PokerStars expects 300 players to qualify online, roughly 130 more than we saw one year ago.
“EPT’s relationship with PokerStars creates a unique opportunity for players to turn a small online investment into a chance to win millions of Euros,” said EPT President Edgar Stuchly.
PokerStars has always boasted the most robust qualifying programs in online poker but Stuchly says they’re continuing to expand, offering new and more affordable ways to win a seat in a major live event.
“For EPT Barcelona and throughout EPT Season 9 there will be a greater variety of buy-in levels and qualifying formats including Seat-Only and Seat + Expenses prize packages,” he said.
EPT Barcelona is running August 15 – 25 at the Casino de Barcelona and the Arts Hotel, located directly adjacent to the casino in Barcelona’s Port Olimpic.
And in keeping with the EPT’s new philosophy of making each stop on the tour a true festival of poker, there will a host of tournaments beyond the main event.
High-Roller Action a Draw at EPT Barcelona
Highlighting the tournament schedule is a €10k Heads-Up Championship, a €10k 8-Handed No-Limit event plus a €50k Super High Roller tournament.
“I’m very excited about all the high roller action that is on the schedule for the EPT Barcelona festival,” said Team PokerStars Pro Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier. “There’s lots to keep players like me happy, including a great Heads Up Championship event, which mixes up the format a bit from the traditional No Limit Hold’em events.
“I’m also looking forward to taking on my fellow pros in the €50,000 Super High Roller,” added Grospellier.
Also confirmed to participate in the action at EPT Barcelona are ElkY’s fellow Team PokerStars Pros Liv Boeree, Jason Mercier, Luca Pagano, Daniel Negreanu, defending world champion Pius Heinz and Vanessa Selbst who just won her second WSOP gold bracelet this summer in Las Vegas.
Estrellas Poker Tour Joins EPT for First Time
And for the first time PokerStars.com’s regional Spanish poker tour, the Estrellas Poker Tour, will be joining the EPT at the Casino de Barcelona.
Including the Estrellas main event and €2,000 High Roller tournament, EPT Barcelona will feature a staggering 47 tournaments over 11 days.
Spanish Team PokerStars Pro Juan Manuel Pastor said, “I’m really excited about the EPT Barcelona festival and am looking forward to welcoming poker players from around the world to one of Spain’s most exciting cities.”
But poker isn’t the only way for one to spend their time in the Spanish port city.
“I hope to find some time away from the tournament to check out the sights, especially the Nou Camp to watch the opening La Liga match and catch some of the Spanish Euro 2012 Champions in action,” said Pastor.
For a shot at winning your own seat at EPT Barcelona sign up directly for the best bonus available anywhere. To find out if PokerStars is right for you, read our comprehensive PokerStars.com room review.
Visit www.pokerlistings.com