Before the Portomaso Casino fills with eager rounders trying to spin a few euros up at the 2016 Battle of Malta, another big poker festival will be lining the halls.
PokerStars has officially decided to bring an end to its iconic European Poker Tour brand but not before two last blowouts - one at EPT Malta and one in Prague - send it off in style.
Events will continue in each location under the new Global Poker Championships moniker but as far as the EPT goes - and all of its stats and history - this is Malta's last gasp.
It's only been around a couple of years but has already hosted three major festivals to glowing praise and this should be no different with 60+ events and a ton of #StarsFun events to keep players entertained.
PokerStars Cup, Open on Tap for Locals
The usual lineup of major league events will kick off next Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Portomaso with the €10k High Roller.
You'll love Malta too.
The massive €1k Italian Poker Tour Main Event follows the next day which should see another record field.
Also running that day is the very reasonable €300 + €30 buy-in PokerStars Cup, which is a sure bet to see plenty of local talent at the felt.
A €25k, the €5k Main Event and two more €10k HRs will satisfy the pros but dozens of low buy-in events are also on the agenda for locals and visitors.
Most notably the €200 + €20 PokerStars Open will wrap the festival up Oct. 27-29 with lots of lower buy-in events in other variants, from PLO to Crazy Pineapple, inbetween.
Check a few more of the highlight events below:
- NL - Hold’em (October 18-20, 2016) - €10,000 + €300
- IPT Main Event (October 19-23, 2016) - €1,000 + €100
- PokerStars Cup (October 19-23, 2016) - €300 + €30
- €25K High Roller (October 21-23, 2016) - €25,000 + €750
- IPT High Roller (October 22-23, 2016) - €2,000 + €200
- EPT Main Event (October 23-29, 2016) - €5,000 + €300
- NL - Hold’em - Single Day (October 24, 2016) - €10,000 + €200
- EPT High Roller (October 27-29, 2016) - €10,000 + €300
- PokerStars Open (October 27-29, 2016) - €200 + €20
Qualifiers are running daily on PokerStars with plenty of chances still left to earn seats (or packages) on the cheap.
Escape Room, Laser Tag + More
Like an PokerStars EPT Festival there will be plenty to do away from the tables. Beyond the exceptional food and nightlife on offer around the casino poker players will lots of chances to socialize with organized #StarsFun events.
Valletta is a stunner.
If you like to grind the online Spin & Gos - profitably or not - PokerStars is bringing back the live version with three-handed SPnGs from 2-8 pm every day October 20-28.
One of the increasingly popular events for groups of friends is the "Escape Room" challenge. You're 'locked' into a room with a set of clues and the group has to work together to figure a way out.
Along with the more familiar Laser Tag, these two "adrenalin events" will run October 20-24. Email concierge (@) ept-travel.com to reserve a spot.
No EPT would be complete without the signature Player Party and Player Lounge, and if you have your own ideas for future PokerStars festivals bring them to the Ideas Lounge October 19, 20 & 23-25 from 4pm-10pm.
If you've never seen the capital City of Valletta before we can assure you it's worth your while so jump in on the daily 1 pm tour on either the 20th or 24th.
For more details on the scheduled events on or off the tables, check the PokerStars blog.
