The International Federation of Poker

The International Federation of Poker (IFP) will be staging two unique events in London this month, The Nations Cup, followed by The Table; the first official world championship of poker.

As the official governing body of poker, the IFP has assembled an invitation-only field of the world’s top tournament players, including the likes of Barry Greenstein, Barny Boatman, Jake Cody, David Benyamine and November-Niners Sam Holden and Eoghan O’Dea, to compete for a place at “The Table”, in an no-limit hold’em contest staged at London’s County Hall, the winner of which will win a first prize of £160,000 and the honour of being poker’s first official world champion.

Preceding The Table however will be The Nations Cup, a team event consisting of 12 Federation teams from around the globe, including the UK (led by Boatman), USA, Spain, France and Holland, competing in Duplicate Poker, perhaps the most unique variation of the game.

Duplicate poker pitches players against each opponent, dealt identical cards, in several games played simultaneously. Players score points based on how they exploit their hand to win, or limit losses. Points are then compared to opponents being dealt the same cards at other tables. It’s a perfect way to remove the vagaries of luck and instead assess how skilful each player really is.

As an added draw, the Nations Cup will be staged on the EDF Energy London Eye on the banks of the river Thames, with a table in each capsule circling in the night sky, with spectacular views out across London.

It should prove a captivating spectacle, with live scores and updates from the London Eye, which starts with the Nations Cup on Thursday 17 November, detailed on the IFP Blog, Facebook and Twitter pages throughout the event, with live streaming of The Table, starting on Saturday 19 November.

For more details go to the IFP website and check out the IFP Facebook page.