EPT History
The European Poker Tour (EPT) began in 2004 when John Duthie, former winner of the Poker Million tournament, decided to take advantage of the Texas Hold’em boom. He aimed to create a new poker tour that would rival the World Poker Tour (WPT) and World Series of Poker (WSOP). Duthie, with his role in television and alliance with PokerStars (one of the chief sponsors and part owners of the EPT), was in the perfect position to orchestrate the events. He negotiated broadcasting and television deals for the entire series, and to this day, he is still a commentator on the events.
When it began, the European Poker Tour set itself apart from the WPT by having significantly smaller buy-ins and a final table with eight players instead of six. Due to its quick rise in popularity, the EPT increased buy-ins within a few seasons, now comparable to those at the WPT or WSOP (about $10,000). The EPT draws players from all over the world, with final table participants from the United States, Canada, Australia, Republic of China, Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Brazil, and New Zealand.
Season 1
The main event of Season 1 was won by Dutchman Rob Hollink, who beat 210 competitors to take home the €635,000 prize. This event was the first to be held in Monte Carlo, which remained the main event site until Season 7, when the action moved to Madrid.
Season 2
Season 2 added Baden, Austria to the tour, replacing Vienna, which returned in Season 7. The Monte Carlo main event was won by American Jeff Williams, who was only 19 at the time.
Season 3
In Season 3, Deauville, France was replaced by Dortmund, Germany, which did not return until Season 5. Warsaw also debuted as a tour city, beginning a four-season run. American Gavin Griffin won the Monte Carlo main event after qualifying through an EPT satellite on PokerStars.com.
Season 4
Prague, Sanremo, and the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) were added in Season 4. The European sites remain, while the PCA moved to the North American Tour. Canadian Glen Chorny won the Monte Carlo prize, the largest in EPT history.
Season 5
Budapest appeared as a one-shot location in Season 5. Pieter de Korver won in Monte Carlo, taking a €2.3 million prize, making him the second-biggest winner in EPT history.
Season 6
The Season 6 main event was won by Nicolas Chouity, who put Lebanon on the poker map by personally eliminating six of his seven opponents to take the title and €1.7 million prize in Monte Carlo. The event in Sanremo set records with 1,240 players.
Season 7
Season 7 started in Tallinn, Estonia and returned to Vienna for the first time since Season 1. Instead of closing out the year in Monte Carlo, the Grand Final took place in Madrid, Spain. Ivan Freitez won the €1,500,000 prize for first place, becoming the first Venezuelan to win an EPT title.
Season 8
Season 8 added Loutraki, Greece to the lineup and reintroduced the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. Campione was added as an EPT location in Italy. The schedule saw major shuffling as the EPT attempted to reestablish itself in the wake of Black Friday.