EPT Barcelona 2023 Aims for Another Record-Breaking Performance

It’s that time of the year when the poker community sets its sights on one of the most awaited poker events of the year – the EPT Barcelona 2023…

EPT Barcelona 2023 Aims for Another Record-Breaking Performance

It’s that time of the year when the poker community sets its sights on one of the most awaited poker events of the year – the EPT Barcelona 2023. Scheduled to run from August 21 to September 3, this year’s festival promises more than just poker, set against the backdrop of the Casino Barcelona, located tantalizingly close to the stunning beach.

The EPT Barcelona kicks off with the Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT) before it melds seamlessly into the main European Poker Tour (EPT) events — this harmonious transition staple of the festival from previous years.

Last year’s EPT Barcelona made history as the 2022 edition went down as the biggest EPT Main Event in the 19-year history of the tour with 2,294 entries, while Giuliano Bendinelli’s recorded a miraculous win, taking home €1,491,133 first place prize, besides being down to a single big blind when six players were left at the table. PokerPro.cc was also represented at the final table, as Norwegian Kayhan Mokri clinched the 6th spot and bagged €334,480.

EPT Barcelona 2023 Aims for Another Record-Breaking PerformanceGiuliano Bendinelli celebrating with his rail.

EPT Barcelona 2023 Key Festival Dates

ESPT Events:

  • Main Event: August 21-27 – €1,100
  • Cup: August 25-26 – €550
  • High Roller: August 26-27 – €2,200

EPT Events:

  • Super High Roller: August 26-28 – €100,000
  • Main Event: August 27-September 3 – €5,300
  • Mystery Bounty: August 30-September 1 – €3,000
  • High Roller: September 1-3 – €10,300

For those unable to attend in person, PokerStars offers a live streaming schedule on their Twitch and YouTube channels. The broadcasts promise to bring the thrill of the event to viewers worldwide, from the €1K Estrellas Main Event final table to the nail-biting final table of the €5K Main Event.

History of EPT Barcelona

The legacy of EPT Barcelona is rich and storied. The European Poker Tour’s inaugural event took place in Barcelona in September 2004. The first-ever €1,000 Main Event saw 229 players battle it out, with Sweden’s Alexander Stevic ultimately lifting the EPT trophy and a prize of €80,000. Over the years, the buy-ins soared to €8,000, yet the enthusiasm remained undiminished. Despite a brief slowdown when dates shifted in the EPT calendar, the momentum rose again in 2010 when the buy-in settled at the current €5,000.

Year Buy-in Entries Prize-pool Winner Country Prize
2022 €5,000 2,294 €11,125,900 Giuliano Bendinelli Italy €1,491,133
2019 €5,000 1,988 €9,641,800 Simon Brandstrom Sweden €1,290,166
2018 €5,000 1,931 €9,365,350 Piotr Nurzynski Poland €1,037,109
2017 €5,000 1,682 €8,157,700 Sebastian Sorensson Sweden €987,043
2016 €5,000 1,785 €8,925,000 Sebastian Malec Poland €1,122,800
2015 €5,000 1,694 €8,215,900 John Juanda Indonesia €1,022,593
2014 €5,000 1,496 €7,255,600 Andre Lettau Germany €794,058
2013 €5,000 1,234 €5,984,900 Tom Middleton UK €942,000
2012 €5,000 1,082 €5,247,700 Mikalai Pobal Belarus €1,007,550
2011 €5,000 811 €4,055,000 Martin Schleich Germany €850,000
2010 €5,000 758 €3,790,000 Kent Lundmark Sweden €825,000
2009 €8,000 428 €3,382,000 Carter Phillips USA €850,000
2008 €8,000 619 €4,952,000 Sebastian Ruthenberg Germany €1,361,000
2007 €8,000 543 €4,181,100 Sander Lyloff Denmark €1,170,700
2006 €5,000 480 €2,304,000 Bjorn-Erik Glenne Norway €691,000
2005 €4,000 327 €1,309,200 Jan Boubli France €426,000
2004 €1,000 229 €229,000 Alexander Stevic Sweden €80,000
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