What Is 2007 World Series of Poker Europe

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) was the first international edition of the WSOP, held from September 27 to October 13, 2007, at the Empire Casino in London, England. It featured three official WSOP bracelet events, with Annette Obrestad winning the Main Event at age 18, becoming the youngest bracelet winner at the time.

Key Facts

First World Series of Poker event held outside Las Vegas, Nevada
Hosted at Empire Casino in London, England from September 27 to October 13, 2007
Featured three official WSOP bracelet events, including the Main Event
Annette Obrestad won the Main Event at age 18, becoming the youngest WSOP bracelet winner
Main Event had 362 entrants with a total prize pool of £3,981,000 (~$7.9 million)
Event was sponsored by PokerStars, which organized and funded the series
WSOPE marked the first time a WSOP bracelet was awarded outside the U.S.
Obrestad’s victory occurred on her 19th birthday, though she was 18 during play
Buy-in for the Main Event was £10,000 (~$19,800 at the time)
Introduced global recognition of European poker talent

Overview

The 2007 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) marked a historic expansion of the World Series of Poker brand beyond Las Vegas. Held at the Empire Casino in London, it was the first time official WSOP bracelet events were conducted outside the United States, signaling a strategic move to globalize the tournament.

This inaugural WSOPE was designed to bring international prestige to poker’s most recognized series. With support from PokerStars, the event attracted top players from around the world and introduced a new audience to high-stakes tournament poker.

First international WSOP event: The 2007 WSOPE was the first official WSOP series held outside Nevada, expanding the brand’s global reach.
Dates and location: The tournament ran from September 27 to October 13, 2007, at the Empire Casino in London, England.
Three bracelet events: A total of three WSOP gold bracelets were awarded, including the £10,000 Main Event, which drew 362 players.
Annette Obrestad’s record win: Norwegian player Annette Obrestad won the Main Event at age 18, becoming the youngest WSOP bracelet winner in history at the time.
Historic significance: This event marked the first time a WSOP bracelet was awarded outside the U.S., setting a precedent for future international expansions.

Event Structure and Format

The 2007 WSOPE featured a structured schedule of high-profile events designed to mirror the prestige of the Las Vegas series while adapting to European player preferences. Each event followed standardized poker rules under WSOP regulations, ensuring fairness and consistency.

Main Event Buy-in: The Main Event had a £10,000 (~$19,800) entry fee, attracting professionals and qualifiers alike from across Europe and beyond.
Player Age Restriction: Though Obrestad was 18 during play, she turned 19 on the final day, meeting age requirements for prize collection.
Prize Pool: The Main Event generated a total prize pool of £3,981,000, with Obrestad winning £1,000,000 (~$1.98 million).
Sponsorship:PokerStars sponsored and organized the event, funding travel and accommodations for qualifiers through online promotions.
Event Variety: In addition to the Main Event, two other bracelet events were held: a £5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha and a £2,500 H.O.R.S.E. event.
Media Coverage: The event received extensive coverage on ESPN and Eurosport, increasing visibility for poker across Europe.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2007 WSOPE Main Event with the 2007 WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas:

Feature	2007 WSOPE Main Event	2007 WSOP Main Event (Las Vegas)
Location	Empire Casino, London, England	Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Dates	September 27 – October 13, 2007	July 6–17, 2007
Buy-in	£10,000 (~$19,800)	$10,000
Number of Entrants	362	6,358
First Prize	£1,000,000 (~$1.98 million)	$8.28 million

While the WSOPE Main Event had significantly fewer entrants than its Las Vegas counterpart, it played a crucial role in legitimizing European poker talent on the world stage. The smaller field size reflected the novelty of the event but also highlighted regional differences in poker participation and accessibility.

Why It Matters

The 2007 WSOPE was a landmark moment in poker history, bridging the gap between American and European poker communities. Its success demonstrated that the WSOP brand could thrive internationally, paving the way for future events in France, the Czech Republic, and beyond.

Globalized the WSOP brand: Proved that the World Series of Poker could successfully expand beyond Las Vegas, increasing its international appeal.
Boosted European poker: Elevated the status of European players, with Annette Obrestad’s win inspiring a new generation of talent.
Set age records: Obrestad’s victory at age 18 made her the youngest WSOP bracelet winner until 2021, drawing media attention worldwide.
Increased media exposure: Broadcast deals with Eurosport and ESPN brought high-stakes poker to a broader European audience.
Encouraged online qualifiers: PokerStars’ online satellite system allowed amateur players to earn seats, democratizing access to elite events.
Established WSOPE as annual event: Due to its success, the WSOPE became a recurring fixture, held annually until 2015 and revived periodically thereafter.

The 2007 World Series of Poker Europe was more than just a tournament—it was a strategic and cultural milestone that reshaped the global poker landscape. By bringing the WSOP to Europe, it opened doors for international players and laid the foundation for a truly global poker circuit.