Spain's Raul Mestre Crowned First International Federation of Poker World Champion

Nov. 20, 2011 - PRLog -- Raul Mestre of Spain won the inaugural International Federation of poker World Championship  in London  to take the £250,000 first prize and the prestigious   IFP ‘The Table’ trophy.

Vicky Coren of the UK took the $100,000 second prize with Igor Trafane of Brazil in third place with $50,000.

Other paces were:

4. Slavo Tomic, Serbia

5. Marsha Waggoner, Australia

6.  Sandra Naujoks, Germany

7. Takuo Serita, Japan

8. Tim Reese, Germany

9. Kinichi Nakata, Japan

Some 130 of the world’s leading players started out for the World Championship title and a US$250,000 first prize from a total prize fund of US$500,000.

The Table is a deep-stack Texas Hold’em competition designed to accentuate the skill of the players under intense competitive pressure and media attention.

Unlike established casino-based Poker tournaments, The Table is not a buy-in competition and players compete for the prize fund and not accumulated winnings.  It heralds a campaign to rid poker of its traditional image and its links with casino gambling and have it recognised  by the Olympic community as a true sport of skill and strategy.

The inaugural edition of The Table heralds a revolution in poker worldwide. While this year’s competition is by invitation only, subsequent editions will be open to all-comers with rounds leading up to the final being played by registered players online.

Registration will be open to all, providing amateur players of differing levels of experience and ability to compete with the pros for the world title.

Anthony Holden, President of the International Federation of Poker said:

“Our congratulations to Raul on wining a compelling tournament. It was an appropriately exciting  climax to our first World Championship and I would like to thank the world’s leading players for the way they have embraced  the competition.

“This represents the beginning of a new era for poker and a great start to our campaign to have poker recognised as a genuine sport demanding the same level of sill, passion and commitment as other sports with which it shares so many positive values.”

Further information from:

Kevin Roberts. Tel- +44 (0) 7710192960

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