PokerStars has announced the first three European Poker Tour (EPT) stops on its highly anticipated 2025 schedule, with the iconic tournaments returning to EPT Paris, EPT Monte-Carlo, and EPT Barcelona.
This announcement follows another successful year for the tour, including a memorable celebration of EPT’s 20th anniversary in 2024. As excitement builds, PokerStars has confirmed more events are yet to be revealed.
“We're excited to announce the first part of the calendar with the return of EPT Paris, Monte-Carlo, and Barcelona for 2025”, said Live Events Senior Business Development Manager, Julien Liarte. “These iconic stops have become cornerstones of the European Poker Tour, each offering unique experiences and unparalleled competition. We can’t wait to welcome players back for another incredible year of live poker.”
To secure a spot in EPT Paris, online satellites are already live. Players can win a €8,000 package that includes a €5,300 EPT Main Event buy-in, eight nights’ accommodation at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile, and expenses. Additionally, players can win a €3,300 package to the France Poker Series Main Event, which includes a €1,100 buy-in, seven nights’ accommodation, and expenses.
With 248 runners still in the field and 238 spots in the money and on Day 2, it means just ten more eliminations are needed before play is done for the day.
Luigi Pignataro opened to 17,000 from early position. Birger Larsen then three-bet to 54,000 from the cutoff. Clement Poletti called in the small blind for 18,000 and was covered by both players.
Pignataro went into the tank before folding.
Clement Poletti: A♠9♥
Birger Larsen: A♣8♦
Poletti stayed ahead across the 2♣2♥10♣ flop and stayed ahead on the 4♠ turn. The 8♠ gave Larsen two pair and the pot, eliminating Poletti in the process. He wished the table luck before departing the tournament area.
Michal Zubek was all in for around 90,000 from the cutoff and had been put at risk by Tatiana Kropaneva in the big blind.
Michal Zubek: 3♦3♣
Tatiana Kropaneva: K♠Q♣
Zubek was flipping for his tournament life and his pocket threes were good through the 2♥10♠6♣ flop. A 6♥ on the turn added a few extra outs for Kropaneva, but the 8♥ river was a brick, which meant Zubek doubled up.
Around 70,000 was in the middle on a flop of J♥5♥4♦, when Amir Shatiat moved all in for 117,000, receiving a call from Sebastian Einbeck, who Shatiat slightly covered.
Sebastian Einbeck: J♦9♦
Amir Shatiat: K♣J♣
Both players had top pair but Shatiat had the better kicker, and it played on the 6♣3♠ runout, with Shatiat celebrating enthusiastically when the river hit.
