The EPT made an explosive debut in Italy last season with a massive field at Casino San Remo. Every seat in the house sold out as 701 players put up €5,000 or qualified online to compete for €3.1 million in cash. PokerStars qualifier Jason Mercier rose above the rest to capture the title and €869,000 in one of the final table battles of the season.

His tournament hinged on one jaw-dropping hand. Aggressive French player Eric Koskas had moved all-in on a board reading 5-J-6-8-8. Clutching only 9-5 and facing a make-or-break decision, Mercier went deep into the tank. After several agonising minutes, Mercier did the unthinkable. He slammed his cards down and made what looked like an impossible call with just bottom pair. Koskas turned to the crowd in disbelief, his stone cold bluff crushed by what he later described as the single best play he had ever seen.

With an online qualifier lifting the trophy and two more reaching the final table, it was a great week for PokerStars players. Team PokerStars Pro was out in force too, as the home crowd roared Italian superstar Dario Minieri all the way to third place.

VENUE

Casino Sanremo
Corso degli Inglesi 18
Sanremo (IM)
Tel: +39 (0) 184 5951

Opening hours: Slot machines from 10:00, European and American games 14.30.
Dress code: No sportswear, shorts or ripped jeans. Sneaker/trainers accepted. Poker players may wear sunglasses and caps only inside tournament area, not in the main casino. Jackets are required in the main casino, but not in the poker area.
Minimum age: 18
Sanremo Casino hosts many popular chemin de fer, roulette and blackjack tournaments, as well as poker tournaments.

WELCOME PARTY

PokerStars is hosting a welcome party for EPT San Remo at the spectacular Victory Morgana Bay club on San Remo seafront from 8pm until 11pm on April 17, the eve of EPT San Remo main event. For PokerStars qualifiers staying at Castellaro Golf Hotel, coaches will depart 19:00, 19:30 and 20:00 going to Sanremo Casino - the Morgana Bay club is just 10-15 minutes walk from there. Entertainment will include free buffet and drinks, DJ and dance act entertainment.

EPT players, their guests and accredited media are all welcome. The address is Victory Morgana Bay, Lungomare Trento e Trieste 16, 18038 Sanremo.

SCHEDULE

EPT San Remo satellites: From April 11-17, satellites are being held twice a day at Casino Sanremo for the EPT main event. At 15:00 each day, there is a €275+25 re-buy event (unlimited re-buys for first 3 levels with double add-on) and at 20:00 each day there is a €550+50 freezeout event.

EPT Grand Final satellites: From April 24-26, satellites are being held twice a day at Casino Sanremo for the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo. At 15:00 each day, there is a €275+25 re-buy event (unlimited re-buys for first 3 levels with double add-on) and at 20:00 each day there is a €550+50 freezeout event.

DATE/TIME	TOURNAMENT
April 18: 14:00	*EPT Main Event - Day 1a €5,000 + 300
April 19: 14:00	*EPT Main Event - Day 1b €5,000 + 300
April 20: 14:00	EPT Main Event - Day 2
April 20: 15:30	Abruzzo Earthquake charity tournament** €1,200 NLHE tournament (€200 donated to Poker for Life, for Red Cross)
April 21: 14:00	EPT Main Event - Day 3
April 21: 16:00	NLHE €2,000 + 200 (3-day event) (20,000 chips/60 min. levels)
April 22: 14:00	EPT Main Event - Day 4
April 22: 16:00	NLHE €1,000 + 100 (2-day event) (10,000 chips/45 min. levels)
April 23: 14:00	EPT Main Event - Final Table
April 23: 16:00	NLHE €500 + 50 (10,000 chips/30 min. levels)

* 3% of all tournaments witheld for tournament staff
** €200 of buy-in to Poker for Life, to be given to Red Cross; PokerStars contributing a further €300 per player

TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE

All EPT Season 5 events except for the EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final have the same structure. Please click EPT Structure for details. Click Monte Carlo structure for the Grand Final.

TOURNAMENT RULES

Click here for EPT tournament rules.