In all the commotion and hype over the 2008 World Series of Poker, Europe is now getting excited about its own PokerStars European Poker Tour. Europe’s most prominent poker tour has just released its Season 5 schedule. The tour kicks off September 10, 2008 at Casino Barcelona in Spain with a buy-in of €8,250.
This season, nine tournaments will make up the EPT versus the 11 that composed Season 4. The Grand Final will take place in the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort in Monaco starting April 28. England, Poland, Czech Republic, France, Denmark, Germany, and Italy are the other seven countries hosting the events. Though the Season 5 schedule is yet subject to change, it is as follows:
Casino Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain – September 10-14, 2008
Victoria Casino in London, England – October 1-5, 2008
Hyatt Regency in Warsaw, Poland – November 15-19, 2008
Hilton Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic – December 9-13, 2008
Barrière Casino in Deauville, France – January 20-24, 2009
Casino Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark – February 17-21, 2009
Casino Hohensyburg in Dortmund, Germany – March 10-14, 2009
San Remo in San Remo, Italy – April 18-23, 2009
Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort in Monte Carlo, Monaco – April 28-May 3, 2009
Popularity of the European Poker Tour has grown dramatically from Season 1 in 2003. Season 4 has a prize pool of €38,248, 788 with 5,902 players. This year, the prize pool should be even bigger.
Entry into the EPT is encouraged through playing PokerStars satellites. Buy-ins for the satellites begin at $2.22 or FPPs can be used. Last season, 1,682 players qualified from PokerStars. The Season 4 Monte Carlo Grand Final winner, Glen Chorny, won his seat through PokerStars.
If you do not already have an account with PokerStars, click on the link. This could be your chance to play in the Season 5 European Poker Tour.