In a slight break from tradition the 91 players of day 1a begin with 15,000 chips with blinds in this first level at 25/50. So who’s here?
Noah Boeken – Holland – Team PokerStars
Two final tables in season one of the EPT, including the Copenhagen title. Whilst he’s in the record of becoming the first player to win two EPTs is always a possibility.
Dario Minieri in action
Dario Minieri – Italy – Team PokerStars
Technically the new boy of Team PokerStars, Dario is known as one of the most aggressive and dangerous European players. Eliminated at the hands of Dario means you’ll likely have a story to tell.
Pascal Perrault – France
Pascal won in Vienna back in season one and has been a consistent performer in European events since then.
Johnny Lodden – Norway
A master of the internet game, the type of player who is the source of legend. Still looking for his first big live poker win the EPT is a likely place for that to happen.
Andy Black
Andy Black – Ireland
Finished fifth in the WSOP main event in 2005 and, with two more final table appearances in the WSOP this year not to mention his seventh place in the EPT Grand Final last season, is one of the top tournament players in the world.
Marcel Baran – Germany
The young German professional finished third in the EPT London last month picking up $379,387. He’s looking to go at least one better here in Ireland.
Brandon Schaeffer
Brandon Schaefer – USA
Whenever he enters an EPT things usually happen. He’s won one, come second in another. Candidate for ‘Player most likely to win a second EPT.’
Dave Colclough
David Colclough – Wales
The Welshman is a former European Player of the Year, and has made six WSOP final tables. He also won the fourth leg of the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour earlier this year.
Barny Boatman – England
One of the most popular players on the circuit Barny cashed in the H.O.R.S.E. event at the WSOP Europe in London and has a long list of titles to his resume.
Martin Wendt
Martin Wendt – Denmark
Another fixture on the EPT, with four cashes. Easy to pick out in a crowd thanks to his shaved head and almost trademark huge headphones.
Jan Sjavik – Norway
Jan seemed almost unstoppable in the EPT season three, finishing third in London (behind eventual winner Vicky Coren) and memorably tenth in Copenhagen when he recovered from chip and a chair syndrome. He also has 11 WSOP cashes since 2000.
Erik Seidel
Erik Seidel – USA
One of the most accomplished players in the world with eight WSOP bracelets to his name. He famously appears in the movie Rounders, where his defeat to Johnny Chan in the WSOP in 1988 is shown (repeatedly).
Rob Hollink
Rob Hollink – Holland
Winner of the EPT Grand Final in season one as well as a bundle of tournaments around the world. He still pursues an elusive WSOP bracelet but trying has been profitable – 17 WSOP cashes to date.
‘ElkY’
Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier – France – Team PokerStars
The former gamer spent several years living in South Korea as a professional ‘Starcraft’ player before switching to online poker. After success in that he turned to live poker – the highlight so far being his second place finish in a gut-wrenching final at the EPT Copenhagen last January against Magnus Petersen.
