EPT Grand Final brings cash, glamour, stars

The setting of the European Poker Tour's Monte Carlo Grand Final isn't Casino Royale or even its inspiration - that's just a short walk away - but in a city like Monte Carlo an event can't help but be a little posh.

Day 1a of the EPT championship is underway at the Sporting Casino in Monte Carlo and a raft of well-known poker pros - if not glamourous, than at least well-heeled - are studding the tournament's 700-player roster.

The likes of Greg Raymer, Chris Moneymaker, Roland De Wolfe, Carlos Mortensen, Gus Hansen, Phil Hellmuth and Joseph Hachem are just a few of the familiar players who've parted ways with €10,000 to compete in the event.

All this adds up to a €6 million prize pool, with first place taking a €1.6 million piece of the pie.

The six-day tournament will see its final table Saturday, and PokerListings.com will be there for the action.

Find out how the cards turn this week by compulsively checking in with our Live Tournaments Section, where PokerListings.com delivers the best live updates, player interviews and analysis in poker.