Planet Mark's Blog. Thoughts, News And Strategy For Poker Tournaments Of All Size

Live Poker Events for Summer 2014

Now that the WSOP is over (bar the final table) for another year, it is time to check out what other live poker events you can qualify for this summer. There are some real gems among the ‘smaller’ events in Europe + the LPS Millions in Panama for US readers.

There are subtle though important strategy considerations for satellite qualifiers. You’ll find articles covering this, along with upcoming online poker event info in the dedicated satellites section of SNG Planet right here.

Live Poker Events Summer 2014

#1 - The ETP Barcelona

This will be the 100th European Poker Tour event. It takes place from the 16th through to the 27th of August in the seaside venue of the casino Barcelona. Last year Tom Middleton from the UK took home €924,000 – and who knows, this year could be even bigger!

You can qualify for this event over at PokerStars, where there are multi-stage qualifier games to get you a package which includes accommodation, travel expenses and entry into the €5300 Main Event. If you just feel like a holiday, there are plenty of side events with smaller buy-ins running.

If you have not played at PokerStars before, there is a neat trick to ensuring you get up to 3 ‘first’ deposit welcome bonuses. Register your account first (choose ‘Affiliate marketing code’ from the drop-down, and put PSP3108 in the new box). Next hit the cashier and use bonus code STARS600, this gets you 3x 100% matched bonuses up to $600 total – you have 90 days to clear them.

Check out PokerStars now for the list of EPT qualifiers under the ‘Tournaments -> Satellites’ tabs.

#2 – The Grand Live Tallin

The Grand is a hybrid live / online tournament series which is now in season 5. Summer is the perfect time to take in Tallin, Estonia and this $1500 event is getting increasingly popular. This one takes place from the 9th through to the 14th September, at the Swissotel in Tallin.

OnGame (which recently got more popular after PokerStars was bought by its parent company Amaya) is the place to head – and Red Kings offer an excellent $3000 prize package which includes accommodation, expenses and of course the tournament buy-in.

There are $210 Finals awarding prize packages held every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, and you can also grind your way to a package if cash games are more your thing.

Red Kings have a unique bonus, you get an extra $300 bonus the first time you are dealt the two red kings together in a real money cash game ($500 if you lose at showdown). Check them out at www.redkingspoker.com.

#3 – The Battle of Malta

Another event which has been getting bigger and better, this is the 3rd running and looks to be the best yet. 888 Poker are the sponsors, and the venue is the 5-Star Hilton Hotel in Malta from the 6th through to the 11th of November.

Perfect timing for a little sunshine just as things start to get wintery for most of us.

The buy-in is just €550. What is even better is that the qualifiers for the prize packages which include accommodation and expenses, start at just 1 cent (though you can skip the lowest levels if you wish).

This is going to be huge in 2014 – you can find more information in the promotions tab over at 888.com.

#4 – The LPS Millions

This one is for US players, and is being organized by the people behind the Winning Poker Network. This is a $850 buy-in event which runs in Panama from the 13th through to the 20th September. You can win a prize package which includes travel, accommodation at the Hard Rock Megapolis an expenses.

The ‘finals’ at 6PM ET every Sunday, are only $55 and guarantee 5 packages each week.

Find out more at www.americascardroom.com.

I’ll keep my eyes open for more live events, in the meantime, for those players who enjoy playing online – the Titan Poker Summer Tournament sale is back. See my Online Poker Events page for more!

GL at the tables, Mark

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