Here’s another argument for panning off poker as a game of sport (or should I say skill). It can be played outdoors! Sure, it makes sense to bring the tables out on the cabana when you’re playing in say - a Caribbean tropical paradise, which incidentally, is where many top poker tournaments take place. Yet, Leicester Square Park is no Caribbean paradise, and that’s precisely where Europe’s largest free poker tournament, aptly named “Poker in the Park” is going down for the third year in a row.

To be fair, Leicester Square Park certainly has a great deal of charm. And it certainly has the space to accommodate thousands of poker players thronging together in the marquees to get their poker game on. Last year, over 10,000 people showed up to Poker in the Park, and this year, event organizers - Bluff Europe - are expecting up to 25,000 over the course of August 13 and 14, 2009.

Not so much of a poker tournament, per say, Poker in the Park is more like a party. Besides the free poker games taking place, there are live lectures, free lessons, autograph signings with top pros, merchandise, and I would assume some really good beer on tap. Bluff Europe’s Editor in Chief, Michael Caselli, said it best by referring to Poker in the Park as a gathering of poker lovers and enthusiasts from all over Britain to sharpen their skills, meet their favorite professional players and even learn a thing or two from them.

The lineup of pros attending this year’s Poker in the Park has not been confirmed this early on. However, Bluff promises there will be some big names. Last year saw the likes of Devilfish, Neil Channing and Ian Frazer in attendance, while Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet (probably trying to do some damage recovery following the cheating scandals that took place in their online poker rooms), were there hosting a free “Poker Academy”, where players could sit in on free lectures.

Although Poker in the Park III is still four months away, Lyceum Media and Bluff Europe are getting the word out to drum up anticipation and make this year’s event the best yet.