The EPT made an explosive debut in Italy last season with a massive field at Casino San Remo. Every seat in the house sold out as 701 players put up €5,000 or qualified online to compete for €3.1 million in cash.
PokerStars qualifier Jason Mercier rose above the rest to capture the title and €869,000 in one of the final table battles of the season. His tournament hinged on one jaw-dropping hand. Aggressive French player Eric Koskas had moved all-in on a board reading 5-J-6-8-8. Clutching only 9-5 and facing a make-or-break decision, Mercier went deep into the tank. After several agonising minutes, Mercier did the unthinkable. He slammed his cards down and made what looked like an impossible call with just bottom pair. Koskas turned to the crowd in disbelief, his stone cold bluff crushed by what he later described as the single best play he had ever seen.
With an online qualifier lifting the trophy and two more reaching the final table, it was a great week for PokerStars players. Team PokerStars Pro was out in force too, as the home crowd roared Italian superstar Dario Minieri all the way to third place.
SCHEDULE EPT SAN REMO 2009
Online Qualifiers
Online qualifiers are running now at Pokerstars
EPT San Remo satellites
From April 11-17, satellites are being held twice a day at Casino Sanremo for the EPT main event. At 15:00 each day, there is a €275+25 re-buy event (unlimited re-buys for first 3 levels with double add-on) and at 20:00 each day there is a €550+50 freezeout event.
EPT Grand Final satellites
From April 24-26, satellites are being held twice a day at Casino Sanremo for the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo. At 15:00 each day, there is a €275+25 re-buy event (unlimited re-buys for first 3 levels with double add-on) and at 20:00 each day there is a €550+50 freezeout event.
EPT San Remo Schedule
April 18: 14:00 *EPT Main Event - Day 1a €5,000 + 300
April 19: 14:00 *EPT Main Event - Day 1b €5,000 + 300
April 20: 14:00 EPT Main Event - Day 2
April 21: 14:00 EPT Main Event - Day 3
April 21: 16:00 NLHE €2,000 + 200 (3-day event) (20,000 chips/60 min. levels)
April 22: 14:00 EPT Main Event - Day 4
April 22: 16:00 NLHE €1,000 + 100 (2-day event) (10,000 chips/45 min. levels)
April 23: 14:00 EPT Main Event - Final Table
April 23: 16:00 NLHE €500 + 50 (10,000 chips/30 min. levels)
* 3% of all tournaments witheld for tournament staff
Qualify online for your seat to the EPT San Remo now at Poker Stars
(use the code STARS50 to get $50 free when you sign-up)