Report by Gary Clarke of Bluff Magazine

Day 1:
The biggest European Poker Tour to date took place in Dortmund to a sell-out crowd of 500 players. Each player forked out a whopping €5,000 to enter the latest instalment of the EPT leg in the Casino Hohensyburg. The fee has become tantamount with the high standards of Europe’s leading poker tournaments and the travelling contingent shows no hesitation in dipping into their bankrolls.

With rain threatening the skies and jackets needed inside the casino, the day would spell disaster for many a budding player. Englishmen Dave “El Blondie” Colclough and John Shipley were notable early casualties. Colclough banked on 78 suited being good but was misfortunate to have got himself a caller with A8. The tournament pro will be disappointed with yet another unprofitable EPT excursion. But, you have to consider the vast majority of players here this weekend will leave empty handed. Poker tournaments will always be short on smiling faces.

Despite being in the centre of the continent the Scandinavian invasion continues at break-neck speed here in Germany. Andreas Hagen motored along nicely through the levels and occupied the position of chip leader for the majority of the day. His position in the top ten left him with a decent chance for a profitable weekend. Several big-plays put him in the driving seat despite being moved tables five times in an hour!

His fellow countryman Johnny Lodden was, however, the one truly capturing the public’s imagination once again. The Internet whiz kid has developed into one of Europe’s most feared players. The only player to break the 100,000 in chips mark in day 1a, Johnny steamrolled the field.

He will, no doubt, have his eyes firmly set on the biggest prize in German poker. His name keeps appearing at the front end of these tournaments and this man is on the road to EPT success for sure. Dortmund might well be the location for the formal introduction of the much talked about Lodden to the poker world.

Johnny would eventfully make up a Scandia quintet at the top of the chip standings for today. Along with fellow Norwegian Henning Granstad and Danish duo Hostrugs and Gus Hansen, the Viking type invasion of Europe’s top tournaments looks set to continue for some time. Looking back at day 1a, the day seemed to mirror the dominance of these countries at present.

One man who was singing the blues towards the end of play was Bruce “Elvis” Atkinson. Bruce left the building with just minutes remaining in day 1a. Having battled bravely throughout a hectic day, the brave impersonator was booking an early flight back to Graceland to meet up with his fans. Autograph hunters refused to pounce at this fragile time for Bruce. Perhaps it was just as well. Atkinson will no doubt be rueing his misfortune at being eliminated at such a late stage in a taxing days play.

So with nightfall very much settled and daylight drawing some tired faces were yawning at their watches as day 1a was brought to a close at 4.30am. They will have a day to re-cooperate, re-focus and most of all use their ‘off day’ to re-energize themselves for day 2. The day will whittle the field down to the final table of nine hopefuls. Will the Scandinavian day 1a headliners still be top of the pops following the day 1b's play? It will be very hard to dislodge them no doubt.