Texas What Now?
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You get a lot of passing interest in this tournament from people in the heart of London visiting the Empire Casino. It takes up about half of the place, with tables spread in various areas, up and down stairs, nestled behind the bar etc. and you can't fail to notice a crowd of press and fans around certain more famous players' tables. So there is a conversation which occurs frequently:
"What are they playing?"
"Poker - tournament - World Series of Poker Europe."
"How much are they playing for?"
"Well, the buy-in is £10,000, so the top finishers will win a proportion of the prizepool made up of everyone's entry."
"What? £10,000 to play!"
"Yep, these are some of the most successsful, richest, or generously sponsored players on the planet. It's a good tournament to watch."
"Wow. I don't know anything about poker, but that guy in the hat sure is getting celebrity treatment."
Then there's another sort, very rare but eye-opening every time:
"What is the game?"
"Hold'em tournament."
"Can anyone play?"
"Sure, if you have £10,000."
"What date does it run until?"
"28th."
"When can you buy in?"
"Until two levels in to today."
"Can I buy in over there?" (Points to registration desk)
"Sure."
"OK."
"Good luck."