This weekend the sector Cup of Poker (WCP) kicks off its tenth annual event - and this time around it looks somewhat different...
In 2014 the world's premier team poker event is happening in a format that brings all the world's biggest poker nations together for the primary time in years. It is all online, it is all heads-up No Limit Hold'em and it is all in Play Money.
Starting long ago in 2004 the sector Cup of Poker debuted with repeat wins for Costa Rica - probably the most early hotbeds for the expansion of the sport. Within the years because the game has grown and the list of winners has become more diverse, with out a nation managing to emulate the inaugural champions. Winners have varied from poker powerhouses corresponding to the U.S. (2007), Germany (2009) and current champions Russia, to smaller more surprising countries equivalent to Poland (2006), Taiwan (2010) and Peru (2012).
This time around anything can happen in a format that allows absolutely anyone to play.
There are 96 countries (split across eight groups) lining up at the beginning line for the qualifying matches on Saturday and Sunday. All you must represent your country is the 1K chips to shop for in. When you or considered one of your countrymen wins either of the qualifying tourneys this weekend your nation will make it to the knockout stages - starting with the Round of 16 on Saturday, November 29.
Once within the knockout stages there are over 500M in added play chips to be won. But be warned, because the competition progresses throughout the rounds the buy-ins increase. The sector Cup of Poker Final on December 20 includes a buy-in of 100K chips but with 200M added chips!
Here's how the groups shape up for the weekend's action:
Group A (Asia Pacific): Matches at 04:00 ETFavourite - AustraliaMain contenders - Taiwan (former champions), China, New ZealandUnderdogs - Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Group B (Central Asia): Matches at 08:00 ETFavourite - Russia (reigning champions)Main Contenders - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, IndiaUnderdogs - Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates
Group C (Europe & Africa 1) - Matches at 12:00 ETFavourite - Italy (former champions)Main Contenders - France, Denmark, HungaryUnderdogs - Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Slovenia, Tunisia
Group D (Europe & Africa 2) - Matches at 12:00 ETFavourite - United KingdomMain Contenders - Belgium, Austria, UkraineUnderdogs - Algeria, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyrpus, Ireland, Montenegro, Switzerland, Turkey
Group E (Europe & Africa 3) - Matches at 12:00 ETFavourite - Germany (former champions)Main Contenders - Poland (former champions), Romania, LithuaniaUnderdogs - Armenia, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia
Group F (Europe & Africa 4) - Matches at 12:00 ETFavourite - SpainMain Contenders - Netherlands, Sweden, NorwayUnderdogs - Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, South Africa
Group G (Americas 1) - Matches at 18:00 ETFavourite - Usa (former champions)Main Contenders - Costa Rica (2 x former champions), Mexico, ArgentinaUnderdogs - Bahamas, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela
Group H (Americas 2) - Matches at 18:00 ETFavourite - BrazilMain Contenders - Canada, Peru (former champions), ColombiaUnderdogs - Bolivia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Guyana, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago
To discover more concerning the World Cup of Poker please visit the dedicated web page.
Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com]
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