The 2022 EPT Set to Begin in Prague Without Strict COVID Policing
It has been over two years since a European Poker Tour (EPT) event has taken place outside of Russia. Next month the celebrated series of poker festivals gets back on track with King’s Casino Prague staging the first leg of the 2024 PokerStars organized tour.
Tense action at a 2011 EPT event in Madrid between Germany’s Benny Spindler and Bertrand ‘Elky’ Gropellier from France. ©GettyImages
Originally scheduled for December 2021, the Prague EPT was forced to be rescheduled at the eleventh hour when a fresh wave of Covid-19 brought about a 30-day state of emergency across Czechia.
Prague EPT is Certificate Free
In an amazing turnaround, organizers have now announced players attending the 2024 event – staged between March 5th and March 16th – will not require a covid-certificate, proof of vaccination, or a Covid-19 test to attend the EPT Prague tournaments.
However, all persons entering the casino must undergo a temperature scan and wear a face mask when in the casino and when playing at the tables.
Stringent Covid related rules on entering the Czech Republic do remain in place. It means Passenger Locator Forms must be completed on arrival and visitors must also have a valid digital EU Covid Certificate or proof of a negative PCR test.
Which Countries and Cities Will the EPT Visit in 2024?
Prague was the venue for the last EPT played in the EU. It took place in December 2019. Then Belarusian player Mikalai Pobal won the main event and took home a €1,005,600 prize.
Just three EPT’s have been played since – all in Sochi. The Russian resort – famed for staging the 2014 Winter Olympics and an annual Formula 1 race – will act as host to the second EPT of 2024. The dates for that event are March 18th to March 27th inclusive.
No further dates or venues for additional 2024 EPT’s have been announced by PokerStars. However, it would be a surprise if Barcelona does not stage an event during the year. The Spanish city has hosted an EPT every season since 2005.
London has staged 11 EPTs. The first, in 2004, fell to John Shipley. But it is almost eight years since the tour visited the British capital. With the UK currently featuring the slackest Covid laws in Europe, it would be no surprise if 2024 would mark the cities return.
EPT by Numbers
The 2024 Prague event will be the 125th live EPT ever played. Remarkably, only two players have won more than one main event: Victoria Coren Mitchell and Mikalai Pobal have two titles apiece.
Victoria Coren Mitchell, presenter of the BBC television quiz show Only Connect, has won two EPT titles. ©GettyImages
With $3.4 million in EPT main event prizemoney, Canada’s Mike McDonald is the most successful player from a financial viewpoint. Another Canadian, Glen Chornet, sits second on the list with $2.7 million in earnings.
Representatives from the United States have landed 17 EPT main event titles. German players have won 15. A British player has not taken an EPT since 2015. Nevertheless, the nation has won a combined total of 14 titles.
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