The World Series of Poker (WSOP), a U.S.-based event since its inception in 1969, is branching out across the pond.

WSOP officials announced this week the creation of a second WSOP–called WSOP Europe–that will debut next summer in London, England.

“This is the first time bracelet events will be awarded outside of Las Vegas,” said WSOP commissioner Jeffrey Pollack.

“The World Series of Poker Europe will have a unique identity, style and flair, but will remain true to the 38-year tradition and heritage of the World Series of Poker.

“This new tournament has been designed with European players in mind, but registrants from every country are welcome,” he said.

“We hope it becomes an annual tradition for poker enthusiasts and a home for World Series of Poker fans after the action concludes in Las Vegas each summer.”

The first WSOP was held in Reno, Nev., in 1969.

It’s been held every year since in Las Vegas, Nev., with this year’s tournament scheduled to begin in June of 2007, at the Rio casino.

(Championship bracelets were not awarded in the early years of the WSOP.)

WSOP Europe is scheduled to debut on Sept. 1, 2007, with a three-day, $5,000 entry-fee, HORSE tournament at the new Leicester Square casino in London, which is scheduled to open in April of 2007.

(In HORSE, players alternate playing five different kinds of poker: hold ‘em, Omaha, razz, stud and eight or better stud.)

On Sept. 8, 2007, the Leicester Square casino is scheduled to host another WSOP Europe event, a two-day, $10,000 entry-fee, pot-limit Omaha tournament.

On Sept. 10, 2007, the WSOP Europe main event–a six-day, $20,00 entry-fee, no-limit Texas hold ‘em tournament–is scheduled to begin at three London locations: the Leicester Square casino, the Sportsman casino and the Fifty casino.

As the playing field is winnowed, players are to be consolidated at the Leicester Square casino, starting Sept. 13, 2007.

The WSOP Europe main event champion is to be crowned on Sept. 15, 2007.

Between now and the start of WSOP Europe, WSOP officials hope to ink a television deal so the WSOP Europe events can be televised in Europe, and perhaps elsewhere.

WSOP Europe qualifying tournaments or so-called “satellites” are to be held in five U.K. cities prior to the start of  the first WSOP Europe extravaganza.

If WSOP Europe is a success, as WSOP officials expect, a WSOP Asia may be in the cards next.

The WSOP is owned by Harrah’s, which also owns the London casinos hosting the WSOP Europe events and the Rio in Vegas.

For more information about WSOP Europe, visit the WSOP website at www.worldseriesofpoker.com/“>www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)