EPT Poker Grand Finals Begin in Monte Carlo

The EPT Grand Final is about to begin in Monte Carlo. Poker pros from all over the world gather in the tiny Mediterranean kingdom to battle it out - while enjoying life big time.

Poker has been called “a hard way to make an easy living”, and anyone who’s tried it knows that there’s some truth to this. At times, though, life in the fast lane of professional poker is just really easy.
Life is easy as hell

David Williams arrived in the Nice airport and took a helicopter to Monaco and his room at five star hotel “Le Meridien” - despite being afraid of heights.

Evelyn Ng lost a chocolate croissant to a huge seagull that flew in through the window and snatched it from her room at the Monte Carlo Bay - also five stars.

Now the Mediterranean sun has come out behind light morning clouds. Some players hit the pool while others sit down to play tournament poker. Day 1A of the EPT Grand Final is about to start.
Role model for Las Vegas

For centuries, this classic place has been providing ultra-easy life for people in the very fastest lanes of life. Luxurious hotels, fine dining, wonderful beaches and of course, ultra high stakes gambling of all kinds - Monaco truly is the elegant older brother of Las Vegas.

Usually there’s not much poker to be found in the Monegasque casinos, but when the professional poker circuit hits town, this detail is taken care of.

The buy-in to the EPT Grand Final is €10,000 (around $14,000). Besides that, the side action will go wild, and the town will get to see some ultra high stakes cash games in luxury suites of various five star hotels.
Ultra high stakes action

Expect to see sit-and-gos with buy-ins at $10,000 and China poker at $1,000 per point. That’s standard. Also, rumor has it a guy called Cheescake is setting up a game of high stakes HORSE. We’ll tell you more when we catch any news.

It’s in the small and de facto-French town of Monte Carlo that Season 5 of the European Poker Tour will end in a big bang grand final in the days to come. It’s about to start right now. The roof just opened to allow sunlight and fresh air into the fancy parlor. What a show!

The last days of competition will be sent live over the internet on Poker Stars TV. That’s poker television at its very best.

Poker News Cup Alpine Begins

Satellite play began yesterday and action kicked off today in the first event of the PokerNews Cup Alpine in Salbaach-Hinterglemm, Austria, near Salzburg, a destination famous for its world-class skiing but playing host to a different sort of world-class competition for the next week. Hundreds of players are expected to be on hand for several of the events, with a complete overview of the PNC Alpine offering.The schedule of events is highlighted by a “high rollers” pot-limit Omaha tourney on Tuesday, March 24th, which features a €4,700+300 buy-in. The PNC Alpine Cup Main Event (€1375+125) begins on Wednesday, March 25th and runs for three days. A number of high-profile players have already confirmed their attendance, including Marcel Luske, Sandra Naujoks, Noah Boeken, John Duthie, David Saab, Tristan Clemenceau, Markus Golser, Erich Kollman, and of course, PokerNews’ own Team Captain, Tony G.

Live coverage of PNC Alpine events at PokerNews.com begins tomorrow and will run through the duration of the event schedule. For more information on the structures of the various events.

The complete 2009 PokerNews Cup Alpine schedule of events:

Day/Date Starting Time Event # Title (Buy-in)

Sat 3/21 6:00pm #1 NLHE Welcome Event (€100+10)
Sun 3/22 2:00pm #2 NLHE w/ rebuys (€50+5/€50 rebuys)
Mon 3/23 2:00pm #3 NLHE w/ bounties (€100+10)
Mon 3/23 7:00pm #3b NLHE Sat. to Event #5 w/ rebuys (€100+10/€100 rebuys)
Tues 3/24 2:00pm #4 PLO (€270+30)
Tues 3/24 4:00pm #5 High Rollers PLO (€4,700+300)
Wed 3/25 2:00pm #6 NLHE Main Event Day 1 (€1375+125)
Thurs 3/26 2:00pm #6 NLHE Main Event Day 2
Fri 3/27 2:00pm #7 NLHE (€100+10)
Fri 3/27 2:00pm #6 NLHE Main Event Final Table

Poker Tournament Schedule and Calendar with 100% Deposit Bonus