The £2,500 H.O.R.S.E. event is scheduled to start at 2pm GMT. Team Poker News is in position on the floor at the Empire Casino to provide live updates, chip counts, photos, and videos. Stay tuned for the action.
Marissa Chien & Phil Hellmuth
As you may have read from our pre-event coverage, last night saw the inaugural World Series of Poker Europe kick off with a swanky party here at the Empire Casino. The drinks flowed freely as many of the games top professional players mingled in anticipation of the week's action.
You can check out our Video Gallery to see some great footage from the party.
During the party, a charity tournament, "Ante Up for Africa," was held, with many players jumping in for the £500 entry. Fresh from the success at this year's WSOP in Vegas, the event is designed to aid the relief effort for Darfur region in war-torn Sudan. Las Vegas local and 'accountant to the stars' Marissa Chien was the eventual winner, earning a seat in the $5000 Ante Up for Africa event in Vegas.
It's a glorious day in Central London and the Empire Casino is a fabulous place to play poker. The decor is very Bond-esque and a lot of the players are dressed fittingly.
I've just spotted Phil Hellmuth signing autographs in the lobby.
After a short rules introduction by Jack Effel, the WSOP commissioner Jeffrey Pollack spoke for a bit. He welcomed everyone to the inaugural event of the WSOP-Europe. He mentioned, "You are all a part of history!"
