Having just finished its sixth year, the 2009-2010 European Poker Tour proved once again to be the richest poker event on the planet. If you're a tour wannabe, you can qualify for the 2010-2011 tour by playing in a satellite tournament at various sites. The top poker players in the world are on the tour; tour tournaments number a baker's dozen. If any tour participants are superstitious,  they may want to reconsider playing in all 13.

 

The 2009-2010 European Poker Tour Schedule

Although the event does overall hold true to its name, European Poker Tour, it does offer one event outside the confines of that continent. In January, the tour stops in the Bahamas for some fun, sun and poker.

 

Some of the other countries visited on the European Poker Tour include Spain, the Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, France, Poland, and Austria. Many of those players who participate in the tour qualify via a satellite tournament.

 

How to Qualify

Titan Poker, Full Tilt Poker and Poker Stars are three of the primary sites where players can enter a qualifying satellite event. You don't need much of a stake to play for a seat in the biggest poker tour on the planet. Buy-ins start at just a few dollars and some qualifiers will accept your frequent player points. In recent years between 1,500 and 4,000 players per year have gone to the European Poker Tour after qualifying in a satellite tournament.

 

 

Tour Dates

The most recent season ended in mid-April, but don't despair the next season of the European Poker Tour will start in August. Here's the 2010-2011 calendar.

 

 

Tournament	Country	Main Event Dates	Buy-In	CAP
EPT TALLINN	ESTONIA	Aug 11 - 16 2010	€4,000 + 250***	600
EPT VILAMOURA	PORTUGAL	Aug 28-Sep 2 2010	€5,000 + 300*	700
EPT LONDON	UK	Sep 29-Oct 4 2010	£5,000 + 250*	1000
TBC	TBC	Oct 26 - 31 2010	€5,000 + 300	TBC
EPT BARCELONA	SPAIN	Nov 22 - 27 2010	€5,000 + 300	1000
EPT PRAGUE	CZECH REPUBLIC	Dec 13 - 18 2010	€5,000 + 300*	700
PCA	BAHAMAS	Jan 8 - 14 2011	$10,000 + 300*	1600
EPT DEAUVILLE	FRANCE	Jan 26 - 31 2011	€5,000 + 300**	TBC
EPT COPENHAGEN	DENMARK	Feb 17 - 22 2011	35,000 + 2,250 DKK**	600
EPT SNOWFEST	AUSTRIA	Mar 20 -25 2011	€3,500 + 250*	500
EPT BERLIN	GERMANY	Apr 5  - 10 2011	€5,000 + 300	1000
EPT SAN REMO	ITALY	TBC	€5,000 + 300*	TBC
TBC	TBC	TBC	€10,000 + 600	TBC

 

(Notes: In various tournaments, those designated with an *, 3% of tournament prize-pool will be used to pay for fees associated with dealers and staff.
 In others, which have a **, 4% of prize-pool from the tournament is held to pay government taxes, and in other tournaments, those designated by a ***, the rate of government taxation is 5% of the prize-pool. The European Poker Tour notes that it reserves the right to change details of tournaments and to cancel events at its discretion.)

 

Start Playing

Check out your favorite poker site to see if they offer satellite tournaments that will qualify you for the European Poker Tour. It's certainly worth a shot. Time to ante up for the biggest and richest poker event in the world.