It’s hard to imagine the time when John Duthie created a new poker tour eyeing the popularity of Texas Hold’em back in 2004. With 1,468 players in the first season playing at Barcelona who knew the European Poker Tour(EPT) will set a new benchmark in poker events worldwide. Since then, Barcelona has been the most favourite stop of the tour every year. As EPT celebrates the 100th Main Event this summer, it will reach a historic milestone in the same city where it all started. Poker players have already assembled to join the festival as Season 11 kicked off on 16th August.
In past 10 years, European Poker Tour has seen 60,450 players on its tables from all over the world. A total prize worth of over € 617 million, including € 357 million in the Main Event have been cashed by them in the 10 seasons. Pieter de Korver and Mike McDonald are the top earners till date at EPT.
The announcement of the 100th event created a buzz across the poker community months before the tour. In 2013, the €5,300 EPT Main Event drew more than 1,200 players. Tom Middleton from England won the title, taking home the prize money of €924,000. The officials of EPT foresee the winning sum shoot beyond €1,000,000 this season.
The 12-day poker festival which is scheduled to climax on 27th August will feature a total of 43 events. Expecting a rise in attendees this season, 20 extra tables have been spread out to accommodate the poker lovers checking-in at the Casino Barcelona. Once again EPT has tied up with Estrellas Poker Tour and will host several new tournament formats enabling players to gain maximum attempts of win. This season, ETP has dedicated events for people aged 50+ in form of €200 and €1k Seniors Events. A reduced buy-in (from €300 to €200) for Women’s event has drawn a new lot of women poker players.
The key events are:
• €1k Estrellas Main Event: August 16-21, 2014
• €300 Estrellas Mini: August 16-21, 2014
• €50k Super High Roller: August 18-20, 2014
• €200 Women’s Event: August 24, 2014
• €5,300 EPT Main Event: August 21-27, 2014
• €10k High Roller: August 25-27, 2014
Indian poker fraternity is also excited about the ETP season 11 as Aditya Aggarwal and Muskan Sethi have joined the contest at Casino Barcelona. Aditya who skipped Macau Poker Cup this year to participate in ETP season 11 leads Team India’s hopes at the EPT Barcelona.
To celebrate the 100th Main Event, the officials of ETP have made arrangements for several free player activities to enjoy in Barcelona. Speed boat, Jet Ski and Beer Bike are the main highlights of entertainment activities.
For full details of European Poker Tour, Season11 – Barcelona, please visit the official website here