What Is 2009 World Series of Poker Europe

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) was held from September 17 to October 1 at the Casino at the Empire in London. Barry Shulman won the Main Event, earning £1,365,000 ($2.2 million).

Key Facts

The 2009 WSOPE took place from September 17 to October 1 in London, UK
Barry Shulman won the Main Event, defeating 305 players
Shulman claimed the first prize of £1,365,000 (approx. $2.2 million)
This was the second annual WSOPE, following the inaugural 2008 event
The event featured seven bracelet tournaments with buy-ins from €1,500 to €10,000

Overview

The 2009 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) marked the second annual edition of the international expansion of the famed World Series of Poker. Held at the Casino at the Empire in London, the series ran from September 17 to October 1, 2009, drawing top poker talent from across Europe and beyond.

As a cornerstone event in global poker, WSOPE brought the prestige of the WSOP brand overseas, offering players outside the U.S. a chance to win coveted gold bracelets. The 2009 series expanded from the previous year, featuring seven bracelet events with buy-ins ranging from €1,500 to €10,000.

Event Duration: The 2009 WSOPE spanned 15 days, starting on September 17 and concluding with the Main Event final table on October 1.
Venue: All events were hosted at the Casino at the Empire in Leicester Square, London, a central location known for high-stakes poker.
Main Event Winner:Barry Shulman, a 63-year-old businessman from Las Vegas, won the €10,000 Main Event, defeating a field of 305 entrants.
Prize Pool: The Main Event generated a prize pool of €2,928,000, with Shulman claiming the top prize of £1,365,000 (approximately $2.2 million at the time).
Historic Win: Shulman’s victory was particularly notable because he was a relative underdog and also secured a WSOP bracelet for his son, who had helped him prepare.

How It Works

The 2009 WSOPE followed the same tournament structure as the Las Vegas-based WSOP, with players competing in fixed-blind, no-limit Texas Hold’em events to win gold bracelets and prize money.

Buy-in: Entry fees ranged from €1,500 to €10,000, with the highest stakes reserved for the Main Event, attracting professional and amateur players alike.
Blind Levels: Tournament blinds increased on a set schedule, typically every 30 to 40 minutes, ensuring structured progression and strategic depth.
Bracelet Awards: Winners of each event received an official WSOP gold bracelet, one of the most prestigious honors in professional poker.
Player Registration: Over 1,500 unique players participated across all events, reflecting growing international interest in high-stakes poker tournaments.
Final Table Format: The Main Event final table used a structured seating rotation and was broadcast with commentary, increasing visibility and fan engagement.
Chip Counts: Players started with 30,000 in starting chips, and rebuys were not allowed in most events, emphasizing strategic discipline.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2009 WSOPE with the 2008 and 2010 editions to highlight growth and consistency in the series.

Year	Location	Number of Events	Main Event Buy-in	Main Event Winner
2008	London, UK	3	£2,500	Kristian Ojala
2009	London, UK	7	€10,000	Barry Shulman
2010	Enghien-les-Bains, France	6	€10,000	Erik Seidel
2008 vs 2009	Same city	4 more events added	More than tripled	Different winners
2009 vs 2010	Changed country	One fewer event	Same	Different winners

The expansion from three to seven events in 2009 demonstrated the growing popularity of international poker tournaments. While 2010 moved to France, the 2009 series in London solidified WSOPE as a major fixture in the global poker calendar, attracting record participation and media attention.

Why It Matters

The 2009 WSOPE was a pivotal moment in the globalization of professional poker, proving that major tournaments could thrive outside Las Vegas. It elevated the profile of European players and expanded the reach of the WSOP brand.

Global Reach: The 2009 WSOPE helped popularize poker across Europe, inspiring more regional tournaments and player development.
Media Exposure: Broadcast coverage increased fan engagement and brought mainstream visibility to high-stakes poker outside the U.S.
Player Diversity: The event attracted competitors from over 50 countries, showcasing the international nature of modern poker.
Economic Impact: London’s hosting boosted local tourism and casino revenues, demonstrating the economic value of large-scale poker events.
Legacy for Winners: Barry Shulman’s win was a career-defining moment, adding to the legendary status of underdog victories in poker history.
WSOP Expansion: The success of 2009 encouraged future international expansions, including WSOPE events in France and later online formats.

Ultimately, the 2009 World Series of Poker Europe was more than just a tournament—it was a milestone in the evolution of competitive poker as a global sport.