Party Poker Nations Cup(credit: Channel 4)
Six teams of poker players will descend on Cardiff, Wales between the 7th and 10th of April, 2008. Each team hails from a different nation and is comprised of five of that country’s best poker players and one VIP qualifier.
The event, which is sponsored by PartyPoker.net and will be aired on Channel 4 later this year, takes place in six heats. At the end, all players take part in a ‘tag’ team tournament in which the final chip counts will depend upon the league’s standings throughout all of the heats.
This year’s event features teams from Great Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Holland and the United States. The Swedes are the reigning champs and are looking to defend their title and their national honor in the event. They’d also like a stab at the $100,000 first place prize, the bragging rights and the cool trophy.
Roland de Wolfe is the captain for team Great Britain. Joining him are Poker Million champ Joe Beevers, Ian Frazer, Surinder Sunar, 2008 Irish Poker Open Champion Neil Channing and qualifier Francis Durbin.
Germany will be led by Michael Keiner. Andreas Krause, Benjamin Kang, Sebastian Ruthenberg, winner of the Party Poker German Open, and Thomas Bihl, WSOP Europe bracelet holder, will also be there. Rounding out Team Germany is qualifier Thomas Potzel.
Marcel “The Flying Dutchman” Luske is taking the helm of Team Holland. He’s joined by Daan Ruiter, Thierry & Eric Van der Berg and qualifier Quirijn Van der Peet. There is an open slot on Team Holland. Luske will make his selection known prior to the start of the tournament.
Ireland has put Padraig Parkinson in charge. The legend has tapped Donnacha O’Dea, 2007 Irish Poker Open Main Event winner Marty Smyth, Ciaran O’Leary and Liam Flood, a winner of the 2007 Party Poker Open European Championship.
Sweden’s captain for the second year in a row is Bo Sehlstedt. William Thorsson, Johan Storakers, Mats Rahm and Anders Henriksson will represent for the Scandinavian nation. Sweden’s qualifier is Johan Ocklind. Ocklind’s played against Patrik Antonius, Ilari “Ziigmund” Samahies and Tony G – so he’s been battle tested and is ready to go.
Finally, the United States put Robert Williamson III in charge of its team. Williamson, an Omaha specialist, has tapped two WSOP Main Event champs to be a part of his crew. Jamie Gold and Chris Ferguson are heading to the UK to play in the event. Joining them are Freddy Deeb and Chad Brown. Talk show host Montel Williams will round out the team with some star power.
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