Top 5

1. Carlos Mortensen (Spain) $2,120,359

Carlos Mortensen is not only the most successful European to have graced the World Series but is 25th in the all-time WSOP money list. The man from Madrid has won two WSOP bracelets, including the Main Event itself back in 2001 on a fi nal table that included Phil Hellmuth, Dewey Tomko, Phil Gordon and Mike ‘The Mouth’ Matusow. Impressive.

2. Erik Friberg (Sweden) $1,979,189

Yet another successful, aggressive Swedish player who has transferred his online skills to the live game. The former student cashed in with an eighth place fi nish at this year’s Main Event for close to $2m.

3. Andy Black (Republic of Ireland) $1,832,511

The charismatic former Buddhist monk followed up his strong fi fth place fi nish in the 2005 Main Event, which many say he was unlucky not to win, with a couple of WSOP cash fi nishes this year.

4. Julian Gardner (UK) $1,451,200

The Mancunian is the only player to cash in three consecutive Main Events since 2002, when he came second to Robert Varkonyi. At the time (he was 22) Gardner became the youngest player to win over $1m.

5. Daniel Bergsdorf (Sweden) $1,300,000

The second Swede to make the top fi ve, Bergsdorf’s WSOP success comes from a seventh place fi nish in the 2005 Main Event.