2026 PokerStars EPT Monte-Carlo
Level: 5
Blinds: 200/500
Ante: 500
PokerStars has rolled out a major update to its Power Path qualification system, introducing a brand-new $530 Bronze Power Pass as part of a restructure designed to smooth out progression between buy-in levels.
The changes, which came into effect on April 27, leave the upper echelons of Power Path unchanged with the $10,300 Gold Pass and $2,500 Silver Pass both remaining in place, while the main adjustments come further down the ladder, where PokerStars has reshaped its Bronze tier and added a new entry point for lower-stakes players.
The Day 1b field has been sent on another 20-minute break.
Scott Wellenbach fired a bet of 8,000 into the pot of 13,500 on the 6♦2♣J♠5♥ turn. He was then put all-in by Pasi Laihinen, and Wellenbach quickly called off his stack of 19,100.
Scott Wellenbach: A♥A♦
Pasi Laihinen: Q♠Q♣
Wellenbach improved his aces to top set on the A♣ river, doubling up in style.
In a pot worth 6,500, Almira Skripchenko checked the K♥8♥6♣ flop from under the gun to Fahredin Mustafov in the next seat over. Mustafov flicked in a bet of 2,400, which Skripchenko raised to 6,400.
Mustafov called to the 3♥ turn, where Skripchenko reverted to checking. Mustafov inquired about Skripchenko's remaining chips before he put her all-in for 12,000. Skripchenko wasted no time and snap-called.
Almira Skripchenko: A♥7♥
Fahredin Mustafov: A♦J♥
Mustafov was drawing dead against the nut flush of Skripchenko, and she was awarded her double-up when the inconsequential Q♥ river completed the board.
The action was joined as Jeremie Zouari already had his stack in the middle, and was at risk versus Dominykas Karmazinas.
Jeremie Zouari: 10♥10♣
Dominykas Karmazinas : A♦A♣
The deck was unable to save Zouari, as the Q♦5♠J♣2♦9♦ board confirmed his elimination.
Seeing the complete board of 5♥J♣6♥9♣8♠, Daniele Sacchi fired a pot-sized bet of 17,500 from middle position. Julien Vecchioli went deep into the tank on the button, eventually electing to call off.
Sacchi showed 9♥7♥ for a rivered straight. Vecchioli shook his head as he saw the majority of his stack shipped to his opponent, being left with just under four big blinds.
Taran Parmar limped in under the gun. It folded to Abdullah Turan in the small blind, who upped it to 1,400. Fabiano Cappelli called in the big blind, and Parmar tossed in calling chips as well.
Turan then fired a bet of 3,300 on the 10♠3♦6♣ flop. Cappelli quickly folded, but Parmar called to stick around. Turan's bet of 5,200 on the 7♣ turn did not shake Parmar either, as the latter called to see the 8♥ river.
Turan completed his triple barrel with a bet of 5,400. Parmar quickly made the minimum raise to 10,800, and Turan called to showdown.
Parmar tabled 10♣9♣ for a rivered straight, and Turan sent his cards into the muck in defeat.