European Poker Tour (EPT)

What is the European Poker Tour (EPT)?

The EPT is a series of high buy-in live poker tournaments founded in 2004 by Stuart Nash and PokerStars. Modeled after the WSOP and WPT but exclusively European-based, it has become the most prestigious poker tour outside North America. Main Event buy-ins are typically €5,000, with super high rollers reaching €100,000. PokerStars (now owned by Flutter Entertainment) operates and brands every stop. Each Main Event typically draws 700-1,500 entries.

Where does the EPT take place?

Current regular stops (2026): EPT Monte Carlo (the Grand Final, held at Casino de Monte-Carlo), EPT Barcelona (largest stop, August), EPT Prague (December), and EPT Cyprus (resumed in 2022 after a multi-year gap). At its peak during Seasons 6-10 (2009-2014), the EPT ran ~12 stops including London, Berlin, Vienna, Sanremo, Madrid, and Deauville. The schedule contracted after 2016, then rebuilt post-COVID.

How much does it cost to play the EPT?

Main Event buy-ins are typically €5,000-€10,300. The Monte Carlo Grand Final Main Event is €5,300. Side events range from €1,000 satellites to €100,000 Super High Rollers. The Big One-style €100K Super High Roller at Monte Carlo regularly attracts 50+ entries. Online satellites on PokerStars start at ~$11, making the EPT one of the cheapest tours to qualify for relative to its prestige.

Who has won the EPT?

Notable past Main Event winners include Scott Seiver, Dario Minieri, Sam Trickett, Bertrand 'ElkY' Grospellier, Vicky Coren Mitchell (only two-time EPT Main Event winner), and Mikalai Pobal. The EPT's all-time money list is dominated by European pros plus traveling Americans. Season 14 (2017-18) was briefly rebranded 'PokerStars Championship' before reverting back to EPT branding in 2018.

Was the EPT ever robbed?

Yes — the 2010 EPT Berlin Main Event was famously interrupted when four masked robbers stormed the tournament floor at the Hyatt Hotel with machetes and a hand grenade, attempting to steal the cash prize pool. The event was suspended; play resumed the following day. All robbers were eventually caught and convicted. The incident remains the most notorious security breach in major-tour poker history and led to permanent changes in how live tour cash is handled.