Poker hopeful Anestis Metsas cashes in his $1 million dream on opening day of WSOPE
The World Series of Poker Europe has started in spectacular style today, Betfair has made the dreams of 23 year old Anestis Metsas from Greece come true to the tune of $1 million dollars. Beginning the day as one of 18 amateur online qualifiers competing in Betfair’s Free Million Dollar game Anestis walked away from the Casino at the Empire a millionaire!
Starting his exciting Free Million Dollar journey back in April, Anestis qualified for the final table via a series of online freerolls and a live regional qualifier, which featured thousands of poker challengers eager to make their mark. Battling it out against a strong field of players each of who had qualified from their respective region, he competed at the Free Million Dollar final table today for a grueling 10 hours against an impressive field of players set on securing a major win and a place in World Series of Poker Europe history.
Encountering fierce competition Anestis went up against Piergiorgio D’ ancona (Italy) and Kevin Michoud (France) during the climax of the Free Million Dollar Game. Anestis winning hand of AJ was too strong for Kevin Michoud’s K9 who missed his flush draw. Anestis intends to share his winnings with friends and family and begin his spending with a luxury holiday to Phuket – a place he has always dreamed of visiting.
Leaving the casino with a million dollar smile and cheque Anestis Metsas said: “Coming into the final table I knew I was up against 18 tough players and was hoping I could stay with the British and Scandinavian guys. The early stages were frustrating every time I had good cards, people didn’t want to go in and when I had bad cards everyone wanted to get involved in the big stacks.”
He added: “It’s unbelievable to have won, this amazing win has given me the confidence to believe I can compete against the best players in Europe and the rest of the World. Having won I’m now going to buy my way into the £1,000 No Limit Hold’em tomorrow and after that who knows.”
Renowned for bringing the biggest names in world poker together under one high rolling roof the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) presented by Betfair takes place in London from 17th September to 1st October. As the most prestigious event to take place outside of the US, the tournament has rapidly gained a reputation for being one of the toughest and most exciting in the world. Last year’s record breaking 21 hour final table witnessed Juan Juanda defeat the Russian protégé Stanislaw Alekin to clinch the WSOPE Main Event title.
Pushing poker rivalries to the limit, the unique qualifying set up for the World Series of Poker Europe means that online qualifiers and established poker pros go head to head for the estimated £1,000,000 Main Event prize and coveted WSOPE bracelet. Taking place annually at the ‘Casino at the Empire’ in Leicester Square the event also attracts its share of celebrity card players including sporting legends such as Shane Warne and Boris Becker as well as celebrities such as Danielle Lloyd.
The full 2009 World Series of Poker Europe event schedule is as follows:
September 17th – Free Million Dollar Game Final
September 18 – 21 : £1,000 + £75 – No-Limit Hold’em (two starting days)
September 21 – 23 : £2,500 + £150 – Pot Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha
September 23 – 25 : £5,000 + £250 – Pot Limit Omaha
September 25th – Caesars Cup
September 26 – October 1 : £10,000 + £350 – World Championship No-Limit Hold’em (two starting days)
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