WPT Hires Vegas Vets to Run London Classic

The Bellagio.

The World Poker Tour will be taking a little piece of Las Vegas with it when it descends upon London, England at the end of this month.

Two veteran Bellagio floor people will be running the show when the WPT London Poker Classic hits the Palm Beach Casino, Mayfair Aug. 30- Sept. 4.

Jack McClelland, Bellagio's longtime tournament director, will be handling those duties in London, while Bellagio's director of poker operations Doug Dalton will be in charge of the cash games at nearby Crockfords.

"There's a real buzz about the WPT London Poker Classic and it fits that we have chosen to partner with two of the best in the business to oversee the action," said Genting Casinos London poker manager Simon Tomsett.

"Jack and Doug bring experience and stature to the event and cash games. We may not have the water features of Bellagio but we're expecting top tournament action at The Palm Beach Casino and some Bobby's Room magic at Crockfords.

"The WPT London Poker Classic kicks-off the biggest poker month in British history where across all the major events and games we're estimating that £100 million will be wagered through the poker tables in the capital."

Phil Ivey, Tony G, Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott, Alexander Kravchenko, Annette Obrestad, Sorel Mizzi and James Akenhead are already scheduled to play in the £5,000+£300 main event.

The tournament will feature two starting days beginning Aug. 30 and a Sept. 4 8-handed final.

In addition, the WPT and PartyPoker are hosting a £15,000 televised high rollers event Sept. 3-5.

Satellites into the main event at The Palm Beach Casino are already running.