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While there are major poker tournaments held throughout the year, many professional poker players consider the Las Vegas World Series of Poker to be the equivalent to the playoffs of any major sporting event. In fact, before the WSOPE, the only way to earn a WSOP tournament bracelet in professional poker was to travel to participate in the main event in Nevada - although WSOP tournament events are held throughout the world.

Based in Europe, The WSOPE stands for World Series of Poker Europe and is the only event where a WSOP bracelet can be awarded to a tournament winner outside of the main WSOP event held every year in Las Vegas, Nevada. The best WSOPE qualifier poker sites recognize that it is not always possible for poker players in Europe to make the trip to the United States every year to participate in the WSOP main event. These poker sites offer a solution by including WSOPE qualifier events in their tournament roster.

WSOPE Qualifier Poker Site - Party Poker

Often considered synonymous with WSOP qualifier tournaments, Party Poker also offers a full schedule of WSOPE qualifier tournaments for players that wish to participate in the event. The qualifiers at Party Poker are not just available for the main event - but for other events at the tournament such as PL Omaha and H.O.R.S.E.

WSOPE Qualifier Poker Site - Full Tilt Poker

WSOPE qualifier tournaments at Full Tilt Poker are available both for small buy ins and for Full Tilt Points. Satellite tournaments start at $1.00 and progress to higher buy in tournaments like the $500.00 + $35.00 WSOPE qualifier tournament offered every week. For the smaller WSOPE qualifier tournaments, you can buy in for as little as 50 FTP rather than paying cash.

WSOPE Qualifier Poker Site - Bodog Poker

Bodog Poker offers a substantial prize package for the WSOPE that includes all expenses totaling more than $20,000. For example, you will receive $500.00 to spend on whatever you like, airfare to London, your hotel stay, a private limo and, of course, the full buy in required to participate in the tournament.

What is the WSOPE?

The WSOPE was founded in 2007 as a tournament based in Europe but not open exclusively to European players. In fact, since 2007 several WSOP bracelet winners have participated in the WSOPE tournaments. There are several key differences between the WSOP and WSOPE, ignoring location, of course. The WSOPE is often open to younger players than the WSOP due to differing laws as to the legal age of gambling in Europe. In addition, the WSOPE is considered to be a higher class of tournament than the WSOP to reflect the general atmosphere of European brick and mortar casinos. For example, the WSOP commissioner, Jeffrey Pollack suggested that a dress code be enforced that would require players to adhere to a dress code (requiring blazers) while playing in the tournament. He was quoted as saying that he would like the tournament to look as if it was "hosted by James Bond."

The World Series of Poker Europe is held in England every year during the fall (so that it does not coincide with the summer holding of the WSOP in the United States). The first winner of the WSOPE in 2007 was Thomas Bihl, who succeeding in defeating 4 WSOP bracelet winners to win the first ever WSOPE bracelet. The winner of the main event and the £1 million prize was also the second youngest bracelet winner of all time, Annette Obrestad. The 2008 main event winner of the WSOPE was John Juanda with King of Spades and Six of Clubs. In 2009, Barry Shulman won the main event with a pair of Tens for a £801,000 prize package. Both the 2007 and 2008 WSOPE events involved 362 participants. The 2009 WSOPE event involved slightly less entries with 334.

Why do Poker Sites Offer WSOPE Qualifier Tournaments?

The best WSOPE qualifier poker sites offer qualifying tournaments for the WSOPE consistently throughout the year. Although the WSOPE is certainly not as popular as the main WSOP, the best WSOPE qualifier poker sites can usually be found at poker sites that cater primarily to players in Europe - where the tournament is held. Unlike WSOP qualifiers, the best WSOPE qualifier poker sites can offer tournaments that directly fund your participation in the tournament with the buy in, your transportation and any hotel stays and meals covered. Look for the best WSOPE qualifier sites that offer the entire WSOPE package rather than simply covering the buy in leaving you to cover other expenses associated with participating in the tournament.

How WSOPE Qualifiers Work

WSOPE qualifiers are typically not single tournaments that send you to the main tournament. Instead, the usual format of WSOPE qualifiers work as a series of tournaments that, by doing well in, can secure you a position at the main event. Technically, like the WSOP, the WSOPE can be entered by almost anyone that posts the appropriate buy in. However, by participating in qualifiers at the best WSOPE qualifier poker sites, you are competing for a free or reduced price seat at the tournament or invitations to participate in some exclusive events at the actual tournament. The best WSOPE qualifier poker sites offer multiple venues for you to compete in the WSOPE with varying prize packages and levels.