No More Breaks: EPT Monte Carlo Debuts "Dynamic" Delay for Live Streams

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May 02, 2026 3 min read

The European Poker Tour Monte Carlo festival is well underway, with the €100,000 High Roller for One Drop kicking off a double-header of High Roller action.

Daniel Dvoress leads the way in that one, but the action kicks up another notch on Monday with the €250,000 EPT Super High Roller, the biggest buy-in EPT event ever, with plenty of big names expected.

However, coverage of these events will look slightly different in Monte Carlo. That's because fans can look forward to hours of live coverage, free of breaks and interruptions, thanks to a new "dynamic" delay for the EPT.

Dynamic Delay to Improve Viewer Experience

Interuptions from delays in the middle of the tournament often disrupt the flow of live-streamed action, something PokerStars Ambassador and EPT Commentator James Hartigan is acutely aware of.

"The reality is, every time we take a break from live poker, a not insignificant percentage of the audience switches off," he explained to PokerNews. "So, for the first time ever, we’re employing a “dynamic” delay."

As a result, the broadcast will start later but will have no breaks. The delay at the start may be as much as 3 hours, which will gradually reduce throughout the day.

"Obviously, to preserve game integrity, the delay will never be shorter than 30 minutes. But it means we are able to skip every scheduled break and every unscheduled stoppage."

The dynamic delay is part of a series of changes that PokerStars is planning to implement in the coming months. That's according to Francine Watson, Associate Director, Content & Creative Services.

"PokerStars has always been a pioneer when it comes to live streaming"

"We're not the first to introduce dynamic delay," she says. "But PokerStars has always been a pioneer when it comes to live streaming, and we remain committed to continuously improving and innovating."

With over 20 million YouTube subscribers, Watson says they are doing everything to ensure the best possible viewer experience.

"We know that our existing fans love the stream, but it also enables us to introduce the game to new audiences and help to grow the worldwide poker community."

High Roller Action

The €100,000 and €250,000 buy-in events are the first to experience the new streaming approach, with Cedric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events excite to welcome some of the best players in the world while also supporting the One Drop charity.

"Poker has always had a strong culture of community, and partnering with One Drop allows us to channel that spirit into supporting an incredibly important cause," says Billot.

"The €100,000 High Roller at EPT Monte Carlo attracts some of the best players in the world, and we're excited that this year it will also contribute to supporting global water access."

"There's no better setting than this iconic destination to bring together the world's elite players"

Billot calls the €250,000 Super High Roller the "crown jewel" of the EPT schedule, with the event setting a new record as the largest buy-in in EPT history.

"There's no better setting than this iconic destination to bring together the world's elite players and drive meaningful impact for this vital initiative."

The world's elite will also be in action on a streamed high-stakes No-Limit Hold'em cash game on Wednesday, May 6, aimed squarely at the players who will be competing in the EPT High Rollers.

"It’s going to feature some of the best players and biggest bankrolls in the world," says Hartigan. "The full line-up is still to be confirmed, but expect to see Jason Koon and Patrik Antonius in action."

The names are big, but the stakes are even bigger, with players buying in for €100,000 playing blinds of €200/€400 with a €400 big blind ante.

"With the game playing 8-max, and the prospect of some players reloading, we could see more than €1,000,000 on the table."

EPT Monte Carlo Streaming Schedule

Based in the United Kingdom, Will started working for PokerNews as a freelance live reporter in 2015 and joined the full-time staff in 2019. He now works as Managing Editor. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He also holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism.

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