Win European Poker Tour Seats Online – The Very Best EPT Satellite Qualifiers Covered Here.
Quick Update: The EPT has been rebranded by owners PokerStars - it is now called the PokerStars Championship. As things stand the venues and schedule look very much the same, though I hope to see 'Stars adding new stops and ideas to the tour soon. Keep an eye on the 'Live Poker' tab from the www.pokerstars.com homepage for the latest news.
Here is the original article:
Since PokerStars took over the European Poker Tour (EPT) brand, this tour has grown into one of the biggest anywhere. The events have massive prizes (winners often become instant millionaires) and are broadcast on TV. Venues include London, Barcelona, Paris, Berlin, The Caribbean (for the PCA) and many more – the tour wraps up in a grand final in Monaco each year which attract stars from all over the world.
Some good news, winning a ‘package’ of entry fee + travel expenses to an EPT event is a lot easier than you might think. Several poker sites compete for your custom in these satellite qualifiers – and the games themselves attract a lot of amateur and recreational players, which means they are not too tough to beat!
This article looks at your options for online EPT qualifiers, starting with the biggest and best place for these, the brand owners Pokerstars.com. US players still have options – scroll down this page to my part on the US-friendly Carbon Poker for more.
So, imagine you just started that final table for life-changing money and look down to see pocket aces… and read on!
Best Online EPT Satellite Qualifiers #1 – Pokerstars.com
Pokerstars own several tours, both global and regional. Since they have an interest in ensuring that the fields are big, players can take advantage of the widest selection of qualifiers anywhere online.
You will be competing for prize packages worth $13,000. This will cover your entry fee (usually $10k) + travel, hotel and spending money for expenses. These packages are given out in regular Sunday ‘Passport’ tournaments. Throughout the week there are sub-qualifiers, with buy-ins ranging from $3 to $109, which are designed to get as many players into the Passport game as possible. You can also buy-in direct on Sunday for $700. The number of live event tickets will depend on the number of people in the passport tournament field, this works out just under 1 in 20 players heading for the big events!
A nice alternative European Poker Tour satellite system offered by Pokerstars are their Steps Sit N Goes. These start at $7.50c and you can win tickets to the next step up by finishing 1st or 2nd (with try again spots for 3rd and 4th). If you hit Step 6 then you will be playing for a $13k package + some runner up prizes. What I like about these 1-table tournaments is that you can jump in and out whenever you have a spare hour – at the lower levels at least.
Pokerstars are so huge that the satellites are always busy. The choice of games is bigger and better than anywhere else online.
If you have not yet played at Pokerstars you can claim up to 3 welcome bonuses matched to your first deposit (total max of $600). You can claim the bonus while you qualify for your seat in the EPT!! From the list of ‘Where did you hear about us?’ when you register, choose ‘Affiliate Marketing Code’ a new box then appears – pop Pokerstars Marketing Code PSPxxx8 in here. Click To Check Out The Biggest And Best Choice Of EPT Qualifiers Anywhere Online – At Pokerstars.com!
Best Online EPT Satellite Qualifiers #2 – Removed!
Another Update: Carbon Poker are no longer open to US players, and are shrinking fast everywhere else. This is a shame, as they were once the best offshore US site. Your best bet for poker satellites (including the World Series and events out in the Caribbean) is America's Cardroom on the Winning Poker Network. This site also hosts the only $1 million US friendly online tournament events. See www.americascardroom.com for the latest qualifiers.
US Players can also qualify for the European Poker Tour (or any of the many tournament events closer to home!). I strongly recommend you check out my article covering the the biggest and best US friendly poker sites
Carbon run a single weekly ‘supersatellite’ which awards prize packages worth $15,000. You can use this for a wide range of events such as the WPT, World Series or the Aussie Millions. Carbon will pay you the prizes in cash, leaving what you do with the money up to you!
The ‘Live Event Qualifiers’ can be either entered directly (for $640) or you can work your way through a series of sub-qualifiers which start at $2, then $11 then $70… winning your seat in the Sunday game. Again, these games are popular with amateurs and recreational players – they are certainly very beatable.
If you have not yet discovered the cool software, unique promotions and great selection of lower and mid-stakes poker games – then I recommend you head on over. Readers can claim an improved 2000% bonus (max $5k) + $10 in tokens + free downloadable HUD / Calculator with Carbon Poker Coupon Code FREESNGPK – I’ll see you in the Live Event Qualifier – Click To Check Out Carbon Poker Now!