Swedish poker players have a reputation for raising the cards that poker books tell you to throw away. German players are emotionless, calmly clever to a man. Or woman, in Katja Thater's case. Brazilian poker players seem to be classy, flair players. Belgian poker players... Ok, I'll admit I don't know a thing about Belgian poker. However I do know that Poland's poker players are the best in the world!

A team of five young Poles made their country proud in Barcelona last June when they sealed victory in PokerStars World Cup of Poker 2006.


Team Poland winners of the World Cup of Poker 2006
PokerStars has now launched qualifiers for the World Cup of Poker 2007. It costs nothing to enter, and every PokerStars player has the chance to represent their country in this event. Online qualifiers will determine the best eight national teams. These teams will travel to Barcelona to play for the title of World Cup Champions, the final will be taped for TV broadcast. The prize money provided by PokerStars is substantial, here's what those teams can win:

1st: $100,000 ($20,000 per person)
2nd: $60,000 ($12,000 per person)
3rd: $40,000 ($8,000 per person)
4th: $20,000 ($4,000 per person)

I was lucky enough to be blogging at the World Cup last year and I have to say it was the most exciting tournament I've witnessed. Sure, there are bigger cash prizes in the poker world, but it made me realise that poker as a team sport is special. Gone were the usual selfish concerns, every player there wanted to do well for their country and hold high that cup for his team.

If you want to play poker for your country check out our World Cup of Poker page for all the details.