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The first ever World Series of Poker Europe set records for the largest prize pools for HORSE and PLO tournaments in European Poker History. The events, sponsored by Betfair.com, attracted poker superstars from all over the world to compete for the coveted WSOP bracelets for the first time outside of Las Vegas.

"We are pleased that we are establishing new records for live tournament play in Europe," said Jeffrey Pollack, WSOP commissioner. "Out of the gate, WSOP Europe has attracted many of the world's greatest players - all competing to win the first WSOP bracelets ever awarded outside the United States."

The star power of the WSOP Europe was in evidence at the final table of the HORSE event, where Jennifer Harman began the day as the chip leader in a field that included 2000 WSOP Main Event champion Chris ‘Jesus' Ferguson, popular British tournament pro Joe ‘The Elegance' Beevers and Gary ‘The Choirboy' Jones, who dyed his hair bright green to make a public statement about climate change and global warming. Adding WSOP wunderkinder, Kirk Morrison and Alex Kravchenko, brought the final table bracelet tally to nine before Thomas Bihl outlasted his seven competitors to claim the first ever WSOP Europe bracelet.

The Pot Limit Omaha event was similarly star-studded, as Dario Alioto overcame superstars like Tony G and Andy Bloch at his final table to take down the bracelet and the £234,390 first place prize money. These tournaments were by far the richest of their type in Europe, and the Main Event looks to be on the same track, needing three casinos to hold all the big-name players taking the felt this week.

The Main Event has seen entry by Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Greg Raymer, Johnny Chan, Jamie Gold and Scotty Nguyen, along with a plethora of other live and internet superstars, including some, like Jimmy ‘Gobboboy' Fricke, who aren't yet old enough to get into a casino in the US!

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