EPT Monte Carlo Gets Under this Week: Poker, Helicopter Rides, and Ferraris for All

PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) is pitching up in Monte Carlo this week for 14 days of action on and off the felt. 

The millionaire’s playground has been a stop on the tour since its inaugural season in 2005. In fact, Casino Monte Carlo played host to the EPT Grand Final for a number of years. 

Although it’s no longer the last stop of the season, Monte Carlo remains one of the EPT’s premier destinations. This year’s EPT Monte Carlo will be no different. 

As well as tournaments costing between €550 ($605) and €100,000 ($110,450), there will be plenty of extracurricular activities, including daily helicopter trips and Ferrari driving experiences. 

EPT Monte Carlo Takes Centerstage 

The action begins on April 26 with the €1,100 ($1,200) France Poker Series (FPS) main event. From there, two more FPS tournaments will play out before the EPT takes centerstage inside Salle des Etoiles at the Monte Carlo Bay Resort & Hotel.

A €100,000 ($110,450) super high roller with unlimited re-entries on April 29 gets EPT Monte Carlo off to a flying start. As that event draws to a close, the €5,300 ($5,850) EPT Monte Carlo main event gets underway on April 30. 

EPT Monte Carlo 2023 Highlights

• April 26 to 30: €1,100 ($1,200) FPS Main Event
• April 28 to 29: €550 ($605) FPS Cup
• April 29 to 30: €2,200 ($2,400) FPS High Roller
• April 29 to May 1: €100,000 ($110,450) EPT Super High Roller
• April 30 to May 6: €5,300 ($5,850) EPT Main Event
• May 2 to 4: €3,000 ($3,300) EPT Mystery Bounty
• May 4 to 6: €25,000 ($27,600) EPT High Roller

Previous winners of the EPT Monte Carlo main event include, inaugural champion Rob Hollink (2005), Steve O’Dwyer, and last year’s victor, Marcelo Simões. The 2022 EPT Monte Carlo main event attracted 1,073 entries, which meant Simões banked just short of $1 million after beating Morten Hvam heads-up.

This year’s EPT Monte Carlo main event is expected to be just as popular. Indeed, with online qualifiers heading to Monaco and plenty of side events to keep the pros occupied, interest is bound to be high. 

Fun and Frolics in a Millionaire’s Playground

However, in true PokerStars fashion, EPT Monte Carlo won’t be all about poker. As a homage to the lavish surroundings, PokerStars has organized a variety of off-the-felt activities. Those in attendance will be able to enjoy daily helicopter tours of the French Riviera.

Also on the menu are supercar driving experiences where guests can test drive a Ferrari or Lamborghini under the supervision of experts. Finally, as is customary at all EPT events, there will be an exclusive party on April 29. 

The circus-themed “chic event” will take place at Jardin of Monte Carlo Bay Hotel and feature performances from Planete Vapeur and music from PokerStars’ in-house DJ, Zoya. 

By all accounts, EPT Monte Carlo will be as much of a party as the recent Caribbean Adventure. In fact, as it did in the wake of its Caribbean Adventure, PokerStars is hosting an online version of EPT Monte Carlo from April 30 to May 6. Players with access to PokerStars dot.com international network can take part in a series of “mini” EPT Monte Carlo events costing between $5.50 and $55. 

The 2023 World Series of Poker is fast approaching, but there’s plenty of tournament action to enjoy in Monte Carlo beforehand. Therefore, PokerStars’ tournament team is pulling out all the stops to make sure it delivers value for everyone at one of the most expensive stops on the circuit.