Women’s World Open Announced

PartyPoker.com is pleased to announce that the dates have been set for the PartyPoker.com Women’s World Open III at Three Mills Studios in London between Sunday 24 May and Wednesday 27 May 2009. The popular Matchroom Sport organized tournament sees 36 players from around the world battle it out for a $ 108,000 prize pool in the $ 3,000 buy-in event. The winner takes home a cool $ 50,000.

Leading the line-up is PartyPoker.com Premier League III star and inaugural WSOP Europe winner Annette Obrestad, who will have her work cut out in a field that also includes Academy Award nominated actress and WSOP bracelet holder Jennifer Tilly, EPT Dortmund champion Sandra Naujoks, UK Women’s Poker Tour Champion Lynne Beaumont, Late Night Poker finalist Maria Demetriou, Jen Mason and Veronique Gordon.

Also taking part and back to defend her title is Women’s World Open II champion Soraya Homam from Germany, who will face stiff competition from fellow 2008 final table participants Stefanie Bergener, May Maceiras and Eliza Burnett. 46-year-old German poker professional Homam, a veteran on the circuit from Frankfurt, danced a jig with delight after she beat fellow German Stefanie Bergener in an epic heads-up match to scoop $ 50,000 and the title. After a number of swings that saw the balance of power switch a number times, Homam’s A-K suited held-up all-in against Bergener’s A-6 off-suit. The UK’s Beverley Pace won the inaugural Women’s World Open I title.

Norwegian sensation Obrestad already has her eyes on the crown. “I look forward to playing and commentating at the tournament. This will be my first ladies only tourney that is televised so it will be interesting to see if that changes the way they play, and how I’ll have to adjust. Hopefully we’ll see some cat fights!”

Jennifer Tilly is also looking forward to hitting the felt in London. “I really enjoyed playing this event the last time I was here, and I’m looking forward to playing it again. It was a great competition with a good structure, and it was fun to match wits with some of the best female poker players in Britain.”

Eddie Hearn, Director of Matchroom Sport said: “We are excited to welcome a world class field to London in May. It’s certainly the strongest line-up in the events history and with WSOPE champ Annette Obrestad, WSOP bracelet holder Jennifer Tilly and EPT Dortmund champ Sandra Noujoks gunning for the title our viewers are in for a real treat.”

The tournament features six six-seater heats with one six seat runner-up heat. The final table will feature seven players. Commentary will be led by Jesse May, who will be joined by Annette Obrestad and Jennifer Tilly. The action will be broadcast on Five in the UK later this year and then distributed internationally. A limited number of qualifiers are taking place with Equal Chance, International Club, the Blonde Poker community and the Eglinton Casino in Galway all running satellites. The Equal Chance satellite runs this Sunday.