The Pokerstars European Poker Tour (EPT) is
a series of poker tournaments, just like those in the World Poker Tour (WPT). EPT was created by John Duthie, who was the winner of the inaugural Poker Million tournament.
After starting in 2004, with seven Texas
Hold'em No Limit poker tournaments broadcast on television across Europe, the
EPT has grown to become Europe's richest and most popular poker tournament
series. The tour now rivals the top events in America and attracts some of the
biggest poker names from across the world.
In seasons 1-3, the most significant
difference between the competing poker tours was the buy-in and its effect on
the prize pool, with the EPT featuring buy-ins about half the size of the WPT.
This changed in season 4 when the buy-in for most EPT events was increased to
€8,000. (Due to increased popularity and lack of space in participating
casinos). At 2007 exchange rates, this is approximately equal to the US$10,000
which is the buy-in for most WPT events.
Furthermore, the final table is made up of
8 players, as opposed to the 6 player final tables popularised by the WPT.
The EPT's star has risen in unison with the
rapidly increasing popularity of poker as a game. The first ever event in
Barcelona was €1,000 to enter, had 211 players and a total prize pool of just
€229,000. By comparison, the EPT Season 3 Grand Final had a buy-in of €10,000,
and attracted 706 players, creating a prize pool of €6,600,000. This made it
the richest poker tournament ever held outside of Las Vegas.
Season 3 of the EPT also saw sell-out
€5,000 tournaments in Barcelona, London, Copenhagen, Dortmund and Warsaw.
