Sure, you can head to the London's Docklands, dodging stray anchor chains as you offload another crate of bananas. You can get your banjo out, throw out a peaked cap and busk until your thumbs bleed. Or, you can head to Aspers Casino, and immerse yourself in the first live experience of a brand spanking New Year for 888poker.

888poker Live

Here’s the thing with 888poker LIVE events.

They're for the people who go to sleep at night and wake up in Wonderland where it rains chips, streams glisten with perseverance and sweat, and in the heart of the land sits a table made out of playing cards.

If that’s a familiar dream, then you’ll love the newest addition to 888poker LIVE events – “Action Clocks” – first introduced in the October LIVE event in London. A timer begins after the last card is dealt and each player is given a certain amount of time to act. How’s that for keeping the action alive?

If that’s not enough, you’ll also be surrounded by some of the most amiable stars of the game. 888poker has them lined up like luxury liners in a Monte Carlo harbour.

Do you want to know what it feels like to compete with the very best players at the very highest stakes in the world? Then grab a seat next to Dominik Nitsche. Only 11-players have won more money playing live tournaments than the four-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner in 2017 after defeating a field of 132 entrants to take down the $4m first prize in the $111,111 One Drop High Roller at the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) in November.

888poker Live

And bring a pen.

The most successful online multi-table tournament (MTT) player of all-time, , will also be putting his talents on display. The British born pro has had a kick-ass time of late, making three final tables in Stateside events, and will be looking to transfer that blend of luck and skill to the tables in Aspers. And who knows, maybe he will go all Barry Greenstein and give you an autographed copy of his book should you knock him out.

If those three don’t do it for you then don’t worry, 888poker’s ambassadorial team is like English Mustard. Hot. Hot. Hot. Kara Scott, Vivian Saliba, and Natalie Hof are all scheduled to appear on opening night where charity makes an appearance on the running order.

‘Friends' of 888poker will join the Ambassadors in a $10k charity event streamed live on Twitch. Each participant will choose a charity, and the top three places will do some good in the world with $5k going to the winner's charity, $3k to second, and $2k for third. Stay tuned for the word on who those ‘friends' will be.

888poker will stream the event on Twitch. Nick Wealthall joins David Tuchman in the commentary booth. The names of those ‘Friends' remain a secret for now.

888poker Live

Time to Fire The Opening Salvo

So pull up outside, swing open that passenger door, and dive into the opening event. Use your Christmas money to pay the £440 entry fee. And if you don’t have that much in your festive piggybank then 888poker has your back with satellites running daily.

Here is the schedule:

Monday 5 Feb 3 pm

Tuesday 6 Feb 3 pm

Wednesday 7 Feb 3 pm

Thursday 8 Feb 3 pm

Friday 9 Feb 3 pm

The event takes place over four starting flights, with a final day to settle things and find our first big winner of the new year.

Flights

Flight 1 - Thursday 8 Feb 6 pm

Flight 2 - Friday 9 Feb 6 pm

Flight 3 - Saturday 10 Feb 2 pm

Flight 4 - Saturday 10 Feb 7 pm

Final Day

Sunday 11 Feb 1 pm

So there you have it.

The clock is ticking.

It’s time to welcome the black bogeys of the underground. It’s time to visit the smoke. It’s time for 888poker LIVE.

Lee Davy is a poker writer and live reporter who has worked for all the top names in the industry, including the WPT, the WSOP as well as 888poker.