The 2nd annual World Series of Poker Europe Presented by Betfair has arrived, and so have the biggest names in poker from all across the world. With ESPN set to televise this year’s WSOPE Main Event in the U.S. and across Europe, the 2008 World Series of Poker Europe will become the most broadly televised poker tournament ever – and the first European poker tournament to receive TV coverage in the United States.

“We had tremendous success at the inaugural World Series of Poker Europe, but are convinced the changes to this year will result in an even better tournament,” said WSOP Director of Marketing Ty Stewart. “Registration is tracking ahead of last year and the lineup of names and the addition of another bracelet event have brought an electric buzz to start off this tournament.”

This television exposure and the chance to win the most prestigious prize in all of poker – a WSOP gold bracelet – is drawing the biggest names in poker. “Betfair are delighted with the launch of the WSOPE. The player feedback has been tremendously positive and we look forward to this being the largest and most successful tournament in Europe this year,” said Ben Fried, head of poker for Betfair.

In an exclusive interview on WomensPokerYak.net, Nolan Dalla, World Series of Poker's Media Relations Director, talks with podcast host Dianna Donofrio about his journey to the world of Poker and then shares his thoughts of the 2008 WSOP final table being delayed till November and the thoughts of the famed "November Nine" who will be playing. In every other Poker tournament, the entire tournament is played straight through to the end. When it was decided that the final table of the World Series would be delayed 4 months, Poker players everywhere were asking why. Dalla answers the question.

Donofrio, with her love of poker and people, engages Dalla as he reveals his path from politics to poker. His political life started in Washington, DC with the State Department, on to the American Embassy in Bucharest, Romania witnessing the fall of Dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, and then back to DC working for the Turkish Embassy.

Dalla reflects on his early years at the University of Texas, playing poker and betting sports, using his winnings to help pay for his education. It was there he earned a degree in Political Science, followed by a Masters Degree program in Public Policy Administration at UT-Arlington. He then moved on to Washington, DC and worked on the staff for a U.S. Senate committee. Sitting behind a desk and playing the administrative role was not to be a part of his future life style. He was looking for something more exciting ... and poker was the answer. The people and the players were interesting to Dalla. He found that poker was more than just a game. It is a lifestyle and a lifestyle to which he gives profound dedication. Dalla takes great pride in his role of the Media Relations Director for the World Series of Poker (worldseriesofpoker.com). Dalla believes "Gambling is the greatest metaphor of life. Whether in gambling or life -- I find that the harder you work, the better your chance of success."

AsianLogic Plc and the Asian Poker Tour are delighted to announce the signing of three top pros to their stable following the APT Macau, which concluded on the 31st August at the glamorous Galaxy Starworld. JC Tran, Quinn Do and Nam Le have inked contracts to represent the APT on the world poker circuit. The deal couldn’t have got off to a better start with Nam Le winning the PokerStars.net APPT Macau High Rollers event for US$474,358. If that wasn’t enough, his fellow newly signed ambassador Quinn Do finished third for US$153,846 as the APT ambassadors dominated the US$19,250 buy-in tournament.

“I’m truly delighted to have won and so happy to have got my deal with the APT off to the best possible start,” said Nam. I’m looking forward to representing the Tour around the world. It wasn’t looking great for me in this tournament at one stage but I was always confident that I would bounce back.”

Tom Hall, CEO of AsianLogic Plc said: “We have big plans for these guys and are happy they signed with us to spread the word about the APT worldwide. We expected success but such a result for two of the ambassadors so quickly is brilliant!”

Ivobank, an online banking service specialising in online payments and money transfer services, launched its product offering in more countries across Europe today. Offering faster and cheaper cross-border and online payments, Ivobank is now available in France, Italy and Germany as well as the initial launch countries (UK, Spain, Ireland and Canada).

Launching in more countries means that even more online bankers, gamers and shoppers throughout Europe can take advantage of the benefits offered by an Ivobank account.

Customers can take advantage of secure and fast online payments, 24/7 customer support via telephone, online Live Chat and secure email, and competitive rates of interest on deposits held (up to 4.5% AER). On top of this, Ivobank allows customers to move money instantly from their account to friends and family overseas for free, making it very attractive for international money transfers. For example, parents can now transfer money to a child who may be studying in France, or European property owners can now send maintenance money overseas to management agents without the inconvenience and cost of exchange fees and delays. All senders and recipients need to do is to open Ivobank accounts, which is quick and easy to do online.

Timothy Sawyer, Managing Director of Ivobank, said: “More businesses and people are now choosing to bank online, make payments and transfer money on the Internet. Following our successful launch in the UK, Ireland, Spain and Canada, we are looking forward to opening up our rapid payments service to more customers across Europe and plan to introduce our service to even more European countries shortly.”

Customers in France, Italy and Germany will also have access to a virtual debit card - The Ivobank Virtual Card - which can be used to make purchases online anywhere that MasterCard is accepted. Every time customers use the card a new card number is produced and customers can set a transaction limit for each card number -- this means that once the transaction has been made, the card cannot be reused, increasing security for online shoppers.

Online gaming merchants and businesses can benefit from competitive rates of interest on deposits held (up to 4.25% AER) while all funds transferred by customers are indemnified and settled immediately, 24 hours a day seven days a week. Low transaction fees and multi-currency settlement with localised payment options make Ivobank an attractive option for companies based in these new countries.

Customers in France, Italy and Germany can find out more or apply for an Ivobank account online at http://www.ivobank.com/. There is no sign-up fee and no minimum deposit.

Ivobank is authorised and regulated by the FSA and adheres to the Banking Code.

With Online Poker's explosion of popularity, FortunePoker.com has stepped up their game and is bringing players a promotion that exceeds all expectations. Beginning September 1st, 2008, players of all kinds will compete for the chance to represent the room in 5 major poker events around the world: The Canadian Poker Tour Invitational in Dominican Republic, World Poker Tour's Bay 101 Shooting Star in California, Europe's San Remo Event as well as the Scandinavian Open in Copenhagen, and last but not least, the Asian Poker Tour in Macau. The finale, which takes place the first week of December, will also sponsor 4 other players to one of the above events.

What's unique about this series, is that poker players of all levels will have an opportunity to participate in the event. Players with the top 75 Raked Hands at the Ring Game tables will be awarded a seat into the finale, satellites to the event run weekly for all the Multi-Table Tournament players, and there is even a monthly freeroll giving away 3 seats to the finale at the end of each month. With an anticipated 500 players in the December Event, it is a guarantee that players will be putting on their A game to claim the estimated €38,000 sponsorship package.

Along with the Around The World promotion, Fortune Poker is offering an array of incentives for players to join their respectable team; including, a massive 200% up to €1000 deposit bonus, a €150,000 Rake Race as well as daily freerolls and guaranteed tournaments.

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