WPT Venice Recap; PKR Goes Live; East End Poker

Hellmuth’s Grand Entrance and Quiet Exit in Venice

Day 1B of WPT Venice got underway yesterday and, while the field contained more players than the previous day, there’s was one stealing the headlines: Phil Hellmuth.

Making a characteristically tardy appearance, Phil decided that it was time to do as the Venetian’s do and arrive at Casino di Venezia on a gondola in a traditional Venetian outfit.

Looking like an extra from the Phantom of the Opera, Phil took to the felt with the best of intentions but only managed to last one level.

Having bled some chips in his first few hands, Phil eventually committed his chips with [8c] [5c] on a [8s] [6h] [2h] [7s] [Qh] board. Unfortunately, Fernando Cimaglia equalled Phil’s bet with [Js] [8d] to oust Phil and take the chip lead with 175,000 at the close of play.

In total, 108 players on Day 1B took this year’s overall WPT Venice field to 173 and at the start of today’s session 91 players still had their eyes on the $180,097.

At the time of writing more than 10 players had already hit the rail, while the likes of Mike Sexton, Ludovic Lacay and Cimaglia continued to bolster their stacks.

For the GPI rankings of Day 2’s survivors click here and for live updates from the event, click here.

PKR’s Avatars Come to Life

PKR’s seventh Live festival returns this Friday for another weekend of fun, frolics and poker.

Drawing players from across Europe, including PKR pros such as Scott Shelley and Sofia Lovgren, the three day event will feature a $500 Main Event inside Aspers Casino, London.

Also on the bill will be a selection of side events, Sit & Go tournaments and cash games for players of all bankrolls and abilities.

Indeed, known as the home of entertaining poker, PKR has promoted their latest Live event as the tournament that sets the “standard for friendly, affordable live poker”.

Date                      Time         #             Event                                    Buy-in

Fri 29 March       12:00     1              Main Event (Day 1)         $500 (online only)

Fri 29 March       20:00     2             Deep Stack Turbo            £50+£5

Sat 30 March      12:00     1              Main Event (Day 2)

Sat 30 March      17:00     3              2 Day Event                    £100+£10

Sat 30 March      20:00     4              Deep Stack Turbo           £30+£5

Sun 31 March     14:00     1              Main Event (Day 3)

Sun 31 March     16:00     3              2 Day Event (Day 2)

Sun 31 March     18:00     5              8-Max Event                     £50+£5

Poker in London’s East End

Aspers Casino in London has been a Mecca for live poker recently with the WPT, PartyPoker Premier League and PKR Live bandwagons all visiting the UK’s first super casino in the last few weeks.

Following close behind some the industry’s largest hitters on Friday May 10 will be Black Belt Poker’s East End Live II.

With a $50,000 prizepool and a buy-in of just $225, the local event will feature some of Europe’s top players, including Richard Ashby and Neil Channing.

Last year Sonny Pomroy took down the first East End Live for $13,300 after defeating 391 runners.