Swimmer Invited to Leave the Pool for a Poker Table

The 2008 Summer Olympics recently came to a dramatic end in Bejing. Throughout the course of competition days, some of the most heated action of the Olympics could be found in the swimming pool. One Olympic competitor in particular took centre stage and swam his way into headlines across the world. That swimmer is none other than United States competitor Michael Phelps.

Phelps earned a record breaking eight individual gold medals during the Olympic Games. He dove into the water and effortlessly swam across the pool to the envy of all who watched the performances of his. His skill and athleticism earned him the nickname ‘human dolphin’ for good reason. This is not the only nickname that Phelps has made for himself. After being spotted at a poker gaming table following the conclusion of the Olympics, many started calling him a ‘shark’ as well.

Event organizers for the World Series of Poker Europe took note of this new dry-land activity. Conversations were had and before long, Betfair was involved in bringing this famed swimmer from the pool to the poker playing tables for the event. Betfair is the official sponsor of the World Series Poker Europe event.

A personal invitation has been extended to Michael Phelps for him to take a shot at the £1,000,000 prize pie for the event. Walking away a winner of this event will earn him a coveted ninth gold medal in the form of the equally coveted World Series of Poker bracelet. An enticement to this personal invitation came with Betfair paying the £10,000 entrance fee for Mr. Phelps.

This prestigious World Series of Poker event will play out in Leicester Square starting September 19th and running through October 2nd. It is looked to as the Superbowl event of the poker playing community. The best of the best will vie for a seat at the gaming tables. With a location outside of the United States, it is the next best thing to the major competition bearing the same name held in Las Vegas each year.

Amateur poker players will take a seat next to some of the greatest names in poker all trying for a chance at the coveted winner bracelet and £1,000,000 prize jackpot. Before play officially gets underway, there will be a variety of qualifying events held around Europe. Anyone who can afford the £10,000 buy-in fee or win a seat through a satellite tournament or free roll event is welcome at the gaming tables.