This is one of those rare weekends in the United Kingdom where everyone goes a little bit mad for gambling. While there are people who look down on us gamers and gamblers at other points in the year when it comes to the Grand National, it is fair to say that Britain loves a flutter. The thought of horses being used in burgers has been one of the biggest stories of the year so far so it will be good to have a weekend where the horse focus is on the racing. Whatever your opinion on the Grand National is, and hopefully the improved safety measures brought in will result in fewer horse fatalities, there is no doubt that this is a major gaming event.
Of course, the majority of us poker fans like their gambling a bit more regularly than once a year and it is good to know that there will still be poker events taking place this weekend to look forward to. There is no getting away from the fact that the biggest poker event in the world this weekend will be taking place half the world away.
Typical “Brits Abroad” behaviour from Sam Trickett!
Down under, WSOP have geared into life and the WSOP-Asia Pacific event is already underway. Sam Trickett has already tweeted images from Melbourne but rather than pictures of the stunning views or some local wildfire, he has pictured a serious hangover kit! Perhaps it is not all going to be work related fun in Australia but hopefully Sam is just having some initial party fun down under before he gets down to the serious business of winning poker tournaments. Sam is the captain of Team Europe in the international event so he will have plenty of people looking to him for advice and leadership. Perhaps that what the Berocca and bottles of water are for, to make sure that all of his team are bright-eyed and bushy tailed after a night out on the town.
There are going to be a number of major events streamed live around the world and for the first time ever there will be a WSOP bracelet handed out down under. All in all, the WSOP-Asia Pacific event looks set to be a festival of poker with lots to look forward to.
While the WSOP-APAC event is going to be a big poker draw, some players may be holding off and instead turning their attention to the WPT Barcelona event. This starts on Friday the 5th of April and continues all the way through until Thursday the 10th of April so there may even be the opportunity for some keen poker players to fit in both events if they are so desired.
Those looking for live poker action a little closer to home will surely have an interest in Westernmania which is taking place at the Western Club in Acton, London from Friday evening. This may not leave you with a lot of time to get involved with the event but as there is a £250,000 guaranteed prize pool on offer, you will likely be able to shake yourself quickly into action. The final opening flight of the event is taking place on Friday evening so this really is the last call for the event.
The final flight gets underway at 7pm on Friday evening but if you are quick off the market, there will be a chance to play in a satellite event from 4pm. Given that this is a £33 satellite event, getting along early may be the best thing you can do. One poker player is going to be in line to grab £75,000 at the end of this event so there is definitely a huge incentive. It will be far from the biggest poker field that gathers in London to play for big money so there may be a slightly better chance of success if you get involved.