GPI First Look: WPT Alpha8 Johannesburg

After a few months layoff, the WPT Alpha8 series is back on track with the presentation of WPT Alpha8 Johannesburg in picturesque South Africa:

SPEND VALENTINE’S DAY WITH HIGH ROLLING FRIENDS

Philipp Gruissem (GPI#6) will look to win his third WPT Alpha8 event in a row as some of the biggest names in the game have congregated in Johannesburg to play a little $100,000 US buy-in tournament on Valentine’s Day – how romantic!

Back to business. Gruissem’s attempt to win yet another WPT Alpha8 title will certainly not be a walk in the park. For starters, at least three other members of the GPI Top 10 will be in action on Friday. Dan Smith (GPI#4), Jason Mercier (GPI#5) and Erik Seidel (GPI#9) will all be part of the lineup.

Also expected to enter the halls of the Emperors Palace Hotel Casino is poker legend, and recent Aussie Millions 250K Challenge winner Phil Ivey (GPI#305) … and let’s not forget about Big One for One Drop Champion Antonio Esfandiari (GPI#67), who will also be looking for a big win in Johannesburg.

ALPHA8 DEBUTS MARCH 16

The World Poker Tour announced in late January that its WPT Alpha8 100K buy-in tour would premiere on Sunday, March 16, 2014 on FS1.

The premier event presented will feature  Steven Silverman (GPI#43) and  JC Tran (GPI#308) battling for supremacy at WPT Alpha8 Florida, from the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood.

For those outside the US, please check your local listings for broadcast details in your country.

DEFENDING MAIN EVENT CHAMPION

›› PHILIPP GRUISSEM 

Born ›› Krefeld, GER
Resides ›› London, UK
Team ›› Free Agent
Twitter ›› @TheRealPhilbort

GPI# ›› 6  |  PoY# ›› 353
GPI Score ›› 3478.73

Career ›› Wins: 7  | Cashes: 28  |   Top 10: 20
Earnings ›› 2014: $80,480  |  Career: $8,056,774

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