by Howard Swains

Flight 1C. Everything that can be said about the opening moments of the opening days has already been said several times. We are used to it: there are a lot of people, a frenzy of excitement, a buzz of anticipation and a clatter of chips. There are also these qualifiers and notables, among countless others, representing Europe and PokerStars this afternoon, evening, night and tomorrow.

Stuart Beaton (Scotland) – a second-time PokerStars qualifier, he qualified through a field of 180 runners in a $33 tournament. Last year’s World Series was his first live event and after 12 hours made a set on the flop with pocket eights. Runner-runner straight sent him packing.

David Flusfeder (England) – a novelist from London, David is playing in his first World Series but is a habitual final table finisher in various tournaments in the casinos and clubs of the south of England.

Bertrand Grospellier (France) – a former pro-gamer turned SuperNova extraordinaire. Needs little introduction to anyone at PokerStars; he won the SuperNova race at a canter and is one of the biggest online players in the world.

Neil Channing (England) – among the best-known and most popular London-based professionals, this former bookmaker, part-time writer and full-time raconteur is playing in his umpteenth World Series and has five cashes in various series events over the years.

Arshad Hussain (England) – last year’s PokerStars qualifier is this year’s sponsored player. And why not. Ash capped a spectacular year on the European circuit by placing second in the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo. He has been a consistent high-placed finisher and is currently No 1 in the European rankings.

Christian Grundtvig (Denmark) – Fierce and fearsome Danish pro, with a freshly gleaming WPT title to his name. Grundtvig triumphed in the main event at the Aviation Club de Paris in June to claim the $900,000 first prize. A serial PokerStars qualifier, he also finished fourth in the EPT Baden event last October.

Eirik Kolaas (Norway) – Had a final table finish on the EPT last year, as well as a cash in the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in January. Fresh-faced but dangerous at the tables, Kolaas is another of the Scandinavian contingent with every chance to transfer European domination to the United States.