If you are a fan of poker then the summer of 2014 is a very special one as the World Series of Poker (WSOP) celebrates it’s 10th anniversary at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino by guaranteeing that the winner of the $10,000 Main Event will walk away with a minimum of $10m.
What has made this summer even more special is the excitement generated by the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Granted, the USA is not the most over exuberant lover of a game they call soccer, but with the American national team punching above its weight, and poker players from all over the globe strumming up interest, the 45th Annual World Series of Poker has been a memorable one.
So are people more excited about the WSOP of the World Cup? Poker journalist and football fan Barry Carter couldn’t decide which one he is more excited about, and talking to the poker players here at the Rio the overwhelming consensus is they love both. So I sat down with poker players from all over the world to ask them to share their World Cup memories and this is what they had to say.
Finland is not a country that you associate with the World Cup finals, but they don’t do too badly when it comes to poker. One of their better players is Lauri Pesonen and here are his World Cup memories.
What’s your abiding World Cup memory?
Just the name Davor Suker, as there was something about him.
What’s been your highlight of the 2014 World Cup?
The way that Ghana played against the Germans once they got the hang of it. It seemed like they were really enjoying themselves on the field.
Who is going to win?
I really hope Holland takes it down, but I’m afraid it will be Germany lifting the trophy once again.
Who is your favorite player?
My favorite player was Jari Litmanen. It’s too bad we never made it to the World Cup whilst he was leading our country.
Griffin Benger is one of the most feared online tournament poker players, in the world, where he plays under the moniker ‘Flush_Entity’. Benger hails from Canada, and despite preferring ice hockey to football, still has his own World Cup memories.
What’s your abiding World Cup memory?
My Father actually took me to the World Cup in France in ’98. He was so dead set on me having a memorable experience he bought me a ticket to the third place play-off between Netherlands and Croatia from a scalper. He decided he was only comfortable buying one ticket at those prices so gave me strict safety instructions, and waited outside the exit at the end of the game for me to come out. I was shoved between a bunch of suits, in one of the front rows at the age of 13, well before kids had cellphones.
Who is going to win?
I’ve never been a big football guy but I watch the highlights for each and every game. Germany and Netherlands look quite in form so they’re my favorites.
Who is your favorite player?
Messi has, and probably always will be, my favorite player. He’s a once in a generation talent and we’re all lucky to be able to watch him.
In 2012, Fraser Macintyre came so close to winning a European Poker Tour (EPT) title after finishing runner-up to Frederik Jensen in the €5,300 Main Event in Madrid. Here are the Scotsman’s abiding memories.
What’s your abiding World Cup memory?
My favorite memory of the World Cup was watching Scotland giving Brazil a real test in the opening game of France 1998. To play so well and deserve something from the game against the world champions in such a prestigious match was inspiring. Unfortunately, we still weren’t good enough to progress.
What’s been your highlight of the 2014 World Cup?
Favorite moment so far in this finals, was standing on a beach in Marbella watching Italy play England on the big screen surrounded by a mixed crowd, and watching the England fans wildly celebrating a world class goal by Sterling, only to discover that it had hit the side netting. Cue rather sheepish behavior by said fans.
Who is going to win?
I hope Columbia win this year. Mainly because I’ve drawn them in a sweepstake.
Who is your favorite player?
I thinking watching Pirlo still bossing midfields at his age, in a tournament of this stature has to be seriously admired.
The 2014 World Cup was an absolute disaster for the reigning champions Spain, but that didn’t stop the former EPT Barcelona final tablist Amatos Gomila describing his World Cup memories.
What’s your abiding World Cup memory?
My favorite World Cup moment has to be in 2010 when Iniesta scored the winning goal that handed us the World Cup in the last few minutes of extra time.
Who is going to win?
I think Brazil is going to win on home soil.
Who is your favorite player?
My favorite player is Ronaldo.
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