News / Editor / 28 July 2008 / Leave a comment

This year's World Series of Poker had been dubbed the 'Year of the Pro' with a large number of bracelets picked up by the more established stars, but the Main Event proved to be in stark contrast as some lesser-known players made the Final Table, writes Rob Eddy.

With such big fields that can be the way, as the winners over the last few years in the Las Vegas Main Event have proved, but we could expect the same again when the WSOP Europe kicks off this September.

Last year saw Norwegian youngster Annette Obrestad land the big one in London, winning the coveted gold bracelet a day before her 19th birthday, when she beat fellow Team Betfair pro John Tabatabai heads-up.

And that was with the likes of Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan and Gus Hansen in what turned out to be a vastly smaller field of 362, compared to the WSOP ME turnout of 6,358 last year.

So who could take the glory this time around? Obviously it would be foolish to write off the big guns, who time and again prove their class at the tables around the world, but there is always the chance that another lesser light will come through and make a name for themselves.

One such person is Nottingham's Chris Bruce, who has won back-to-back main event titles in Dusk Till Dawn festivals, no small feat in itself.

Bruce, who made the final table at the Manchester Leg of the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour last year, took down the main event of the DTD 3-2-1 weekend before claiming top prize in last weekend's £750 mini festival.

On the face of it, it may not look the greatest achievement but there were some quality fields which included the likes of WSOP finalist James Akenhead and GUKPT champion Marc Goodwin.

These kinds of results would certainly give the victor plenty of confidence to go to the WSOPE in a couple of months time, knowing they had the game that can land the big prizes.

There is obviously the chance that someone, like me (although I doubt it), could qualify for the WSOPE through the many satellites that are on offer on Betfair, sit down with the big boys and emulate the likes of Chris Moneymaker, making myself an instant millionaire.

Here is hoping anyway!