The PartyPoker.com Irish Poker Championship is the first major tournament in Europe in 2009 and is held at the Radisson SAS Hotel overlooking the glorious Galway Bay from the 2nd - 4th January 2009. The hospitality and craic at the tournament is legendary, with everyone having fun no matter how far in the main event they get. Among those expected to take part in January are Mike Sexton, Padraig Parkinson, Neil Channing and defending champion Jude Ainsworth. The package is worth $5,000, including the $2,800 buy-in, $1,000 spending money and accommodation in a luxury hotel. The main $250 +$25 online satellite takes place at 14.15 ET every Sunday where for every 20 players a package will be rewarded. This Sunday’s online satellite already looks set to give away four or five packages.

The Asian Poker Tour Philippines is also one of the most popular tournaments - PartyPoker.com players who went to last year’s event gave it five star reviews! Last year’s tournament was won by Australian professional David Saab, who took home the guaranteed first prize of $280,000 and the recent Asian Poker Tour Macau was attended by the likes of Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan and John Juanda. Held in Manila from January 27th – February 1st, this is one tournament not to miss. The package is worth $6,000 and includes accommodation at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, the $2,500 + $200 buy-in and $2,500 spending money. Main online satellites are on Sundays at 15.55 ET and on Wednesdays at 04.05 ET where packages will be awarded for every 20 players.

The PartyPoker.com World Poker Showdown takes place on the 23rd January 2009 at a luxury resort in the Dominican Republic. The $6,500 package includes the $2,650 buy-in to the main event, $1,500 spending money and seven days’ accommodation at the all-inclusive Sun Village Resort. The main online satellite takes place every Thursday at 18:30 ET and for every 10 players a $6,500 World Poker Showdown package is awarded.

Many players have already got themselves a credit crunch and winter night busting bonus after taking part in PartyPoker.com’s largest ever online tournament last Sunday when the King of the Table was crowned in the $2,000,000 guaranteed. Congratualtions to TheMArf and DonkeyStyle2 - both from Germany, who were the big winners that day.

PartyPoker.com King of the Table $2 Million Guaranteed $600+40 - 3,499 entrants - $2,099,400 paid out to 400 spots – the top nine and payouts were:

1. TheMArF $277,849
2. DonkeyStyle $267,994
3. EEEEGON $123,864
4. TutidtiTa $94,473
5. makido111 $75,578
6. Snowking1 $59,832
7. Ivyleaf999 $46,186
8. Stel_77 $34,640
9. gregior $24,143
10. MintyOne $13,646

“This is brilliant and I am so happy,” said Tran. “I have been feeling good all week and it is amazing to win this event. Until this week I had never played in Europe before - I really couldn’t ask for more! Perhaps I should move here!  I would like to thank everybody who has made my trip to London such a wonderful experience.”

Tran has a close knit group of friends who he travels with on the poker circuit and they were all there to watch him triumph in a spectacular and masterful fashion at the deep-stacked final table. World class pros Nam Le, Quinn Do and David ‘Chino’ Rheem were there for their friend cheering him on every step of the way. Tran reached the final table as chip leader, as the favourite to win with www.partybets.com, and the overall league winner after fantastic displays that saw him pick up three first places and two second places in the heats. It wasn’t all plain sailing though as Tony G fought hard and also provided a spectacular domineering performance to finish runner-up.

At the start of the heads-up, Tony G had the advantage and held 1,150,000 to JC Tran’s 780,000. It looked like it was going to be Tony’s day until a key hand turned everything on its head. Pre-flop, a super confident Tony G raised to 75K with 8s 6s and Tran called with 10h 8c. After the flop came 10d Qh 6d Tony led out with 95K, which was called quickly by Tran. The turn brought a Qs and Tony bet 110K that prompted JC to raise it up to 260K. Tony folded and JC gained the chip lead and there was no going back. With the blinds at 20K/40K, Tran limped in with 9c 7d and Tony checked with Ks 8d. The flop came 5d 7h 6h and Tony G checked raised all-in only to be called by JC. Tony needed a king, four or nine to double-up and take a formidable chip lead. The turn came Js and a 2s on the river gave Tran victory. “I brought my best game but it just wasn’t good enough,” said Tony G, who played some spectacular poker on a final table that exhibited huge skill and class.

The action at the start of the final table certainly didn’t take long to get going and it was the fifth hand of the night that swung the balance of power. Unsurprisingly, Tom ‘Durrr’ Dwan was at the centre of the action, just like he had been all week.  Tony G raised pre-flop with 10s 9h and was re-raised another 21,000 by Durrr with Qc 4c. Tony G called and the flop came down 4d Jc 10c. Durrr bet  43K and Tony moved all-in. Tom’s super-aggressive play had been a factor all week throughout the heats and Tony G had put a massive marker down. Dwan called with a flush draw and the turn was a 3h with a Kh on the river. Tony G doubled up to 434K and with chips the ‘mouth from down under’ started getting under the skin of his opponents as the verbals escalated. It looked like after a third place in season two that Tony G was the man to beat and that he might take the Premier League title he desperately seeks.

Even though Tom Dwan was short stacked, 2008 WSOP Main Event champion Peter Eastgate was the first to exit. Eastgate had impressed all week and went to the final table second in chips. Most observers predicted that it would be a battle between the Dane and JC Tran for the title. Eastgate ran into Tran’s pocket aces when his Ks 9s was no match on the final board of Js Kd 5d Jd Ac. The World Champion had raised pre-flop and when Tran flat called with his aces - it enticed Eastgate to move all-in on the flop and hang himself. Out in fifth was Roland de Wolfe, who failed to improve on his second place finish in season two after reaching the final table through the heads-up play-offs.  Roland’s Kd Ks was crushed by Juha Helppi’s Ad Qc when an ace came on the flop. As all of this was unfolding, Tony G continued to talk, with commentator’s Jesse May and Phil Hellmuth convinced that he was winning the psychological battle. It even seemed at certain points that he might be getting under the skin of the super cool Tran
Tom Dwan’s Premier League debut had received rave reviews all week but he finally bit the dust in fourth place. It was none other than Tony G who sent him on his way when “Durrr” found his 8h 6s up against Tony G’s Jc 8d.  The flop came down 7s 8c 5h. Dwan failed to hit the open-ended straight draw and one of the most feared players of PartyPoker.com Premier League III was on his way. Tony G was in fine form singing “If you’re happy and you know it” and telling his rivals to get on their bikes. He was the chip leader and table captain and had more than double the stack of JC Tran. Finland’s Juha Helppi, winner of the inaugural PartyPoker.com Premier League was next to go in third place when his As 10d ran into Tony G’s Ad Qc and a queen came on the flop.

A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “JC Tran’s performance was truly outstanding and there is no doubt at all that he is one cool cat and that he deserved to win. The standard of play all week from all the players involved was really something to remember.”

Eddie Hearn, Director of Matchroom Sport said: “The PartyPoker.com Premier League III lived up to all expectations and then some. Newcomers Eastgate, Dwan and Obrestad played some simply stunning poker that will be watched over and over again and JC Tran’s performance was pure genius from beginning to end. This series has completely raised the bar for televised poker and we are already planning the next installment!”

JC Tran, from Sacramento, California is of Vietnamese origin and recently signed a deal to become an ambassador for the Asian Poker Tour. He went to the final table as chip leader and league winner with 450,000. Second in chips was 2008 WSOP Main Event champion Peter Eastgate with 390,000. Season one winner Juha Helppi was third with 340,000. Sitting in joint fourth place at the start of the final table was Tom ‘Durrr’ Dwan and Tony G, both with 260,000. The short stack was Roland de Wolfe with 230,000. The deep stacked final table started with blinds at 2,000 – 4,000.

Tran, Eastgate, Helppi and Dwan all qualified automatically for the final table from their positions in the league table. Dwan and Tony G both finished with 26 points but ‘Durrr’ got the automatic spot based on his superior league record. Roland de Wolfe beat Annette Obrestad 2-0 in the first heads-up play-off to secure his seat at the grand finale, while Tony G beat Vicky Coren 2-0 to fix his place. Both De Wolfe and Tony G made the final table in season two with De Wolfe eventually finishing runner-up to champion Andy Black and Tony G finishing third. PartyPoker.com Premier League III has not been so kind to Phil Hellmuth, who still holds the record of winning four heats in the Premier League but was unable to replicate the form that led him to dominate season one. He narrowly missed out on a place in the final eight but took part in a heads-up with JC Tran in the heats that people are already labeling a classic. Also relegated were defending champion Andy Black, Nenad Medic and David ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott. The final heats were particularly difficult for De Wolfe and Coren, who both had to play tight and hope other players busted themselves to secure enough points to finish in the final eight.

Tran, Eastgate, Helppi and Dwan all qualified automatically for the final table from their positions in the league table. Dwan and Tony G both finished with 26 points but ‘Durrr’ got the automatic spot based on his superior league record. Earlier today, Roland de Wolfe beat Annette Obrestad 2-0 in the first heads-up play-off to secure his seat at the grand finale, while Tony G beat Vicky Coren 2-0 to fix his place. Both De Wolfe and Tony G made the final table in season two with De Wolfe eventually finishing runner-up to champion Andy Black and Tony G finishing third.

PartyPoker.com Premier League III has not been so kind to Phil Hellmuth, who still holds the record of winning four heats in the Premier League but he has been unable to replicate the form that led him to dominate season one. He narrowly missed out on a place in the final eight. Also relegated were defending champion Andy Black, Nenad Medic and David ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott. The final heats were particularly difficult for De Wolfe and Coren, who both had to play tight and hope other players busted themselves to secure enough points to finish in the final eight.

Please find attached full heat results and lo-res image of the full line-up.

PARTYPOKER.COM PREMIER LEAGUE III – 24th – 30th November

FINAL LEAGUE TABLE

45 pts     JC TRAN
39 pts     PETER EASTGATE
34 pts     JUHA HELPPI
26 pts     TOM DWAN
————————————-
26 pts     TONY G
25 pts     ANNETTE OBRESTAD
23 pts     ROLAND DE WOLFE
22 pts     VICKY COREN
——————————————
21 pts     PHIL HELLMUTH
16 pts     ANDY BLACK
17pts      NENAD MEDIC
6 pts      DEVILFISH

PARTYPOKER.COM PREMIER LEAGUE III – FINAL TABLE – NOVEMBER 30th 2008

SEAT 1 - TOM DWAN (USA) 260,000
SEAT 2 – JUHA HELPPI (FIN) 340,000
SEAT 3 – TONY G (AUS) 260,000
SEAT 4 – ROLAND DE WOLFE (UK) 230,000
SEAT 5 – JC TRAN (USA) 450,000
SEAT 6 – PETER EASTGATE (DEN) 390,000

TOTAL PRIZE POOL $1.25 MILLION

FINAL TABLE PRIZE MONEY

1st - $300,000
2nd - $150,000
3rd - $80,000
4th - $50,000
5th - $40,000
6th - $30,000

The 12 League Matches Payout - $600,000

Each heat
1st - $20,000
2nd - $12,000
3rd - $8,000
4th - $6,000
5th - $4,000
6th - $0

HOW POINTS ARE AWARDED FOR LEAGUE MATCHES

1st – 10 points
2nd – 6 points
3rd – 4 points
4th – 3 points
5th – 2 points
6th – 0 points

1 point - $2000

Heat five at the start of day three was hugely eventful. All the previous heats had seen very few eliminations in early levels but this game was different and it very quickly become a heads-up battle between JC Tran and Peter Eastgate. The 2008 WSOP Main Event champion completely run over the field and looked to be home and dry but the blinds were only at 2,000 – 4,000. Eastgate sat with 541,000 to Tran’s 59,000, a very different scenario to when the pair met on day one when the chip counts going into the heads-up stage were more level. Remarkably, as a 9-1 underdog, Tran fought back to hold the chip lead. Eastgate, however, eventually got his revenge for his defeat at the hands of Tran on day one to pick up 10 points. Eastgate pushed all-in with K3 and was called by Tran with A7. A king on the flop was enough to seal the deal for the $9 million Dane.

With 6 points from the heat, however, JC is the man to beat and holds a very comfortable lead at the top of the league table and he looks set to qualify for the deep-stacked final table on Sunday. In this heat, Obrestad got the bagel, Helppi 2 points, Medic 3 points and Coren 4 points.

Heat six was the noisiest yet boasting a great line-up of Hellmuth, Tony G, Devilfish, Roland de Wolfe, Tom Dwan and Andy Black. By the time shuffle and deal was called the players were at each others throat with there seeming to be a competition on who could turn up the latest and hold-up the production. The Devilfish’s dreadful luck in the Premier League continued as he busted with 0 points. Unsurprisingly, the instigator of his downfall was Dwan, whose bet frequency throughout the whole of the Premier League so far has been way above that of any other player. Dwan raised to 10k with Q7 off-suit, Devilfish called with KQ off-suit. The flop came 77K with a Q on the river and all the money went in. The chances of the Fish finally getting a run together in the Premier League now look slim as he only has 3 points.

‘Durrr’ busted Tony G next for 2 points and Andy Black for 3 points but then went himself in third place for 4 points at the expense of Hellmuth after pushing it just a little too much. This left Hellmuth and De Wolfe heads-up with Roland leading 319,000 to 281,000. After days where it seemed that the ‘Poker Brat’ was getting outgunned by the newcomers he showed great form with some majestic calls and laydowns. Hellmuth chipped away at De Wolfe but was the subject of good fortune in the hand that gave him his eventual victory. Roland re-raised all-in with AQ off-suit and Phil called with Kc10c. It was looking great for Roland until a king came on the river to secure Hellmuth 10 points.

PARTYPOKER.COM PREMIER LEAGUE III – 24th – 30th November

LEAGUE TABLE AT THE END OF DAY THREE

26 pts     JC TRAN
16 pts     PETER EASTGATE
14 pts     JUHA HELPPI
14 pts     TONY G
14 pts     VICKY COREN
13 pts     PHIL HELLMUTH
12 pts     TOM DWAN
12 pts     ROLAND DE WOLFE
10 pts     ANNETTE OBRESTAD
10 pts     ANDY BLACK
6pts       NENAD MEDIC
3 pts      DEVILFISH

Finland’s Juha Helppi won heat three after overcoming Norway’s Annette Obrestad heads-up. The decisive hand saw Helppi raise with KQ off-suit, only for Obrestad to push all-in with J4 off-suit. Helppi hit his 10 on the river to secure maximum points. The heat itself was very cagey early on and remained six-handed for a long period of time. Hellmuth got the bagel, with Tony G finishing with 2 points, Nenad Medic 3 points, Roland De Wolfe 4 points and Annette Obrestad 6 points.

Heat four saw the ‘JC Tran show’ continue as he picked up another maximum. Cheered on by a large contingent in the green room, including WSOP Main Event final pal David ‘Chino’ Rheem, he put on other great display. When it got heads-up he held 476,000 to Vicky Coren’s 124,000 and he looked the likely winner throughout. The decisive hand saw Tran raise with A6 off-suit and pushed all-in by Coren with KK. An ace on the flop was enough to take it down. Andy Black finished third for 4 points, Devilfish finished fourth for 3 points, Tom ‘Durrr’ Dwan finished fifth for 2 points and $9 million man Eastgate ended up with zero. Like his first heat, Dwan mixed it up hugely but was fighting with a short stack the majority of the time after getting caught out early on. There is little doubt, however, that he still remains one of the most feared players in PartyPoker.com Premier League III.

PARTYPOKER.COM PREMIER LEAGUE III – 24th – 30th November

LEAGUE TABLE AT THE END OF DAY TWO

20 pts     JC TRAN
12 pts     TONY G
12 pts     JUHA HELPPI
10 pts     ANNETTE OBRESTAD
10 pts     VICKY COREN
8 pts       TOM DWAN
7 pts       ANDY BLACK
6 pts       PETER EASTGATE
6 pts       ROLAND DE WOLF
3 pts       DEVILFISH
3 pts       PHIL HELLMUTH
3pts        NENAD MEDIC

Day three and heat’s five and six could turn out to be decisive for the chances of Devilfish and Phil Hellmuth – both are in desperate need of big scores. Heat six looks particularly tasty with the Poker Brat up against Devilfish, Tony G, Tom Dwan, Roland de Wolfe and Andy Black.

PARTYPOKER.COM PREMIER LEAGUE III DAY THREE – 26th November 2008

HEAT FIVE

Annette Obrestad
Nenad Medic
Vicky Coren
JC Tran
Peter Eastgate
Juha Helppi

HEAT SIX

Phil Hellmuth
Devilfish
Tony G
Tom Dwan
Roland de Wolfe
Andy Black

After a high-quality heat, Tran beat new World Series main event Champion Peter Eastgate heads up when the Dane’s Q-3 failed to improve against Tran’s big slick.

Heat one of the competition put together one of the toughest six-handed tables ever seen. Alongside Tran (currently the #1 ranked player in the Bluff-ESPN Power Rankings), the field boasted 2008 WSOP main event winner Peter Eastgate, former WSOPE champion Annette Obrestad, defending Premier League champion Andy Black, bracelet winner Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott and EPT and WPT title holder Roland de Wolfe.

JC Tran will next line up in heat four of the competition renewing rivalries with Black, Ulliott and Eastgate while also taking on Tom ‘Durrrr’ Dwan and Victoria Coren.

Tran derailed the Eastgate juggernaut in the Dane’s first appearance following his $9 million WSOP Main Event triumph. The heads-up between Tran and Eastgate was grueling but after a number of swings it was Tran who triumphed. Eastgate started the heads-up with the advantage, holding 395,000 to Tran’s 205,000 but there was to be no repeat of Eastgate’s clinical heads-up destruction of Ivan Demidov at the WSOP Main Event final table as Tran brought the world champion down to earth with a bang. The final hand saw Eastgate push all-in with Q3 off-suit, with JC instantly calling with AK off-suit. The board failed to bring anything for either player.  First out for a bagel was David ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott, whose rotten run in the Premier League continues. The top three in the heat were all making their Premier League debuts, with Annette Obrestad finishing third for four points.

In heat two there was huge anticipation ahead of the first match-up between Phil Hellmuth and Tom ‘Durrr’ Dwan. The very first hand saw Dwan flop a full-house only for the ‘Poker Brat’ to hit a flush on the turn. With the history of their animosity from the NBC Heads-Up Championship in the minds of all those who watching it was a bad spot for the 11 time WSOP bracelet winner. Hellmuth eventually made the huge lay down but his stack took a pounding. The ‘Poker Brat’ recovered well to finish fourth, while Dwan continued to look for action whenever he could find it. At the heads-up stage Dwan held the advantage but when his 88 failed to hold up after Tony G had gone all-in with J10 offsuit the advantage swung dramatically in the favour of the ‘mouth from down under.’ Tony dominated the league heats in season two and has kicked-off this Premier League campaign with ten valuable points.

Party Poker Premier League III sees the buy-in elevated to $75,000 and the added money increased to $350,000, making a total prize pool of $1.25 million. The next event wasn’t due to take place until 2009 but the demands of international broadcasters for coverage of the event has brought it forward! The series features 12 of the world’s best players playing in a unique league format. All 12 players will play six times in the preliminary stages. The leading four players will then progress to the final table with the next four battling it out in heads-up matches for the final two seats. Phil Hellmuth leads the strongest ever line-up that includes Tom ‘Durrrr’ Dwan, JC Tran, Nenad Medic, Devilfish, Tony G, Vicky Coren, Annette Obrestad, Roland de Wolfe, Andy Black, Juha Helppi and WSOP Main Event winner Peter Eastgate. The event runs until Sunday 30th November.

At the start of play season one winner Juha Helppi was the 6/1 outright favourite with PartyBets.com, with JC Tran 7/1, Nenad Medic 8/1, Tony G 8/1, Devilfish 8/1, Annette Obrestad 8/1, Tom Dwan 9/1, Phil Hellmuth 10/1, Roland de Wolfe 10/1, Peter Eastgate 12/1, Andy Black 14/1 and Vicky Coren at 16/1.

PartyPoker.com Premier League III – Heat 1 – Monday 24th November

10 points - JC Tran
6 points - Peter Eastgate
4 points - Annette Obrestad
3 points - Andy Black
2 points - Roland de Wolfe
0 points – Devilfish

Heat  2

10 points – Tony G
6 points – Tom Dwan
4 points - Vicky Coren
3 points - Phil Hellmuth
2 points - Juha Helppi
0 points - Nenad Medic

Qualifiers are still running for the King of the Table $2 million guaranteed online tournament at PartyPoker.com on Sunday 30th November at 12.45 ET, which has a $600+$40 buy-in and a championship blind structure. PartyPoker.com provides a diverse qualifying structure allowing ALL players, no matter the size of their bankroll, an opportunity to qualify, and you can join in the action from as little as $1.

Party Poker Premier League III sees the buy-in elevated to $75,000 and the added money raised to $350,000, making a total prize pool of $1.25 million. The next event wasn’t due to take place until 2009 but the demands of international broadcasters for coverage of the event has brought it forward! The series features 12 of the world’s best players playing in a unique league format. All 12 players will play six times in the preliminary stages. The leading four players will then progress to the final table with the next four battling it out in heads-up matches for the final two seats. Phil Hellmuth leads the strongest ever line-up that includes Tom ‘Durrrr’ Dwan, JC Tran, Nenad Medic, Devilfish, Tony G, Vicky Coren, Annette Obrestad, Roland de Wolfe, Andy Black, Juha Helppi and WSOP Main Event winner Peter Eastgate.

At the start of play season one winner Juha Helppi was the 6/1 outright favourite with PartyBets.com, with JC Tran 7/1, Nenad Medic 8/1, Tony G 8/1, Devilfish 8/1, Annette Obrestad 8/1, Tom Dwan 9/1, Phil Hellmuth 10/1, Roland de Wolfe 10/1, Peter Eastgate 12/1, Andy Black 14/1 and Vicky Coren at 16/1.

Two heats are taking place today:

Heat 1

Devilfish
JC Tran
Andy Black
Annette Obrestad
Roland de Wolfe
Peter Eastgate

Heat  2

Phil Hellmuth
Tom Dwan
Juha Helppi
Nenad Medic
Tony G
Vicky Coren

Qualifiers are still running for the King of the Table $2 million guaranteed online tournament at PartyPoker.com on Sunday 30th November at 12.45 ET, which has a $600+$40 buy-in and a championship blind structure. PartyPoker.com provides a diverse qualifying structure allowing ALL players, no matter the size of their bankroll, an opportunity to qualify, and you can join in the action from as little as $1.

Give credit where credit is due.  The Premier League has reached this point because of Matchroom’s commitment that it will be for the best poker players in the world.  This is harder than you think, because that goal must be balanced by demands of the broadcaster and sponsor.  It’s not easy, but Eddie Hearn created a wish list and then went out and got those players personally.  On the plus side, almost no invitations go rejected.  The exposure of the tournament, it’s growing prestige, plus the value of the added prize money is such that you must be thick in the head not to want to play in the Premier League.

Of course there is also the ego factor.  If you think you’ve got game, if you think you can hang with the best and perhaps even dominate them, the Premier League is the arena.  The format may not be perfect, the skill set may be tad specialized, but the Premier League is an arena where greatness is on display and genius happens.

This year, the Premier League has not just been infused. It’s been turbo injected with serious poker skill, and I think this is the first year where there will be absolutely no way to make the final table without playing poker a cut above the rest.  I think this is where the six seater one table format gets its legs kicked out from under it and its clothes ripped off, naked as a bird on a wire.  The definitive question will be answered once and for all, who can play under these conditions best.  What skills win?

What else makes the Premier League unique is drama and conflict.  The fact that they are all cooped up in a hotel for eight days, all the big egos, thrown together like Big Brother, means there is no escape.  It’s 24/7, what with the prop betting, the bar, the Chinese poker, the fights and the arguments.  And every year people crack up.  If you have a sick sense of voyeurism, this is the can not miss that adds to poker perfection.

In that vein, I’ve made notes on each player in a predicted order of finish.  In addition, I’ve listed what I think will be the two biggest personal dynamics each player will have to deal with.  First, who is most likely to get under their skin, to be the cause of them boiling over.  And second, which player they most have to watch out for in the game itself.  The potential fireworks are off the chart.  Whether I’m right or wrong, it’s no matter.  I’m just glad to be able to watch it unfold.

12.      Vicky Coren

Kind of lost in the blur between Vicky Coren’s results and expectations is the fact that since the time when she won the half million pounds at the London EPT, she is one of the most improved players on the European scene.  She did have ground to make up, and I say that with all due respect.  Vicky’s a gamer, she has never shied away from the competition and it just goes to show that the best way to improve your poker is to match up with the best on a regular basis.  I think Vicky can be compared with former world champion Bill Smith.  TJ Cloutier once told me about Smith, he said, “When sober, Bill Smith was way too tight, and when drunk he was hopeless.  But catch Bill Smith when he was half drunk, and the man was the most feared poker player in the world.”  Vicky needs to be careful of the ever prevalent bar.  On no wine at all she can be too timid.  And once she gets beyond three glasses, she loses focus and just starts calling.  But between one glass of wine and three, Coren is a demon destroyer who has well timed aggression and a nifty talent for getting her chips in first.

Sparks could fly:  Vicky vs. Andy Black.  Andy made Vicky angry with his comments in the first Premier League that she didn’t find out about until it came on TV.  They managed to avoid each other for most of the last Premier League, but it’s far from over.

Player to beware of:  Vicky vs. Devilfish.  The Devilfish has owned Vicky in the previous two Premier Leagues.  He has run her over like a train with his charming chauvinism, if you can call it that.  She gives him way too much respect.  The fact that she genuinely likes The Devil doesn’t help one bit, and if Vicky wants to succeed in this tournament she must take an attitude of no mercy no quarter when it comes to Dave Ulliott.

11.  Juha Helppi

This man is out of form.  Pound for pound, I believe he has played the best and most consistent poker of anyone from the first two Premier Leagues, but a lot of good it will do him now.  Juha has been running bad, and it’s starting to affect his mindset.  He actually believes that he will be unlucky, which is a recipe for disaster.  It’s a shame because when he is on, he plays this format near perfection.

Sparks could fly: Juha vs. Roland de Wolfe.  This one is in the cards.  The two have teased each other for years, and as long as one or the other are going well it’s all in good fun.  No more.  Roland will step over the line, and the machine will snap.  Believe me, this will get ugly.

Player to beware of: Juha vs. Phil Hellmuth.  For two years, Juha has been playing well and owning Phil Hellmuth.  Phil has bided his time, and believe me revenge will be served cold.  Phil has been waiting to grab the upper hand on Juha and will waste no time kicking him when he is down.

10.      Andy Black

The defending champion can play.  He is tight early and aggressive late and this formula usually gets steady points.  However, Andy’s Achilles heel is that he can’t stay away from a battle of the egos, and there are just too many egos in this lineup for him to succeed.  I’m afraid his heart will get the better of his head.

Sparks could Fly:  Andy vs. Tony G.  Andy needs to be table captain, and almost always gets the last word in edgewise, especially against an out of form Tony G.  Not this year.  No matter who Tony G bullies, Andy will try to butt in and this year Tony is ready for the challenge.  Tony has his sights set on the man who robbed him last year of the Premier League title and will try to have Andy on his bike and back at the ashram.

Player to beware of:  Andy vs. Andy Black.  This never gets old.  Andy has eleven players to beware of in this Premier League and they are all named Andy Black.  Over the course of seven days, Andy will crack up.  It’s only a question of when and how much it will cost him.

9. Tom Dwan

The buzz around the internet phenom known as Durrr is a roar.  The hype is deafening.  Six million dollars this year alone.  Soft spoken but a maniac at the table, everyone is excited to see the facets of his game.  However, every time he talks about poker or is talked about, it involves him playing a lot of pots. I am not aware that he has the desire or ability to play the tight gear, and unfortunately here it means a lot of early exits.

Sparks could fly:  Tom vs. Phil Hellmuth.  Of course you’ve watched the video on YouTube.  We all have.  But even though Tom beat Phil on the table, Phil slaughtered him in the verbal.  And will continue to do so.  Tom might be the better player in a cash scenario, but here Phil will dominate him in the play and crush the poor twenty-one year old with the abuse.  Tom can only gain satisfaction with a heads up cash match-up.  Phil is smart enough to never let this happen and instead take the avenue of baiting him until he pops.

Player to beware of:  Tom vs. Annette.  This is an interesting match up.  The most aggressive internet cash player against the most aggressive internet tournament player.  The last time I looked, this is a tournament, and Annette will get it over on Dwan all day long.

8. Roland de Wolfe

How the giants have fallen.  Two years ago the hottest poker player in the world, now just a formless mass reduced to drinking smelly bottles of wheatgrass to purge his system.  On the bright side, Roland is immensely talented and is able to raise his game when playing against world class.  He plays outside the box and can utilize every gear in the book.  He plays so far outside the box, there is no box.  If he plays his best poker, he should win.  Right now, though, emotional odds are stacked against him.  I think we are more likely to see his demons than his poker.  Both make good TV.

Sparks could fly:  Roland vs. Nenad Medic.  Nenad is the person Roland once was and now hopes to become again.  The hottest tournament player on the planet.  This bothers Roland, that someone has taken his mantle, and something Nenad casually said in one of his interviews on the Internet gave me the feeling that he has very little respect for Roland de Wolfe.  Roland is a man on edge, and this rivalry could be one of the hidden gems of this year’s Premier League.

Player to beware of:  Roland vs.Tom Dwan.  Roland likes to be the fanciest player making the fanciest plays, something Tom Dwan owns here and anywhere else.  If Roland tries to outplay Tom Dwan, and you know he will, Durr will have that extra trick up his sleeve to put egg all over Roland’s face.

7. Phil Hellmuth

He is the Premier League.  He is Phil Hellmuth.  And he got pulverized last year, laughed off the map.  I saw Phil just before the WSOPE and I’ve been reading his blog and he is in good form.  He seems a happy man.  But it’s been a long time in Hellmuth years since he won anything major.  If he comes in last during this Premier League people will talk.  People will cackle.  He can slay so many demons by doing well this year.  Upstart threats like Durr and Eastgate, old rivals like Helppi, the Devilfish, and Tony G.  He needs to just make the final table, but I still don’t see it.  A little jetlag and Chinese Poker distractions and Phil will be mid table and beat in the heads up by someone who will taunt him forever.  It’s part of the drama that is the Poker Brat.

Sparks could fly:  Phil vs. Peter Eastgate.  Phil loves his records as much as he loves himself.  Is that possible?  Eastgate is the man who broke Phil’s record of twenty years and may hold it for another twenty himself.  I seriously doubt Phil can sleep at night with bother for what Peter has done.  Eastgate could be the silent assassin in such a way that only a smirk will make Phil explode and for real.

Player to beware of:  Phil vs. Tony G.  Everybody laughed at Tony G for the way he played last year, none louder than Phil Hellmuth.  I think Phil will be guilty of underestimating Tony’s play this year and could pay the penalty.

6. Nenad Medic

I’ve never met Nenad, but from what I’ve seen he is quite impressive.  Big man, gently humble, quietly confident, and with a string of results in the last two years that could be a career.  He’s the kind of guy that always travels in a posse, and leads a team many strong.  He appears to have the game to succeed here, but how he will react to the verbal intensity of this group of players remains to be seen.  He has a temper, I’m sure of it, and we’ll just have to see what happens when he’s had enough.  Belongs in the Premier League by anyone’s criteria and has been tipped by those who know to make a big impact.  I can’t wait to see if he’s the real deal.

Sparks could fly:  Nenad vs. Andy Black.  This has to break big and ugly.  Talk about polar opposites.  Nenad is the embodiment of the macho man, and Andy is Mr. Lets Talk It Out.  He eats macho for breakfast.  Nenad is a cool dude and a low boiler, but he will only take so much of Andy before he’s had enough.  I’m predicting fists to fly by Day 5.

Player to beware of: Nenad vs. Devilfish.  I saw both these guys in the big cash game in Vegas during the WSOP.  Nenad was running hot and the Devilfish wasn’t.  If Medic is guilty of underestimating the Fish, Devil will give him his due.  Don’t ever think the Devilfish can’t play with the big boys.

5. Annette Obrestad

Though some of the hype surrounding Annette15 has blown over, there is no question in anyone’s mind that she is at the top of the poker world to stay.  Annette is just too good a tournament player, and of all the players in the Premier League I think this format perfectly suits her strengths.  Though it appears to many that her game is based on naked aggression and little else, she has flair that is so extreme as to be borderline destructive.  Look for her to play first position like it’s the button and to get paid off like a clock.  I’ll be very surprised not to see her on the final table.  One of the great subtexts with Annette is her confidence.  She respects no one, and knows no fear.  Annette is still young, however, and how she handles the cauldron that is the verbal pressure factory will be exciting to see.

Sparks could fly:  Annette vs. Vicky Coren.  Annette has had a few publicized run-ins with other female players, Isabelle Mercier a prime example.  Obrestad is very confident, arrogant even, and Vicky and she have absolutely no chance of getting along.  I can’t wait for this one.

Player to beware of:  Annette vs. JC Tran.  Against Annette you must be prepared to make the big call.  Call it a hunch, but I think JC Tran will be her Kryptonite.

4. Peter Eastgate

I’m proud to boast that I saw this one coming.  Peter Eastgate played several times on TV before his run this year in the WSOP and he several times displayed the raw genius that promised big things to come.  Twice he played lights out in the Poker Million, once running rings around the Devilfish, and at the Irish Open a few years ago were it not for Aces cracked just off the final table he could easily have been the champion.  Jealous forum merchants who claim he got hit with the deck at the WSOP this year have obviously been guilty of only watching the ESPN coverage and not going through the hand by hand from the blogs.  From several tables on down, Eastgate was in and out of tons of pots.  He got big action precisely because he was so unpredictable, and he had Demidov absolutely tortured from where I sat both in November and July.  The heads up matchup lasted not two hands, as television would have you think, but over a hundred hands during which Eastgate picked Demidov apart and then demolished him.  He’s got nine million in the bank and this Premier League is his coming out party.  I will be the second least surprised person to see Eastgate win this.  Believe me that’s what he thinks he’s here for.  Peter likes to do his talking with his chips.  Whether that’s enough in the Premier League, though, remains to be proven.

Sparks could fly:  Peter vs. Tony G.  This is like grade school for Tony G.  He picks out the guy least likely to defend himself, and paws him like a cat with a dead mouse – just for sport.  We’ll find out just how much backbone Peter has based on when and how he chooses to respond.

Player to beware of:  Peter vs. Roland de Wolfe.  Roland is the kind of guy that feels a need to put people in their place, poker wise.  He wants to prove something to the world, that he can put a play on the WSOP champion.  Peter had better be ready for Roland coming with a plan of attack.

3. Tony G

For a man who wears his heart and soul on his sleeve, Tony G has only been a shadow of his self during Premier League seasons I and II.  The picture of him from last year’s final table said it all.  Tony G, head in his hands, sad and embarrassed, after making an amateur mistake in the final three by turning his cards over too soon and costing himself half his stack.  And that, just after lacking the heart and commitment to follow through against Roland de Wolfe.  Tony G without heart and commitment?  It was sad to see.

Cheer up, Tony G fans, I can happily report that the man is back, full of confidence, life, and the abusive wit that makes our sides ache.  When he is on you he is playing his best, and he is on right now.  He’s been in London for a month already getting ready for this Premier League, and if you read his blog he knows he’s ready.  He played pretty much the best I’ve ever seen him during the recent UK Open, and even had the audacity to claim in his blog that he didn’t play well.  Read through the lines.  He’s so confident that he’s underplaying his game.  And Tony G has probably got the biggest axe to grind in the whole Premier League.  They laughed at him last year.  They laughed at him bad.  I have the feeling at one point soon, he will stand on his chair and say look who’s laughing now.

Sparks could fly:  Tony G vs. Devilfish.  Devilfish knows just what buttons of Tony’s to push.  Tony knows how to abuse without getting personal, with the Devilfish it’s always personal.  One fat joke too many and they may start pulling hair.  Oh, it will get loud.

Player to beware of:  Tony G vs. Peter Eastgate.  Tony will not be ready for Peter Eastgate’s game.  Of that I am certain.  Take this kid lightly and you will end up walking.

2. JC Tran

You’ve got to like this guy.  If you don’t know him, you are in for a treat.  He’s where the Vietnamese American meets the California surfer dude.  His tournament record over the last three years puts every single player in this league to shame.  He is no one hit wonder, and it is impossible for him to just be a very good player on an unbelievable run.  He has so many final tables in big events over the last three years it’s just mind boggling.  And now, he has started to more regularly close the deal.  I’ve watched plenty of his interviews and JC is a guy who is a bit hurt that he is not getting the recognition he deserves.  He’s not out there beating a drum, and still has faith that the fame and sponsorship will come if he continues to do his thing.  I can see him taking this event more seriously than anyone else in the field.  He has the most to gain.

JC said something in one of his interviews that makes me think he will succeed here.  He said that he used to push things too hard and has now learned how to let the game come to him.  I think that’s a really good attitude for this league format.  There’s so many in this field who will do the pushing.  JC might just let this title come to him.

Sparks could fly:  JC vs. Tony G.  JC is friendly and easygoing.  Tony comes on friendly and then hits where it hurts.  This is where the rubber meets the road.  Tony will be on the guy from day one and there will be no love lost in the corners.

Player to beware of:  JC vs. Juha.  If there is one guy who JC could easily size up incorrectly, it is Juha Helppi.  He looks tight but he is not.  Juha will identify JC as the guy he can pull a move on, and he is probably right.

1. Devilfish

I should be shot for my faith in the Devilfish, condemned for my insistence that he has the package that makes him the best player in history for this particular format.  But the fact remains that the Devilfish does have it all.  When he is on his A game, he has the technical skills to slash everybody in the field.  He has the verbal weapons to hammer the psychological edge, and he has the wit and camera presence to own the show.  Ulliott has only one knock against him, and that’s his habit of slipping into negativity when things start to go wrong.  This is a big problem.  However, the last five months he has looked the happiest that I’ve seen in seven years.  The last two times he’s played this format he turned in his two best performances ever.  If he brings that attitude to the table, I honestly believe Devilfish will be the champion when the smoke has cleared.

Sparks could fly:  Devilish vs. Phil Hellmuth.  Phil has always owned the Devilfish.  Hellmuth is the Devilfish’s walking bad dream, he has him spooked.  If this ever changes than all is not right with the world.  The most entertaining of all the rivalries, as sure as death and taxes.

Player to beware of:  Devilfish vs. Annette.  Devilfish always gets outplayed by strong females, because he shows them no respect.  Liz Lieu hammered the Devilfish in Premier League I, and she’s not half the player Annette is.  Look for Annette to make him feel foolish in many pots.

The draw for the heats takes place at 10am GMT tomorrow, Thursday 20th November, at the studios that are hosting the event. The draw will be blogged live at https://www.matchroompoker.com. The event runs from the 24th – 30th November in London.

Eddie Hearn, Director of Online Gaming at Matchroom Sport said: “”The whole reason Matchroom Sport became involved with poker is because we love the game. We wanted to deliver a dream dozen for the fans and this is without doubt the most exciting line up in poker history. The Premier League is an arena where greatness is on display and genius happens - twelve of the games biggest ever talents will face off for over a million dollars in what will be the greatest poker spectacle of all time.”

PartyPoker.com Premier League III sees the buy-in elevated to $75,000 and the added money raised to $350,000, making a total prize pool of $1.25 million. The next event wasn’t due to take place until 2009 but the demands of international broadcasters for coverage of the event has brought it forward! The series features 12 of the world’s best players playing in a unique league format. All 12 players will play six times in the preliminary stages. The leading four players will then progress to the final table with the next four battling it out in heads-up matches for the final two seats.

Bookmaker https://www.partybets.com make Eastgate the 6/1 favourite to win the Premier League, followed by JC Tran at 13/2. https://www.partybets.com/betfinder.action?sport=66719

A spokesman for http://www.partypoker.com  said: “The odds say everything about the added strength of the players in PartyPoker.com Premier League III. The five young gun newcomers all head the betting. We didn’t just fill in spots - we brought in players who are more than capable of giving those who thought they were the best a whipping.”

Below are the PartyBets.com odds for each player and a comment on each from Phil Hellmuth. The ‘Poker Brat’ topped the league table in season one but finished bottom of the table in season two.

6/1          Peter Eastgate

“Only a few weeks back, Peter Eastgate broke my record as “youngest world champion of poker in history” at the tender age of 22-years-old. Talk about being on form, this kid won over $9 million, and the WSOP Main Event in mid-November!!  I’m looking forward to watching the way this young gun plays his hands in the Premier League.”

13/2        JC Tran

“JC is one of the best texas hold’em tournament players in the world today, and he is one of the 5 “young guns” in the “Premier League” in 2009.  He has both a WSOP title and a WPT title!”

7/1          Nenad Medic

“Nenad is on form right, having just finished fourth in a WPT event in Las Vegas in late October.  Nenad has a WSOP win this year, as well as

A big WPT win a few years back. Certainly one to watch.”

15/2        Annette Obrestad

“Before it is over, Annette could be one of the greatest in the poker world.  She is only 20, but already she won the main event at the WSOPE (at age 18!!) and millions of dollars playing online poker.”

8/1          Tom Dwan

“Tom or Durrr, has amazing talent!  He has reportedly won many millions of dollars playing online poker, and he is only barely 22 years old! I have played with him many times in the real world, and he plays super fast, and still manages to win. For this he has my highest

marks.”

9/1          Phil Hellmuth

“I never leave the house to play poker for anything less than a prestigious tournament, and with any goal less than winning, period. I’m coming to London to win! I must say that I am so impressed by the lineup of players that I’ll be battling along the way!

9/1          Roland de Wolfe

“Roland moved from reporter to contender in a very short time. He has tons of talent, and even more personality!”

9/1          Devilfish

“Devilfish is a world class, absolutely fearless poker player who has two WSOP bracelets, a WPT title, and dozens of titles from all over the poker world.  He won ten years ago, and he wins today, enough said!”

10/1        Tony G

“Tony G was the “Premier League II” points leader.  Tony is fearless, feisty, and makes for great television viewing!”

15/1        Andy Black

“Andy is long on talent, but short on closing the deal.  However, he did close the deal in the Premier League II after he overplayed K-Q in a massive pot and outdrew his opponents Q-Q.

15/1        Juha Helppi

Juha is a mathematical player with tons of success in the poker world. Juha played me heads up for my tenth WSOP bracelet in 2006, a match that I won; but then he got a measure of revenge when he busted me out in third at the first Premier League finale in 2007.

20/1        Vicky Coren

“Vicky is a well mannered, sophisticated, and classy competitor who also is a presenter over here in the UK.”