Poker Writer
WSOP Europe has announced that this year’s series will include a unique new no-limit hold’em event, the “Rounder Cup,” pitting European players against the rest of the world. The competition’s name is likely a nod to golf’s Ryder Cup, although other sports also have their own equivalents, such as the Laver Cup in tennis.
In poker’s version, Europeans and non-Europeans will have separate day one flights before the player pools combine for the later stages of the tournament. While the idea is to promote national pride and spark playful rivalries, the format isn’t to everyone’s liking. Still, geographical competitions are an idea worth exploring.
PokerScout spoke to Swiss poker player Maureen Bloechlinger, the founder of Globetrotting Poker and a regular around the European poker scene. She is in the top ten “flag hunters,” a contest promoted by tournament results-tracking sites in which players try to collect tournament cashes in as many countries as possible.
‘Pitting’ Players Against Each Other or Friendly Competition?
When asked about her thoughts on pitting players against each other based on nationality, Bloechlinger didn’t think it was a fitting way to describe it.
“I play mainly in Europe and we see different nationalities at the table all the time. And of course some countries have more regional pride than others. I wouldn’t say it’s ‘pitting’ players against each other but more of a friendly competition. I’m looking forward to seeing it”
The friendly competition element is likely to be correct in the first year of this event. Playing on European soil where the majority of players are European will also likely keep the atmosphere more friendly.
But there is potential for this event to become more confrontational in future versions, especially if it is brought to the USA in some capacity. There is some tension in the American poker world toward “Euros,” a term often used pejoratively and in association with the stereotype of players with a tendency to spend a long time “in the tank” when it’s their turn to act.
There has also been a recent trend of traveling European pros seeking out soft competition in other parts of the world, including at Texas card houses where they will often playing long hours at the cash game tables. That sometimes creates a cultural conflict with locals, who accuse the visitors of being antisocial at the table, using scarves to cover their mouths and necks, and taking a long time to make decisions. Adding to the resentment is the fact that the touring players are generally better players than local, recreational-leaning regulars and tend to walk away with the lion’s share of the money.
A thread on Reddit, “Are Euro pros killing live poker in Texas?” debates this topic, with many agreeing that the European players are taking over. One local, who goes by “KDog,” posted a controversial YouTube video calling on rooms to bar non-Americans from the games. This, of course, comes at a time when American xenophobia is at its most intense level since World War II.
Hopefully, that drama is unlikely to make its way to the WSOPE tables in Prague, as the Rounders Cup will not only be Europeans vs. Americans but also include players from Asia and the rest of the world.
Are the European Players at a Disadvantage?
There is some question about whether the format will disadvantage European players, given that it will be the larger starting flight and that field’s reputation for being stronger overall.
Bloechlinger shared her thoughts on a potential disadvantage for the Europeans:
I think European players are picked on a lot by Americans, especially on X. They tend to take more time to make decisions. Without a shot clock, perhaps the European flight will be at a disadvantage because we will be seeing less hands if everyone is tanking.
Others have speculated that the advantage will run the other way, as recreational players are disinclined to travel far. By that logic, the non-European pool will have a higher concentration of elite players, as they’re the ones more likely to make a commitment to travel to another continent to play.
Prague: a Better Destination For Internationals than Rozvadov
The number of players from the rest of the world is expected to improve greatly for this WSOPE thanks to the venue change to Prague. The world-renowned capital city is a far more attractive travel destination for Americans and Asians alike than the in-the-middle-of-nowhere location of Rozvadov, which was killing the WSOPE’s potential.
Bloechlinger also shared the excitement for the new destination in Prague:
When the change was announced. I was pretty excited. I am looking forward to this event, Europe vs the rest of the world. I’m curious as to how many players from the rest of the world come now that it is in Prague.
Prague is a really amazing destination. I hope to see more international players. In Rozvadov it drew something like 90% European crowd. I’m looking forward to seeing some more of the famous poker players (from abroad) coming to WSOP Europe again.
How Much Regional Pride Will There Be?
The key to making this event work will be the level of regional pride. According to Bloechlinger, she has not heard of any plans for anyone to wear coordinated team or country outfits. But something like that could be a small thing to generate pride.
An American player who PokerScout talked to said he does not really care about national pride in poker but does find it interesting nonetheless:
Personally, I don’t really care about representing the USA or whatever when I’m playing an individual game. But I do think this event will be interesting to see how well we Americans do over on ‘enemy territory’ while outnumbered. I think the average European player is better, but the Americans going over there to WSOPE are gonna be crushers.
This event will likely need some tweaks and a few years to really generate the regional and national pride necessary for it to have some ‘juice’. The idea of national-team poker competitions has always been interesting, but there have to be enough players who care about it for it to really catch on.
