13 seasons of the European Poker Tour have seen a lot of different locations.
The beautiful city of Prague has been on the schedule longer than most – for a good reason.
Besides its picturesque, postcard-worthy setting Prague is one of the few locations where the Main Event has regularly attracted more than 1,000 players. Only Barcelona does the same.
Fittingly, then, Prague is about to host the final EPT ever. It's a worthy background for the city has perpetually proven to be the perfect package for a poker event.
Ensan Stuns the Poker World
The venue will once again be the Hilton Hotel right on the Vltava River, one of the top destinations in the Czech capital close to the Old Town and connected to the Atrium Casino.
The Hobbyist.
Past winners of the EPT Prague Main Event include Arnaud Mattern (2007), Salvatore Bonavena (2008), Roberto Romanello (2010), Martin Finger (2011), Ramzi Jelassi (2012), and, most recently, Hossein Ensan (2015).
Ensan stunned the poker community when he – a hobby player who doesn’t play a lot of tournaments – first won the Seniors Event at EPT Barcelona 2014.
He then final tabled the Main Event (finished 3rd), final-tabled the Eureka main event in Rozvadov in Feb. 2015 and the EPT Malta main event in March where he also won two side events.
He won another tournament in September in Rotterdam before deciding to play in Prague, too. He then won one of the most coveted titles in Europe and the last big title of the year.
Who will take down the last EPT title ever? It’s one for the history books and that’s a special incentive no poker player can ignore. Online satellites are still available but will end on December 4.
Check the PokerStars lobby under the Events > Live tab. Over 100 events are on the calendar from Dec. 8-19; here are a few of the major ones:
- €10,300 High Roller – Dec 8-10
- €330 PokerStars Cup – Dec 8-12
- €1,100 Eureka Main Event - Dec 9-13
- €50,000 Super High Roller – Dec 11-13
- €5,300 EPT Main Event – Dec 13-19
- €25,500 Single Day High Roller – Dec 14
- €10,300 High Roller – Dec 17-19
More to Come in Prague?
For now it isn’t known whether Prague will be back on the PokerStars Live schedule next year as they've only announced the schedule for the first half of 2017.
Based on its impressive list of assets, though, it certainly can't be the last we'll see a major poker festival in the Czech capital.
Unquestionably a must visit.
1) It’s centrally located in Europe and easily accessible.
2) It has the flair and grandeur of one of the historically most interesting and important cities.
3) The venue is in the center of the city and inside a luxury hotel so there’s literally no logistics required for players.
4) Great food and drink, architecture, culture, nightlife, history. No matter what streak of life you come from, you’ll find your favorite pastime in Prague.
5) In short it offers everything other big European cities offer but for a third of the price.
PokerListings will be on hand for all the action so stay tuned right here next week - you're sure to see some history made.
