Although the first event of the World Series of Poker Europe culminated in a final table of respected and recognisable pros, the ante has been upped substantially in the run-up to today’s £2,500 H.O.R.S.E. finale. As play ended at 4.30 AM on Wednesday morning, only eleven players remained from the elite field that had assembled earlier in the week. Playing five different games – Hold’em, Omaha Eights-or-Better, Razz, Seven-card Stud and Seven-Card Stud Eight-or Better – the 110 runners comprised one of the toughest and most celebrated fields ever. Yet as Doyle Brunson, Patrik Antonius, Mike Matusow and David Benyamine (amongst many others) all bowed out, a number of huge names still remain;

1. Howard Lederer, 208,500
2. Sherkhan Farnood, 141,500
3. Yuvan Bronshtein, 133,500
4. Phil Ivey, 114,000
5. Jeff Duval, 112,100
6. Spencer Lawrence, 88,500
7. Jeff Lisandro, 84,000
8. Mark Gregorich, 82,500
9. Ivo Donev, 79,500
10. Kristian Eriksson, 43,000
11. Raul Paez, 17,500

Today’s final table will begin when those eleven have been whittled down to just eight.