The European Poker Tour (EPT) is ending its 2022 run on a excessive notice. The EPT Prague Major Occasion is now underway and has develop into the biggest poker event on document for the favored tour.
Ramon Colillas participates in a poker event throughout the EPT Prague collection. The Major Occasion set a brand new document for attendance in any EPT occasion to this point. (Picture: European Poker Tour)
When the registration books closed in the beginning of play on Wednesday, there have been 1,267 names on the record. Of these, solely 349 had been reentries, that means that nearly 1,200 poker gamers signed up for the €5,300 (US$5,637) occasion.
It’s the primary time that any EPT occasion surpassed 1,200 entries, with the bulk signing up on Day 1B. The entire remaining gamers are after their shot at glory, in addition to a chunk of the €6.11-million (US$6.5 million) prize pool. A complete of 183 gamers will money, with the eventual winner pocketing €1.054 million (US$1.12 million).
Large Names in Prague
A lot of worldwide poker stars made the journey to Prague for the EPT collection and the primary occasion. They’ve come from all over the place, together with as far-off as Japan, Brazil, and Canada.
Two Swedish WSOP winners are representing their dwelling nation and working deep thus far. Simon Lofberg and Jerry Odeen, every with one WSOP bracelet, are at the moment in thirteenth and fifteenth place, respectively.
There have additionally been non-poker professionals who allegedly jumped into the motion. Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué was reportedly on the town to take part, though it isn’t clear if he made it into the occasion. He’s in Prague together with his girlfriend, Clara Chía, with whom he had an affair whereas married to worldwide music star Shakira.
Prague is giving Rozvadov a run for its cash. Kings On line casino in Rozvadov is all the time a preferred cease for poker occasions, however Prague is gaining floor. It not too long ago concluded the Eureka Tour, which broke a document with its 4,017 entries with its predominant occasion. The Eureka Excessive Curler occasion added greater than 30% to its tally from 2021.
There’s nonetheless time for lots of motion within the EPT predominant occasion. The final day is December 18, when somebody will add over $1 million to his or her financial institution.
EPT Battles with WPT
The EPT didn’t appeal to many gamers from the US, however that isn’t a shock. Whereas the EPT is happening, Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas is internet hosting the World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championship.
This event is working from December 12 to twenty and has no scarcity of big names within the subject. Phil Hellmuth, Bryn Kenney, and even Doyle Brunson – the latter solely as a spectator and announcer – have been seen across the tables.
The $10,400 World Championship has additionally been a record-setting occasion. It introduced in 2,960 entries who pushed the prize pool to greater than $29 million, practically doubling the occasion’s $15 million assure.
That makes it the biggest prize pool exterior the WSOP for any occasion with a buy-in underneath $1 million. It’s additionally the biggest prize pool of any poker event ever in Las Vegas, except WSOP occasions. The all-time document goes to the 2006 Major Occasion, which had a prize pool of over $82.51 million.
Brian Rast, Chad Eveslage, and different large names are nonetheless within the hunt. Hellmuth is there as properly, although Phil Ivey exited early. Robbi Jade Lew, who not too long ago triggered a stir in a live-streamed recreation in Los Angeles, hit the rail earlier than Ivey.
