EPT Season 6 - Russian Open Preview

by Bodog Poker | Aug 7 2009

The European Poker Tour was scheduled to begin Season 6 in Moscow this month, but complications caused a cancellation of the event. The EPT didn't let that development stop them from getting their season underway on time, and they quickly switched the event from Moscow to Kiev, Ukraine. They will host a 5,000 buy-in tournament on August 18, which will now be the beginning of EPT Season 6. The closure of casinos occurring in Russia right now is causing doubt among promoters because the game of poker in Russia has recently become illegal.

EPT Kiev will be the first stop of Season 6 of the roving tournament series. It will run from August 18-23 and will be held at the Sports Palace Kiev. The prize pool will top out when 600 players are entered. It's unlikely that there will be that many people looking to enter the event, but crowds have grown for EPT events over the last couple of years.

Another issue that may have played a big role in the event being shifted away from Moscow was that players required passports to enter the country. Going into the Ukraine for fewer than 90 days does not require documents for Americans, Canadians, or Europeans, so the switch was a natural one.  

All EPT Season 6 events have the same tournament structure. Players will begin with a stack of 30,000 chips and blinds will start at 50-100. On Day 1, the blind intervals will change to every 60 minutes. On Day 2 and beyond, blinds go up every 75 minutes. Antes come into play at Level 5, when blinds are 150-300. They will also host a welcome party for any players who qualified for the prestigious event.

Moscow qualifiers will get their chance to either use the seat in the EPT Kiev or another EPT event upcoming. They can also elect to collect cash. Players who decide on going to the Ukraine will be able to exchange it for buy-in and hotel for the Kiev event. The timing of the cancellation couldn't come at worst time for poker in Russia after so many Russian players have done so well at the WSOP the last three years running. The event was sure to attract a lot of players but now the future of poker in Russia is unknown, at least for the near future.

The Sports Palace Kiev will make a fine replacement facility for the first EPT event of the year. Hopefully the big-name American poker stars that planned to go to Moscow will change their plans and head to Kiev instead. This change is likely to affect attendance in a positive way now that travel arrangements have become less of a hassle for the players.

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