The European Poker Tour which is currently in Season 7 has announced a change in its prestigious Grand Final venue. For the past 6 years all roads lead to beautiful Monte Carlo, a venue that attracted the elite of the poker world. Spain already hosts an EPT event that takes place in Barcelona but Madrid is sure to dazzle. The event is scheduled to take place at the Casino Gran Madrid Torrelodones from May 7 to 12. The Grand Final carries the largest EPT prize pool, last year’s prize pool was €8,480,000 ($11,500,000 CAD) with first place winning €1,700,000.
“It is with the greatest pleasure that we are able to announce Casino Gran Madrid as the new venue for the EPT Grand Final. We wanted somewhere new, dynamic and inspiring, and knew that Madrid would tick all the boxes for the travelling poker player, regardless of age or desires. The same familiar team will be running the event and the schedule will, I am sure, provide something for everyone. All the usual qualifying satellites will be held on PokerStars.com and other regional versions of the site, giving all players of all nationalities the opportunity to join us in launching from our new home,” announced EPT chief executive John Duthie on the reasons for switching locations.
Canadians have generally done well at the Monte Carlo EPT. The best finish by a Canadian was in Season 4 when Glen Chorny of Waterloo, Ontario won 1st place in Season 4 to pocket $3,090,000 with fellow Canadian Maxime Villemure of Quebec finishing in 3rd at the same final table to win $1,093,950.
Marc Karam of Ottawa has made two final tables at this event. In Season 2 he placed 4th and Season 3 finished in 2nd place to earn $234,875 and $1,413,291 respectively.
Last year Andrew Chen of Mississauga finished in 5th to win $520,000 in the main event and Sorel Mizzi cashed $186,420 for 6th in the highroller event.
The buy-in for the No Limit Holdem Main Event is €10,600 euros and satellites to EPT Grand Final (seat + expenses) will begin on February 28 with full packages to follow shortly after available on PokerStars.
Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu stated, “I’m excited about the move to Madrid and I’m looking forward to seeing what the capital has to offer. Poker is booming in Spain so you can expect a decent number of local players to attend and ensure a juicy prize pool.”
If you want to be one of the lucky ones heading to the Casino Gran Madrid in the stunningly beautiful city of Madrid in early May, then make sure to download PokerStars here to take advantage of Canada Poker’s 100% up to $600 deposit bonus.
The EPT is currently camped out in Copenhagen, Denmark, where 2008 WSOP World Champion Peter Eastgate has made his return to the felts out of retirement. Eastgate will also play in the National Heads-Up Poker Championship in Las Vegas next month; his future after that point is uncertain.
