The 2009 World Series of Poker Europe, presented by Betfair.com is officially underway with the first of 4 major bracelet events already attracting large fields in the land of bangers and mash.

The first bracelet event of the Series, the ?1,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em Freezeout, attracted 329 runners on its first Day 1 including top pros like Phil Hellmuth, Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott, Jean-Robert Bellande and PokerRoad's Barry Greenstein, all of whom will already have to wait for the next event because in this one, they're out of chips.

Players who survived the first tough day include Raymond Rahme, Michael Dwyer and Roland De Wolfe.

For more information on the World Series of Poker Europe, or to catch updates from tomorrow's second Day 1 visit www.worldseriesofpoker.com.


Story by Mark Anderson