What Is 2017 World Series of Poker Europe

Overview

The 2017 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) marked the ninth edition of the international extension of the famed World Series of Poker. Held at King's Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic, the festival brought together top poker professionals and recreational players from over 60 countries.

Spanning nearly a month, the series featured high-stakes tournaments across multiple variants, culminating in the prestigious €10,350 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event. The event solidified Europe’s growing influence in the global poker scene and offered record-breaking prize pools.

• October 19–November 10, 2017: The official dates for the 2017 WSOPE, making it one of the longest-running international poker festivals of the year.
• King's Casino: Located in Rozvadov, this venue became the permanent host of WSOPE starting in 2017 due to its state-of-the-art poker facilities and central European location.
• 10 bracelet events: Players competed for WSOP gold bracelets in games including No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and 8-Game Mix.
• Mojtaba Abedini: An Iranian player who won the Main Event, earning €1,125,000 after defeating a field of 546 entrants.
• €550 buy-in entry events: Lower-stakes tournaments allowed amateur players access to compete for official WSOP titles and significant prize money.

How It Works

The WSOPE operates under the same structure as the Las Vegas-based WSOP, with players earning bracelets through tournament victories. Each event follows a multi-day format with escalating blinds and structured play.

• Bracelet Event: A tournament where the winner receives a WSOP gold bracelet and international recognition. 10 such events were held during the 2017 series.
• Buy-in: The entry fee to participate, ranging from €550 for small events to €111,111 for the 'Big One for One Drop' charity tournament.
• Chip Stacks: Players start with predetermined chip counts; in the Main Event, each received 50,000 starting chips with 25,000 starting blinds.
• Blind Levels: Increase every 30–45 minutes depending on the event, designed to steadily reduce player fields and increase pressure.
• ICM (Independent Chip Model): Used in later stages to calculate payout fairness based on chip counts, especially during final table negotiations.
• Final Table: The last nine players compete for the largest prizes, with the event streamed live and commentary provided by poker media outlets.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key 2017 WSOPE events and their U.S. counterparts in terms of structure, buy-ins, and prize pools.

The European series attracts fewer entrants than its U.S. counterpart due to higher travel costs and a more exclusive player base, but offers comparable prestige and life-changing payouts. The 2017 WSOPE’s diverse event lineup catered to both casual players and elite high rollers, enhancing its global appeal.

Why It Matters

The 2017 WSOPE played a pivotal role in expanding poker’s global footprint and legitimizing non-U.S. markets for major tournaments. Its success in Rozvadov demonstrated that world-class poker events could thrive outside Nevada.

• Global Accessibility: By hosting events in Europe, the WSOPE made it easier for international players to compete without the cost of traveling to Las Vegas.
• Increased Prize Pools: The 2017 series generated over €12 million in total prize money, fueled by high buy-in events and strong participation.
• Media Exposure: Events were broadcast globally via PokerGO and live-streamed, increasing visibility and fan engagement.
• Player Diversity: Competitors from 62 countries participated, highlighting the game’s international appeal and cultural reach.
• Charity Integration: The 'Big One for One Drop' event raised funds for clean water initiatives, linking high-stakes poker with social impact.
• Legacy Building: The 2017 WSOPE helped establish King’s Casino as a premier poker destination, influencing future event locations.

With its blend of competitive integrity, international participation, and media innovation, the 2017 WSOPE set a benchmark for global poker events and reinforced the WSOP’s status as the sport’s premier tournament series.