European Poker Awards

After a hugely successful year British poker players have received half of all nominations, and at least one nominee in each category, for this year’s European Poker Awards

In this year’s European Poker Awards the British have truly been honoured by receiving half of all category nominations. A number of household names such as Liv Boeree, Sam Trickett and Toby Lewis are all inline to receive an award at the tenth annual EPAs.

The awards have been split into the following categories: Player of the Year, Internet Player of the Year, Outstanding tournament performance, Europe’s Leading Lady, Rookie of the Year, Personality of 2010 and there will also be a Lifetime Achievement Award given. For the first time, the British are truly in a strong position this year with at least one nomination in each category.
The British players had a great year on the European Poker Tour circuit and they also managed to win a highly impressive five bracelets at the World Series of Poker.

It was Liv Boeree who got the year started last April when she won the EPT Main Event in San Remo and took home €1.25 million. Soon after Boeree’s success, Toby Lewis had success at the EPT Vilamoura Main Event where he won a nice €467,000. Finally, the PokerPlayer columnist, Roberto Romanello, finished the year in true style by winning the EPT Prague Main Event for €640,000 and this came only a few months after Jake Cody had managed to win the EPT Deauville, taking home a nice €847,000.
The EPT success was copied over the summer by British players taking part in the World Series of Poker. They managed to win five WSOP bracelets which was a new record for British players. Praz Bansi was the first to win a bracelet when he won the $1,500 No Limit Hold’em tournament and took home $515,000. The next success came from James Dempsey in the $1,500 Pot-Limit Hold’em and won $197,000. The third British player to win was Richard Ashby at the Seven Card Stud $1,500 buy-in tournament which gave him a nice $140,000. Mike Ellis was next in the $1,500 No Limit Hold’em tournament and finally was Steve Jelinek who won the $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo Split-8 or Better tournament.

Everyone is eagerly anticipating the European Poker Tour awards ceremony which will take place in Paris on the 13th of February. It looks as though the British will definitely have something to celebrate that night.