Welcome back to the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) here at Casino Barcelona, where players are gathering to take their shot at poker glory in the �5,300 Main Event.
Last year, Italy's own Giuliano Bendinelli came back from a single big blind to best the 2,294-player field and take home the �1,491,133 first-place prize.
This year, the field is expected to be even larger, as has been the general trend throughout the history of the EPT. Here's a look at previous champions, field sizes, and prize pools over the years:
Previous EPT Barcelona Main Event Champions
| YEAR | ENTRIES | PRIZE POOL | CHAMPION | COUNTRY | 1ST PRIZE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,082 | �5,247,700 | Mikalai Pobal | Belarus | �1,007,550 |
| 2013 | 1,234 | �5,984,900 | Tom Middleton | United Kingdom | �942,000 |
| 2014 | 1,496 | �7,255,600 | Andre Lettau | Germany | �794,058 |
| 2015 | 1,694 | �8,215,900 | John Juanda | Indonesia | �1,022,593 |
| 2016 | 1,785 | �8,657,250 | Sebastian Malec | Poland | �1,122,800 |
| 2017 | 1,682 | �8,157,700 | Sebastian Sorensson | Sweden | �987,043 |
| 2018 | 1,931 | �9,365,350 | Piotr Nurzynski | Poland | �1,037,109 |
| 2019 | 1,988 | �9,641,800 | Simon Brandstrom | Sweden | �1,290,166 |
| 2022 | 2,294 | �11,125,900 | Giuliano Bendinelli | Italy | �1,491,133 |
Play is set to kick off at 12 p.m. local time. Players will begin with 30,000 in chips with blinds starting at 100/100 with a 100 big blind ante. Levels will last 60 minutes, and players will be sent on 20-minute breaks after every two levels. An extended 75-minute dinner break will be held after Level 6.
Each player will be allowed a single reentry across both Day 1a and Day 1b. Play will end for the day after Level 10, and all remaining entrants from both flights will reconvene on Tuesday, August 29 at noon for Day 2.
Be sure to stick with PokerNews as we continue to bring you all the action from the tournament floor leading to the next EPT Main Event champion!
