Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the European Poker Tour?

A. The PokerStars.com European Poker Tour (EPT) is a series of major poker tournaments conducted and televised throughout Europe. The fifth season of the EPT starts in Barcelona in September 2008. EPT events take place in some of the most beautiful casinos in some of Europe's most historic cities.

Q. When and where are the EPT Season 5 events taking place?

A.

VENUE	CITY/ COUNTRY	TOURNAMENT	DATES	BUY-IN	CAP
Casino Barcelona	Barcelona SPAIN	EPT BARCELONA OPEN	Sept 10-14, 2008	€8,000 + 250	600
Victoria Casino	London ENGLAND	EPT LONDON	October 1-5, 2008	£5,200 + 200	500
Las Vegas Casino Sofitel Hotel	Budapest HUNGARY	EPT BUDAPEST	October 28 - November 1, 2008	€4,000 + 350	500
Hyatt Regency, Warsaw	Warsaw POLAND	*EPT POLISH OPEN	November 15-19, 2008	PLN 20,000 + 1,000	400
Hilton Hotel	Prague CZECH REPUBLIC	EPT PRAGUE	December 9-13, 2008	€5,000 + €250	600
Atlantis Resort	BAHAMAS	PokerStars Caribbean Adventure	January 5-10, 2009	$9,700 + $300	No limit
Barrière Casino	Deauville FRANCE	EPT DEAUVILLE	20-24 January, 2008	€5,000 + 300	700
Casino Copenhagen	Copenhagen DENMARK	EPT SCANDINAVIAN OPEN	February 17-21, 2009	DKR 50,000 + 2,250	500
Casino Hohensyburg	Dortmund GERMANY	EPT GERMAN OPEN	March 10th-14th, 2009	€5,000 + 300	700
San Remo	San Remo ITALY	EPT SAN REMO	April 18-23, 2009	€5,000 + 300	800
Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort	Monte Carlo MONACO	EPT GRAND FINAL	April 28 - May 3, 2009	€10,000 + €600	1,000

The EPT reserves the right to cancel or alter details of listed events at its discretion.

Q. What is the structure for European Poker Tour events?

A. Most EPT Season 5 events are four-day tournaments - with two Day 1 flights, plus a further two days. (The exceptions are EPT San Remo and the EPT5 Grand Final in Monte Carlo which are five-day events.)

Click here for EPT structure.

Q. What poker game will be played in the EPT events?

A. All EPT events are No Limit Texas Hold'em.

Q. What is the buy-in for EPT events?

A. The buy-in at ETPs varies from event to event, ranging from €5,000 to €10,000 (or its equivalent in local currency). All EPT main events are freezeouts.

Q. Is there an agreement I need to sign to appear in an EPT event?

A. Yes. A condition of entry into any tournament on the EPT will be the completion and signing of a TV release form, details of which can be viewed at the EPT site under Rules and Regulations.

Q. Can I play even if I don't sign the agreement?

A. No; the release form is a requirement for participation in any EPT event.

Q. How old do I have to be to participate?

A. The minimum age to play in an EPT event is established by the host casino. In most casinos, the minimum age is 18.

Q. How much does it cost to enter?

A. We encourage you to win your entry by playing in one of the PokerStars satellites. Satellites buy-ins start from $2.22 (or 111 Frequent Player Points). There will also be free satellites where you may use your FPPs to buy-in, as well as the popular Steps satellites. Open the PokerStars lobby, click Events and EPT for satellites to the events. If you fail to qualify and would still like to play in an EPT event, you may buy directly into a tournament through the host casino. See each specific event page for details.

Q. Can I buy into an EPT tournament using W$?

A. Yes. Players may buy in to EPT events using W$ providing they have PlatinumStar or Supernova VIP status on PokerStars. This service depends on availability. Requests for W$ direct buy-ins must be submitted to registrations@pokerstars.com and requests need to be received before the final online qualifying tournament on PokerStars (typically two saturdays before the event) and whilst PokerStars still has seats to sell.

To avoid disappointment, please notify PokerStars as soon as possible if you want to buy-in directly. Players may buy seat-only packages at the going exchange rate on the day of registration, or they may also buy EPT accommodation packages - depending on availability.

All W$ buy-ins to EPT events will be PokerStars sponsored players for that EPT event, and they are required to wear a PokerStars shirt for the duration of the tournament. All players who buy-in with W$ will be supplied with a PokerStars player bag.

Q. Can I buy into a satellite on PokerStars using T$?

A.Yes.

Q. Can I sell my seat if I win?

A. No. You must play the first seat you win. If you are fortunate enough to win additional seats, your PokerStars account will be credited with W$ for the package price, and the spending allowance will be credited in cash $.

Q. I won! What do I do now?

A. You will receive an email from PokerStars describing the basics of the package and telling you what to do next. You will also receive a "follow up" email just prior to the event.

Q. My package included spending money. What's that for?

A. The spending money (which has been credited to your PokerStars account) is for airfare and other travel expenses.

Q. Will I have access to my PokerStars account to get cash while I'm attending an EPT event?

A. No. Please bring all the cash you need for incidentals and side play.

Q. Is my food included in the price of the trip?

A. Breakfast is included as part of your hotel package but you will be responsible for further food costs. Many casinos offer a free buffet service for players.

Q. Who is running the EPT events?

A. See About the EPT for details.

Q. Do I need a passport to attend an EPT event?

A. Yes. All players traveling abroad will need a passport - and you will need to present your passport at the casino for entry/registration.

Q. Do I need a Visa to attend an EPT event?

A. European Citizens do not need a visa to attend EPT events. For other countries, please ask your travel agent.

Q. How will I be paid if I win the tournament?

A. This will depend on the host casino's own procedures and could be cash, cheque or bank transfer.

Q. I have won a PokerStars EPT prize package (including seat, hotel and spending money) - can I bring a guest?

A. Yes. If you have qualified for the tournament through PokerStars.com, your prize package includes a double room where your guest may sleep at no extra cost. However, all other costs incurred by your guest, such as meals etc, will not be covered in your prize package.

Q. I have won a PokerStars EPT prize package - do I have a hotel reservation?

A. Yes. Your hotel room will be booked in your name by PokerStars for the specified dates. If you need to extend or amend your stay, you must contact the hotel directly. PokerStars cannot do this for you. Players who have bought in direct, media or anyone else planning to attend an EPT event should visit www.epthotels.com to take advantage of our special hotel rates. For further information, please e-mail info@epthotels.com or call +34 93 352 1010.

Q. What clothes should I bring?

A. Some of the EPT host casinos have a "smart casual" dress code (eg no sneakers, no vests, no shorts, no ripped jeans). Please see specific event pages for full details.

Q. What is the currency in Europe?

A. The Euro (€) is the main currency for all EPT destinations - apart from London, UK (£ sterling), Copenhagen in Denmark (Danish Kroner), Prague in the Czech Republic (Czech crown), and Warsaw in Poland (Polish Zloty).

• The dollar/euro exchange rate is approximately $1=€0.54.
• The sterling/euro exchange rate is approximately £1 = €1.26.
• The Danish Kroner (DKK)/euro exchange rate is approximately €1 = DKK 7.45; $1 = 4.81 DKK
• The Polish Zloty (PLN)/euro exchange rate is approximately €1 = PLN 3.4; $1 = PLN 2.16
• The Czech crown (CZK)/euro exchange rate is approximately €1 = CZK 25 ; $1 = CZK 16

For up-to-the-minute exchange rates, visit www.xe.com.

Q. What payment methods can I use for buy-ins?

A. Please see each event page for full details.

Q. Will I need special identification to enter casinos in Europe?

A. Yes. You will need to present your passport.

Q. What logos am I allowed to wear?

A. The European Poker Tour has strict rules on the wearing of branded logos by players at EPT events. Please click here for the Rules and Regulations page.

Q. Will I appear on television?

A. It's possible! EPT events are televised, including a featured 'show' table. The EPT TV show is produced by Sunset+Vine and is broadcast on terrestrial and TV channels across the world. All EPT contestants are obliged to sign a TV waiver form before play commences. Any player who does not sign the TV waiver will not be allowed to participate in the tournament.

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