What's up with Swedish/Norweigen players???

[CardSharpCook]

nice post. I've always thought along the same lines in explaining European success in Pstars tourneys (the only site that gives location.) I doubt collusion is a factor or computer hacking or whatever else conspiracy theorists like Indiana come up with. The European players we are exposed to just play better poker. They don't pull donk moves, and they make +EV plays all the time.

[pooh74]

Javla! Ni ar sa roligt!!! Inte vara sa arlig!!

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Javla! Ni ar sa roligt!!! Inte vara sa arlig!!

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That makes little sense [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Anyway, the first post of my part was a sarcastic joke to my neighbour Norway but I think the rest is somewhat true and what Jusander said too.

[Rickyroodido]

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If you lived in that landof ice and snow, you'd play a lot more poker. And you'd take it much more seriously too, because poker may be your ticket out of there. Don't Swedes have a redicullus tax rate too? Perhaps gambling income isn't taxed? Scandanavian players who see this, can you tell us about your tax situation?

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In Sweden we have the highest taxes in the world. Everything is taxed in some way; alcohol, food, tobaco, and to a certain degree poker. If we play on stars I think we should pay tax, but if we win on a europesite, like Prima, its taxfree. The same thing goes live; in Europe free, at lasvegas taxed.
There is a big discussion about poker and taxes. Swedish pros want to pay standard taxes on their winnings, like an ordinary job, claiming its not about luck like other forms of gambling. If they win that discussion it would be alot cheaper to win outside of Europe since the gambling taxes are much higher.

Another issue is the Swedish gambling monopoly. The only place to play live legally is at the state facillity "Casino Cosmopol", with a killer rake. This could explain why many Swedes gamble online.

We have to pay taxes on stars? Oh....

As Norman Chad said, "It's dark half the year."

[Rickyroodido]

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We have to pay taxes on stars? Oh....

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No I dont think so, its an English site isnt?
Sorry about that.
But we "have to" pay on Party. They only check highstakes gamblers, however.

[Rooger]

The scandinavian countries are generally well-educated, and almost everybody has internet access - good for breeding succesful poker players.
The minimum wage is high (much higher than the States for example), which makes it easier for people to start a bankroll.
Before the poker craze, many people had been grinding the internet casino bonuses, which made the jump to poker quick.

Sweden is the leading scandinavian country ATM, but I think Denmark will be next [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
There are lots of very good players lurking in the mid-high stakes, waiting to get their real breakthrough.

[jusander]

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We have to pay taxes on stars? Oh....

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No I dont think so, its an English site isnt?
Sorry about that.
But we "have to" pay on Party. They only check highstakes gamblers, however.

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At least in Finland you only have to pay taxes if the country where the 'site' is located doesn't belong to EEA (Europen Economic Area, Which basicly means EU + Norway, Island and Liechtenstein).

[PunterSThompson]

Australians would figure more prominently if the tournaments werent all at 4am in the morning.

Regards, Punter