ESPN to Air World Series of Poker Europe

If you like watching the World Series of Poker you are in for a treat as ESPN has announced they will be airing the 2008 World Series of Poker Europe main event starting Sunday, February 1st. The main event had a total of 362 entrants and provided a lot of great action. The first two episodes will air on February 1st which just happens to be Super Bowl Sunday.

The ESPN schedule has two episodes each on February 8th, 15th and March 1st. The event took place in the Casino at the Empire in London over a six day period last year with the final table taking more than 19 hours to complete. ESPN 2 will be showing encore presentations of the event as well and normal co-hosts Lon McEachern and Norman Chad will call the action.

"The intimate look and feel of this tournament is different from other WSOP events we produced in the United States," said Doug White, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions. ESPN will also be using a Mobile Hole Card Camera for the first time so viewers will be able to see key hands from outer tables in addition to the main table.

"We believe the Mobile Hold Card Camera will provide fans a great understanding of the overall story behind the tournament, and how the players advanced to the final table," said Jamie Horowitz, ESPN senior sports producer.

IRISH Poker Championship Concludes

In other poker news, Rory Rees Brennan won the first major poker event of 2009, the 2009 Irish Poker Championship. 255 people entered the tournament and put up the €2,000 entry fee. A number of pros were among the field including Mike Sexton and Kenna James. Ben Vinson started the final table as the chip leader but was not able to pull off the win.

Also at the final table were Irish poker star Rory Liffey, Krzysztof Gwvszk from Poland, Rory Brennan and others. Vinson ended up finishing in third place and taking home €55,000 while Chris Dowling finished second winning €90,000. Brennan took home €160,000 for winning the title.