If you’re a fan of poker, you may be familiar with the European Poker Tour (EPT). The EPT was a series of high-stakes poker tournaments held across Europe.
From 2004 to 2016, the EPT was one of the premier poker tours in the world. However, in 2016, something happened that changed the course of the tour forever.
The Beginning
The European Poker Tour was first established in 2004 by John Duthie, who had previously worked as a television director. Duthie created the tour as a way to bring high-quality poker tournaments to Europe. The first season of the EPT consisted of seven events and saw Alexander Stevic crowned as the first-ever EPT champion.
Over the years, the tour grew in popularity and stature. More and more players began participating in EPT events, and the prize pools grew larger. In 2011, an EPT event held in London had a prize pool of over £3 million.
What Happened
In 2016, PokerStars announced that they were rebranding their live tournament series. The European Poker Tour was no more – instead, it would be replaced by two new tours: the PokerStars Championships and PokerStars Festivals. These tours would be held across Europe and other locations around the world.
PokerStars claimed that this change was made to make their live events more accessible to players from all over the world. They also stated that they wanted to create an event structure that could be easily replicated in different locations.
However, many fans and players were disappointed by this decision. The European Poker Tour had become an institution within the poker community – it was known for its high-quality tournaments and its ability to attract some of the best players in the world.
What’s Next
While many players were sad to see the end of the European Poker Tour, there is still plenty of excitement to be had in the world of live poker tournaments. The PokerStars Championships and PokerStars Festivals are still going strong, and there are plenty of other tours and events to participate in.
Additionally, online poker is more popular than ever before. Sites like PokerStars offer a range of different games and tournaments for players to participate in. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, there’s something for everyone in the world of online poker.
Conclusion
The European Poker Tour may no longer exist, but its legacy lives on. For over a decade, the EPT brought high-quality poker tournaments to Europe and helped to grow the game across the continent.
While it’s sad to see it go, there are still plenty of other opportunities for players to participate in live and online poker tournaments. Whether you’re a fan of Texas Hold’em or Omaha Hi-Lo, there’s never been a better time to get involved in the world of poker.