Online Poker Rooms: Where Are The WSOPE Satellites?

With the World Series of Poker Europe nipping at our heels, there is one question that seems to be bugging online poker players as a whole: Where are the WSOPE Satellites and Qualifiers?

Apparently, they’re supposed to be exclusively on Betfair Poker – the sponsor of WSOP Europe - however, Full Tilt Poker has somehow managed to get in on the action. I did take notice of Full Tilt Poker’s promotional campaign, where the online poker room managed to present their satellites and qualifiers without ever using the words “World Series of Poker Europe”, “WSOP Europe” or even “WSOPE”. Instead, Full Tilt Poker is deeming its promotion “European Series 2008”.

I can only assume that online poker rooms are not allowed to use this trademark name on their web site, therefore have not bothered to offer sending their players to Europe’s most lucrative live poker tournament.

Then again, maybe they’ve shied away from the expensive aspect of WSOPE prize packages. After all, the original, North American World Series of Poker costs $10,000 to buy-in. WSOP Europe costs £10,000 to buy-in. That may seem like the same price, but in reality, due to currency conversion rates, it’s actually near double the cost. £10,000 GBP rounds out to roughly $20,000 in USD; $19,969.25 to be exact.

Somehow I seriously doubt cost had anything to do with it. PokerStars, for example, sent more than 2,000 of its players to the WSOP this year. I doubt they’d mind sending a few more to London.

Whatever the case may be, Full Tilt Poker is offering daily satellites and weekly qualifiers to the “European Series 2008”. Satellites start at only $1 or 50 poker points, awarding entry to the weekly qualifiers, or buy-in directly for $500+$35.

Full Tilt Poker will be awarding $25,000 prize packages to the WSOPE - I mean, "European Series 2008" - each week until August 31, 2008.

The WSOPE will kick off September 19th, running 4 bracelet events and 5 non-bracelet events up until the end of the final, 5-day event – World Championship NL Hold’em – on October 2nd.