The 2023 PokerStars EPT Barcelona €5,300 main event has already been a blockbuster one in Barcelona, the birthplace of the European Poker Tour. The event attracted an impressive 1,593 unique players and 2,120 entries, marking for just the second time for EPT Main Event drawing more than 2,000 tentries. A total of 678 players returned on Day 2 with an additional 67 late registrants joining them later. After five 90-minute levels of play, Day 2 ended with only 303 players remaining.
The money bubble burst after nearly two hours of hand-for-hand play. Juan Maceiras falling to Jeffrey Hakim missed out on a minimum cash prize of €8,850. Leading the pack into Day 3 is Russia’s Eduard Barsegyan, who bagged 835,000 chips to surpass Ioannis Zachmanidis and Antoine Labat, who is a fresh off a runner-up finish in the €2,200 Estrellas Poker Tour High Roller for €500,000.
Indians challengers are having an exciting run in the ongoing series. Following a commendable final table finish by India’s Ankit Ahuja in the record-breaking €1,100 Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT) Main Event 2023 where he finished 5th for a staggering €177,810, his best live score this year, it is now Paawan Bansal, a veteran poker player, is flying the Indian flag high in this event, having bagged 155,000 in chips. He is positioned at 152nd place in chips and will be looking for a big score for sure.
Bansal is no stranger to big scores, having placed second in Event #75: $1,500 At the 2018 World Series of Poker (WSOP), The Closer No-Limit Hold’em – $1 Million GTD for $378,765 (INR 2.59 Crore).
Will he be able to outwit his strong opponents in this event and earn the coveted €1,488,000 top prize? Given his experience and skills, he certainly can. However, it is too soon to tell anything!
Top 5 Chip Counts After Day 2
- Eduard Barsegyan – 835,000
- Ioannis Zachmanidis – 802,000
- Antoine Labat – 731,000
- Petr Svoboda -724,000
- Ezequiel Waigel – 703,000
Day 3 begins on August 30 at noon local time with blinds of 2,000/4,000 on Level 15. However, there are several days to go until a champion is crowned on Day 7 after winning the €1,488,000 top prize.