At that table were Raul Mestre and Victoria Coren, who would go on to finish first a second. It was a duel not short on drama, with this hand, shown exclusively below, typical of the excitement of the event; a bluff, re-bluff, re-re-bluff that left everyone, not least commentator Jesse May, aghast with awe…
After the intricacies of the Nations Cup yesterday and all that duplicate poker involves, The Table takes on a more familiar look, a no-limit Texas hold’em tournament played as a regular knock out tournament, with the final nine players returning tomorrow.
Right now 135 players are making their way to County Hall for a reception before taking their seat in the Rotunda. What they’ll find when they get there is one of the most spectacular settings for a poker tournament anywhere.
While the EDF Energy London Eye provided for breath taking scenery, the setting for The Table is more akin to a subterranean refuge for poker players who found this place not with a map or compass, but a sixth sense that told them they were required here. The rest were invited in the traditional way and are sipping champagne in the player reception.
At stake this weekend is a share of a $500,000 prize pool. The competition will be tough, the action fast and fairly strenuous with a structure designed to leave only a handful of these, the best players in the world, still playing at the end.
Play is due to start at 1pm. Live coverage throughout the day can be found on the IFP Blog.