to Monte Carlo yesterday. Ready to crush.”
The cards for Day 1A hit the air this afternoon (San Remo time) and the tables are packed with popular professionals. Taking their places on the felt are Vanessa Rousso, 2011 WSOP bracelet winner Nick Binger, Jennifer Harman, James Dempsey, Lex Veldhuis, Scott Seiver, Mercier and Liu. Players off to good starts include Jon Duthie and MacPhee, while Daniel Negreanu, Arnaud Mattern and Rousso have dropped below their starting stacks and pro David Vamplew has already been eliminated.
There are no exact numbers for entrants for Day 1A, as late registration is still ongoing to give the stragglers from the WSOP-E a chance to get in on the action. The total field size will not be known until after tomorrow’s Day 1B, but expect the field to approach 1000 players, as it did in April (with a 988 player field) for the Season Seven tournament. The final table will be held next Thursday and is to be streamed live on the website of the EPT.
