British Invasion at the 2011 WSOP
Maybe there's renewed confidence in battling the Americans on their home shores in these days of Black Friday, Blue Monday and the closing down of numerous online poker sites suspected of using illegal means to process player payments. Or maybe the rest of the world is just catching up with the Americans and this year is the turn of the Brits to make an impact.
Out of forty bracelets ultimately available, three have gone to the British. One was Jake Cody's victory in the $25k Heads Up Event – he also scooped just over $850,000 for that win. Next up was Matt Perrins' rather unlikely victory in the $1500 2-7 Lowball No Limit Event – an event that he'd never played before. After the first day he was still in the game and realised he needed some advice so turned to Youtube for a quick tuition session. The rest is history and Matt was the second bracelet winner (the second placed placed player was also British chap Chris Bjorin).
The most recent win was Darren Woods demolition of a 354 strong field which resulted in a $213,000 profit for the poker pro. In addition, as of June 14th, eight Brits had also been present on the final tables. The British and other non-Americans have also been making the most of their opportunities to play online – there's nothing illegal about it for them - so while the locals retreat to the bars and the hotel room televisions, they go off and practice on their laptops.
Las Vegas is somewhat used to the rowdier element of British supporters - boxer Ricky Hatton has taken huge followings with him whenever he's fought there but the world of live poker is not so used to soccer style chants and shouting. Beer concessions have unsurprisingly been emptied as the fans drink their way through the casino's supplies. Expect the support to get more boisterous if the winning streaks continue. Perhaps it's now difficult to argue that poker is not an exciting spectator 'sport' after all.
