LEOCOP changes

Ladbrokes are hosting a massive online tournament this weekend, and there’s been a slight re-jig to the schedule.

Ladbrokespoker.com’s $750,000 guaranteed LEOCOP III main event, has been extended to run across two days, with the event now starting on Saturday at the earlier time of 4pm, and running till midnight to incorporate an overnight break. The remaining runners in the tournament will then start play again at 4pm on Sunday.

Edward Ihre, newly appointed MD of Ladbrokespoker.com commented: "We want players to win tournaments at Ladbrokespoker.com because they play well, not because they outlast other players in what’s an endurance test! We’re keen for our LEOCOP main event to be more about the skill of the poker player and not about their ability to cope with near exhaustion."

"The two day format that we’ve devised is more in keeping with how world class offline events are ran and mean that railbirders get to watch the final table in real time, without having to stay up half the night. I don’t think it will be long before others follow our lead."

Studies show that tiredness can impact on your ability to analyse situations properly and make considered decisions, and the two-day format should help to eliminate this and promote good poker.

The main event, now in its third year, was won last year by London player Grazza, who took the first prize of $230,000. It’s a high-profile event that’s frequented by many of the best European players.

Marty Smyth (PMV V finalist and 2007 Irish Open winner), Jeff Kimber (2007 World Heads-Up Champ) and Roy Brindley (2007 European Masters of Poker winner) are among some of the big names already registered to play in this year’s event.