Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, the oldest European kingdom with a population of 1.2 million. This is one of the world capitals of design, there’s plenty of extravagant palaces and squares paved, all old history of a millennium. Lynn Gilmartin takes you to visit the city to host between 21 and 26 February next step in the formidable Scandinavian PokerStars European Poker Tour 2011.
Last year I had the chance to attend my first European Poker Tour, with 423 players committed to the Casino Copenhagen, each agreed to pay 35,000 kroner for 2250 in the Main Event. It is ultimately the Swedish Anton Wigg who was out winner of this battle Viking, which brought together the most aggressive players in the world. A feat which had reported a whopping € 493,760.
Discover Copenhagen
This year, the program of festivities will be more or less the same. With two days to one program, all players are sure to enjoy at least one rest day, which will allow sufficient time for sightseeing. Less than 10 minutes from the Hotel-Casino, one finds some of the most famous attractions of Copenhagen. This time of year in Denmark is wonderful. Icy but beautiful. During my travels to Copenhagen last year, I’m frozen feet in the snow, having stupidly forgotten to bring pairs of shoes fit. If you keep your feet warm and dry, nothing will prevent you from fully appreciate your walks in this city of fairy tales.
Copenhagen – Nyhavn, Christiania
Nyhavn is my favorite neighborhood in Copenhagen. It contains a series of colorful houses, pubs and restaurants lining the canal, which should give an impression even stronger in the summer when the sun shines and the stated-channel is not supported by the ice.
Another of my favorite places in town is Christiania, a short distance from the Casino Copenhagen. Last year, several of my colleagues at PokerNews have spent a Friday evening in the ambience of a smoky jazz club. To get there, they should first have to zigzag between all kinds of shady characters gathered around makeshift fire in drums and trying to sell their grass-cons in the aisles. Christiania is a hippie stronghold in central Copenhagen, known as the “Free City” and free of laws, where the sale of marijuana in broad daylight in the streets. The area is littered with signs asking people not to take pictures. So I refrained, self-preservation obliges. Fortunately there is Google, which now allows me to share with you the photos below, taken by the visitors a little more daredevil than me. At Christiana, there are also lots of stands that, I thought at first, would allow me to purchase jewelry-costume. I quickly removed, had realized between the time chosen is in fact limited to a full assortment of bongs! Do not misunderstand me: I’m not here doing the apology drugs ‘soft’, but Christian is really worth a look … .
Amalienborg Palace
Of course, Copenhagen is far beyond its ‘Free City’ and if you visit the city, you will not be entitled to economy Rosenberg Royal Castle and the Palace of Amalienborg where I have imagined a few moments in the garb of Princess Mary Elizabeth. A place that I regret not having had time to visit: Strøget, the longest pedestrian street in the world, filled with shops.
As for the immediate first place in the tournament, I would strongly recommend you try the hot dogs from the gas station, just opposite the Casino Copenhagen. If you have already participated in the EFA, you necessarily know what I mean. Otherwise, you’ll thank me later. Of course, this is not exactly a gourmet food, nor a nutritionist’s dream, but they are perfect for your small-hollow fill during short breaks in the tournament. And anyway, you will not regret anything about Danish cuisine!