Just as glamorous to the serious poker player as the Oscars are to the film goer, the European prestigious Player of the Year award has taken place in a glittering ceremony at the Aviation Club in Paris with top slot going to Vitaly Lunkin. The other big winners on the night included Germany’s Sandra Naujoks who was named Europe’s Leading Lady ahead of Kara Scott and Lynne Beaumont. Antoine Saout won the Rookie of the Year award with triple WSOP bracelet winner Jeff Lisandro taking the award for Outstanding Tournament Performance of the Year.
The awards which are considered to be the hors d’oeuvres to the European Finals of Poker series, which takes place in the French capital this week. Back to defend his title will be Dave Ulliott, who collected a first prize of €152,000 after outlasting a field of 152 runners in last year’s event. We look forward to the start of the event, which will no doubt bring up the usual crop of surprises.