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 6^th spot and bagged €334,480.

Giuliano 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.