European Masters of Poker at its Climax

Having started out with 231 players at the impressive Card Casino in Prague, the Czech capital, the competitors have been whittled down to the final nine players.  During the course of the competition, a total of twenty seven players have been paid out.  However, the nine left remaining are all hoping that they will go home having claimed the top prize of almost 59,000 Euros.  There is plenty to play for with the ninth finish player claiming just 5,540 Euros. 

Interestingly, the final field is comprised exclusively of European players, four of whom have not had far to travel, as they are themselves based in the Czech Republic.  However, it is Irishman Kevin Spillane who enters the final table with the biggest chip count.  A big result in Prague would be a massive achievement for Spillane, who has previously cashed in at relatively small amounts, including a first place finish in a Dublin mini WSOP last November.  Spillane took a ten-year break from tournament poker until making a return last year.  A good finish in Prague would be another important step as he returns to the scene.

Spillane is joined at the felt by Irish compatriot Connie O’Sullivan.  One of the leading lights in the Irish poker industry, O’Sullivan will also be looking for possibly the biggest finish of his tournament career.  To date, he has posted three live cash results.   Yet another contender hoping for a maiden big money finish is German player Sven Bahsen, who has recorded just one tournament cash prize to date.  Swedish player Nils Jarefjall goes into the final table with a healthy stack, but with precious little live big game experience behind him, he will also do well to claim a big money prize.

Perhaps the most experienced challenger in Prague is Dutchman Pim van Wieringen.  The Dutch master is a veteran of live events, having appeared in illustrious tournaments the world over, including Aussie Millions and the 2010 Partouche Poker Tour Final.  His first major live victory came at the 2007 WPT Legends of Poker event in Los Angeles and he has since claimed victory at Rigged in Riga in 2009 and the WSOP Main Event a year later. 

Of the home grown Czech players, Martin Dragun has taken home cash from three live tournaments, including a creditable 29^th place in the 2011 World Series of Poker.  His compatriot Roman Ondrusek will be pinching himself as he is a virtual unknown on the scene.  Could he record a fairytale finish?  It would be a similar surprise if either of the inexperienced Czech pair of Pavel Byma or Martin Safarik walked away with the big prize come the end of the day. 

On the face of it, Pim van Wieringen looks to be the favourite, but the beauty of the game is that anything can happen.