August 26 2013, by Eric Danis
GPI First Look: EPT Barcelona
As satellite events are set to begin later today at Casino Barcelona, the European Poker Tour is set to kickoff its 10th season as the EPT Barcelona Festival is ready to host the world:
GPI TOP 10 COMING TO BARCA
The stage is set for the top two players in the world Jason Mercier (GPI#1) and Marvin Rettenmaier, who returned to the #2 spot in the rankings just a few days ago, are set to wage war in Barcelona, each hoping to outdo all other players in the GPI Top 10.
Ole Schemion (GPI#5) is one of those in the Top 10 that is yet to be confirmed for Barcelona but is expected to play. He bubbled the Main Event last year finishing in ninth position – helping Schemion to skyrocket up the GPI rankings with his performance.
A FINNISH REPEAT?
Two Finnish players certainly caught our eye at last year’s Barcelona event:
The man known to most as Ziigmund, Ilari Sahamies (GPI#2731) enjoyed a double dose of success at the tables in Barcelona last season. Sahamies, an online poker legend who’s played the biggest nosebleed stakes ever, not only picked up a second place finish in the Main Event, Ziigmund also placed third in the 50K Super High Roller event that was won by 2012 GPI Player of the Year Dan Smith.
Ziigmund’s fellow countryman, Joni Jouhkimainen (GPI#81) was the talk of the town during the Main Event live stream last season. Jouhkimainen, ranked #2 on the GPI National Finland charts, played amazing poker throughout the event but put things in overdrive early at the final table. The young Finnish pro, coming off a prelim PLO event win at the Fennia Grand Slam in Helsinki, will attempt to once again find success here in Barcelona.
SUPER HIGH ROLLER, ESTRELLAS TOUR
The Festival will also welcome the return of the 50K Super High Roller event. Dan Smith (GPI#27) will look to defend his title as so many other big names are expected to play the event, including Mercier, Daniel Negreanu and reigning WSOP One Drop High Roller Champ Tony Gregg.
The opening Estrellas Poker Tour Main Event is also returning and is expected to draw over 1,000 players as hundreds of players have already qualified their way into the event. The Estrellas High Roller is also featured on the calendar which includes multiple tournaments daily in all sorts of disciplines!
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About the author
Eric Danis’ passion for poker came at a very early age but it’s when writing about and covering the game he loves that Danis is most in his element. Danis is better known for creating www.PTPRpoker.com where he spent a few years covering poker events. Danis is also known for having worked on the poker shows Poker Eh! and The Pulse on the Quad Jacks Network.
