European Poker

Posted:October 2009

Poker is first and foremost known as an American game. The biggest tournaments (compare sites offering the best poker tournaments) are played in the US, and a majority of the best players in the world are Americans. However, the European poker market is growing rapidly. Whether you visit an Internet casino or play in a big live tournament you will run into Swedes, Italians, Englishmen, and so on. The events on the European Tour attract large starting fields of top class players, and the prize pots are enormous.

On March 11, American Jeff Williams took home the 2nd EPT Grant Final in Monte Carlo, and received a prize check of $1,084,037. A US player won the event, but behind him eight of the top 10 finishers were European.

Top European Poker Players

European players are starting to make their way up the all time money list as well. The ranking is based on winnings in major poker events. Six players from Europe are among the top 50 names:

21. Carlos Mortensen, Spain, $ 3,806,481

Mortensen became world champion of poker in 2001, and has finished in the money in WSOP events seven more times, including one victory. He won the The Doyle Brunson North American No Limit Hold'em Poker Championship in October 2004, and has finished in the money in WPT events six more times.

27. Dave "Devilfish" Ulliot, Great Britain, $3,418,821

Ulliot has won one WSOP event, and has finished in the money 17 more times. He won the The Fourth Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open on the World Poker Tour in January 2003, and has six more WPT money finishes.

31. Gus Hansen, Denmark, $ 3,340,552.

One of the most successful players on the World Poker Tour with three victories and five more money finishes. Hansen hasn't done as well in the WSOP. His best performance there is a 150th place from 2004.

32. Martin de Knijff, Sweden, $ 3,148,579

De Knijjf won the World Poker Tour World Championship in April 2004.

42. Maciek Gracz, Poland, $ 2,603,480

Gracz won the PartyPoker.com Million IV in March 2005.

46. Marcel Luske, the Netherlands, $ 2,395,949

Luske has finished in the money in WSOP events ten times.