Take one step into the Rio's Pavilion Room at the WSOP 2010 and you'll know you've walked into an international event.

Scores of international flags hang from the rafters in the world's largest live tournament poker room, and bad beat stories come in every language.

In honor of the unique international flavor of the WSOP, and with the 2010 World Cup ongoing in South Africa, here are a few of the world's best poker players from amongst the countries playing in the World Cup.

PL.com will continue to research player bios from all 32 World Cup nations, but for now here are five 2010 World Cup countries that are well represented at the WSOP 2010:

UNITED STATES - The poker boom began with the explosion of popularity in the game after the 2003 WSOP, and in the last seven years numerous international stars have arrived on the scene.

A great majority of poker's big names, however, are still from the U.S., and the list of all-time WSOP bracelet winners is dominated by Americans. Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Erik Seidel, Phil Ivey - take your pick.

ENGLAND - The recent wave of British poker success has continued to roll in 2010, with Praz Bansi and James Akenhead of the London-based Hit Squad bringing home big-time results in the past 12 months.

Liv Boeree has become one of the most recognizable faces in the game, while Roland de Wolfe, Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott and Neil Channing are also amongst England's finest.

AUSTRALIA - Jeffrey Lisandro might have very well cemented his legacy as the best ever from down under with his 2009 WSOP Player of the Year performance.

In addition to the four-time bracelet winner Lisandro, Australia also claims 2005 Main Event Champ Joe Hachem and the iconic Tony G amongst its ranks.

DENMARK - The most famous poker player from Denmark happens to be Gus Hansen, who's one of the biggest names in poker.

Hansen's crazy/aggressive style has created something of a stereotype for Scandinavian players, but also hailing from Denmark is 2008 Main Event champion Peter Eastgate, who we haven't heard much from lately.

FRANCE - The French claim a number of poker pros, including three of the game's biggest names.

Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier has emerged as one of the world's top players, along with High Stakes regular David Benyamine. Vanessa Rousso also has dual citizenship in France and the U.S.