Even though the WSOPE did not receive even near the same attention from the media or the poker world that the Las Vegas rendition does, it does not mean that the event is not nearly as special. James Bord found this out in the best way possible. He’s gone home with a nice hefty £830k prize and a WSOP bracelet

The British poker has been crowned the 2010 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event champion after a 13-hour long final table battle and in doing so became the first British WSOPE Main Event winner.

Bord was understandably ecstatic following his win, especially as he was so close to a bracelet in this year's WSOP (he came sixth): “I never thought I would win a bracelet. Being so close, you just never know when it’s going to come again. And it’s even more special to win it in my hometown. It’s just something very special.”

The event which was held at the Empire in Londons Leicster square ended up qith a heads up balttle with Fabrizio Baldassari, an Italian player

As per usual, Phil Helmuth has to try and out do the rest of the poker world and show off. On day 1A of the WSOP, the 11 time WSOP bracelet winner decided that the best course of action would be that of entering the Casino at the Empire in Leicester Square accompanied by 11 Lady Gaga impersonators – one for each of his bracelets.

The arrival which happened just outside the casino featured a full rendition of Lady Gaga’s Poker Face.

Helmuth said in a press release “I was pumped to see such a huge crowd gathered at the Empire like never before when I arrived to take my seat at the WSOPE. Quite the arrival I’d say. The London double-decker, the brass band and 11 Lady Gaga’s all add up to the most unique media event in poker so

The Poker Brat's Gaga inspired entrance follows Julius Caesar and Phil Hellmuth lookalike inspired arrivals in previous years.

The WSOPE starts today so I suppose its best that we push out a little information regarding the event. This is London’s month in the world poker spotlight and it being with the event that will put it there is the World Series of Poker Europe.

Harrah’s purchases the rights tot the WSOP in 2004 and later they purchased London’s Club International which operates a couple of casinos in the London are. After this purchase, Harrah’s decided to expand its WSOP label into the European market. The WSOPE was entering a crowded field as many major poker tournaments were already established in Europe. Pollack, however, believed that brand recognition of the WSOP and that the "WSOP bracelet is the most recognized poker hardware globally will allow the WSOPE to quickly catch up.

Here is the schedule for the 2010 event:

Event 1: Sept. 14-Sept. 16: 2,500-pound six-handed no-limit hold 'em
Event 2: Sept. 16-Sept. 18: 5,000-pound pot-limit Omaha
Event 3: Sept. 17-Sept. 21: 1,000-pound no-limit hold 'em
Event 4: Sept. 21-Sept. 23: 10,000-pound "High Roller Heads-Up" no-limit hold 'em
Event 5: Sept. 23-Sept. 18: 10,000-pound championship no-limit hold 'em