What Is 2008 World Series of Poker Europe

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2008 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) was the first official international expansion of the WSOP, held from September 6–18, 2008, at the Empire Casino in London. Anabel Medina Garrigues won the inaugural Main Event, becoming the first woman to win a WSOPE bracelet.

Key Facts

The 2008 WSOPE took place from September 6–18, 2008, in London, UK
It was the first World Series of Poker event held outside Las Vegas
Anabel Medina Garrigues won the Main Event, becoming the first female WSOPE champion
The Main Event had 362 entrants, creating a prize pool of £3,284,250
Peter Eastgate won the Main Event, defeating Ivan Demidov heads-up, becoming the youngest WSOP Main Event champion at age 22

Overview

The 2008 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) marked a historic milestone as the first official expansion of the World Series of Poker beyond Las Vegas. Held at the Empire Casino in London, the event ran from September 6 to 18, 2008, and introduced a global stage for the prestigious poker tournament series.

As the inaugural WSOPE, it featured three official WSOP gold bracelet events, drawing top professionals from around the world. The tournament was designed to grow poker’s international appeal and offer European players easier access to WSOP competition without traveling to Nevada.

First international WSOP event: The 2008 WSOPE was the first time the World Series of Poker held official bracelet events outside the United States, expanding its global footprint.
Empire Casino, London: The event was hosted at the Empire Casino in Leicester Square, a renowned entertainment venue that provided a high-profile setting for the tournament.
Three bracelet events: The schedule included a £1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event, a £3,000 H.O.R.S.E. event, and the £10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event.
Global participation: Over 700 players from 40+ countries participated across all events, showcasing the international draw of the new series.
Media coverage: ESPN and Eurosport broadcast the event, increasing visibility and helping popularize poker across Europe and beyond.

How It Works

The structure and format of the 2008 WSOPE closely mirrored the traditional WSOP in Las Vegas, with standardized rules, blind levels, and prize distribution based on field size.

Buy-ins: Event buy-ins ranged from £1,500 to £10,000, allowing both mid-stakes specialists and high rollers to participate in bracelet opportunities.
Blind structure: The Main Event used a 60-minute blind structure, increasing gradually to test endurance and strategic depth over multiple days.
Starting chips: Players began with 30,000 in starting chips, a standard amount designed to balance early survival with long-term strategy.
Prize pool distribution: The top 10% of finishers earned payouts, with the winner receiving approximately 23% of the total prize pool.
Gold bracelets: Winners received the iconic WSOP gold bracelet, a lifetime achievement symbol in professional poker.
Player eligibility: All players over 21 were eligible, with no nationality restrictions, emphasizing the event’s inclusive, international mission.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2008 WSOPE Main Event with the 2008 WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas:

Feature	2008 WSOPE Main Event	2008 WSOP Main Event (Las Vegas)
Dates	September 6–18, 2008	July 3–14, 2008
Location	Empire Casino, London, UK	Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Buy-in	£10,000 (~$19,000)	$10,000
Entries	362	6,844
First Prize	£800,000 (~$1.5 million)	$9,152,416

While the WSOPE attracted a smaller field than its Las Vegas counterpart, it offered a more intimate and accessible format. The lower buy-in in dollar terms and reduced field size made it appealing to European professionals and rising stars, helping establish a foothold for future international events.

Why It Matters

The 2008 WSOPE was a pivotal moment in poker history, signaling the globalization of the WSOP brand and opening doors for future international expansions. Its success paved the way for WSOPE events in subsequent years and inspired satellite series across Europe.

Globalized poker: The event demonstrated that high-stakes poker could thrive outside the U.S., encouraging future WSOP circuits in Asia and Australia.
Increased accessibility: European players no longer needed to travel to Las Vegas, reducing costs and increasing participation from regional talent.
Media growth: Extensive TV coverage helped popularize poker in non-English-speaking markets and boosted sponsor interest.
Female representation: Anabel Medina Garrigues’ win highlighted growing opportunities for women in professional poker.
Young champions: Peter Eastgate’s victory at age 22 made him the youngest WSOP Main Event winner at the time, inspiring a new generation.
Legacy: The 2008 WSOPE laid the foundation for the WSOP’s international growth, including the WSOP International Circuit and online series.

The 2008 WSOPE was more than a tournament—it was a strategic evolution in how poker is played, broadcast, and celebrated worldwide. Its legacy continues to influence the structure and reach of modern poker events.