Press Release

In the run-up, it was already clear that a large number of players were expected at the first major tournament on the agenda of this year's European Poker Championship, but the expectations were nevertheless surpassed. Buy-ins were paid into the pot an incredible 868 times: that meant an increase of over 100 players compared to the previous year. But it was not just the number of players and the prize money that were impressive. The range of top players from home and abroad was also remarkable. On Monday afternoon, the final ten players gathered to play for the € 84,000 in winnings. Victory was hard-fought for over ten hours. In addition to the prize money, Adem Marjanovic of Vienna ultimately won considerable admiration for his deserved victory in this No Limit Hold'em tournament.

Gerald Golker, poker manager at Casino Velden, is more than satisfied with the success of the "Showdown at Lake Wörthersee": "I'm very pleased that this tournament is so popular. I think it's primarily because we appeal to both hobby players and professionals. The fact that this is ultimately reflected so strongly in the number of players is a marvellous acknowledgement of this and motivation for the upcoming events. "Casinos Austria Poker Manager Niklas Sattler adds:" This is a enormous achievement for the European Poker Championship due not least to our marvellous team, which does an outstanding job here day after day."

Casino Director Paul Vogel ventures a forecast of the anticipated number of guests: "All total, we will probably welcome around 15,000 guests here at Casino Velden during the twelve days of the European Poker Championship."

European poker champion defends title

There are many things in poker, but one is quite a rarity: that a player - in this case a female player - defends her title. Jessica Teusl has managed precisely this. She entered as one of 42 women and in the first hours of the tournament everything was going anything but well for the 27-year old Wiener Neustadt native. But ultimately she was able to prevail in a thrilling duel against Ursula Mattmann Spaar of Switzerland. "It was a tough fight - I'd even given up in the middle of it; but I'm extremely pleased that it worked out again," Teusl said shortly after her win.

Snowboard ace at the poker table

After Olympic snowboard champion Anna Gasser won € 5,000 for the St. Anna Children's Hospital in third place last Friday night at the Celebrity Poker Tournament powered by Casinos Austria on ATV, she also took a seat at the poker table on Sunday to try and win the title of European champion. "From the very start it was really a lot of fun for me," says Gasser, even though her guest appearance was only short-lived. After a good three hours of playing it was over, but it is not likely the last time she will be seen at the poker table.

All information about the European Poker Championship 2018, which is taking place until 29 July, can be found at pokerem.at as well as on Instagram and Facebook under the search term "Poker EM".

Vienna, 24 June 2018

Photo 1: European Poker Championship at Casino Velden
Photo 2: European Poker Champion Jessica Teusl
Photo 3: Winner of the "Showdown at Lake Wörthersee", Adem Marjanovic
© Casinos Austria, reprint free of charge

For more information:

Martin Himmelbauer
Director Corporate Communications
Casinos Austria AG
Tel.: +43/1/53440 – 31900
E-Mail: martin.himmelbauer@casinos.at
Homepage: www.casinos.at

Niklas Sattler
Poker Manager
Casinos Austria AG
Tel.: (+43 ) 664 810 87 68
E-Mail: niklas.sattler@casinos.at
Homepage: poker.casinos.at