European Poker Tour
The European Poker Tour (EPT) began in 2004 as part of the worldwide explosion in Texas Hold 'em popularity. It shows a series of poker tournaments similar to those in the World Poker Tour (WPT).
The most significant difference between the competing poker tours is the buyin and its effect on the prize pool, with the EPT featuring buyins about half the size of the WPT. The resulting effect upon the EPT is that it has less "star power" and lower cash prizes. Nevertheless, winners of the first two EPT events took home prizes in the $100,000 range, lucrative enough to attract many top competitors.
Furthermore, the final table is made up of 8 players, as opposed to the 6 player final tables popularised by the WPT.
The EPT is sponsored by PokerStars.com and taped for television broadcast in the United Kingdom by Sunset & Vine and Channel 4.
The tour was created by John Duthie, winner of the inaugural Poker Million tournament.