WSOP to WSOPE: Expanding the World Series of Poker
Since 1970 when Binion’s Horseshoe launched the first ever World Series of Poker, (WSOP) nobody thought that the same event would be as popular as it is today. One of the major changes happened when Harrah’s Casino bought the rights to the World Series of Poker from Bonion’s Casino is 2004.
Since then the WSOP is being held at one of Harrah’s Entertainment casinos. Nobody ever argued that Binion’s has brought about the great WSOP idea and has nurtured the event throughout the years. But since Harrah’s takeover, more and more good things happened to the WSOP. One of these improvements is the expansion of the WSOP to Europe.
The Beginnings of the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE)
The Worlds Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) came to be after Harrah’s takeover of the WSOP rights in 2004. It was then later that Harrah’s purchased a chain of casinos in London. These casinos are under the London Club International (LCI). After the takeover, it was then decided to expand the WSOP into Europe.
Since the first WSOP, the event has always been situated in Las Vegas. After Harrah’s decision to expand the event to Europe, the WSOPE came into being, and for the first time, the event took place outside of Las Vegas in one of Harrah’s recently purchased casino in London. But the World Series of Poker still follows the same tradition as the original WSOP in Las Vegas. As a matter of fact, the same golden bracelet will be used as the symbolic award to the event’s winner.
There will be some unique features to the European event to create some distinction to the original WSOP, b But the difference will be minimal as to not totally alienate the European expansion.
The First WSOPE
In 2007 at one of LCI’s casinos, the first ever World Series of Poker Europe was held. The WSOPE was launched with three events. There has been skepticism regarding the success of the WSOPE because of the saturation of poker events in Europe, but the success of the WSOP in the United States and the recognition of the WSOP golden bracelet have made it possible for WSOPE to stand out.
The WSOPE also consisted of a somewhat different crowd than its Las Vegas counterpart. The WSOPE consist of a younger set of players compared to the original. This is mainly because of the age limit for gamblers in the United States which is set at twenty one (21) years old. While in Europe, the players could be admitted at eighteen (18) years of age. As a matter of fact, the WSOPE holds the record of having the youngest player to win the WSOP bracelet, and it is by 18-year -old Annette Obrestad.