EPT buy-ins

[snoopy1239]

After speaking to various folk around the circuit, it has come to my attention that the increased buy-in has truly put off a host of British players.

At 5k a pop, even some of the bigger UK names are having second thoughts, and that includes sponsored players, the sponsor being forced to reconsider what is now a massive investment to buy their player(s) into a year of EPT events.

A lot of what I hear is the same: "Why would we want to play the EPT at the moment. Events like the GUKPT are easily accessible and creating six figures for first prize themselves. Besides, the standard is high in EPTs, so where's the value?"

With this in mind, have the EPT made a boo boo in increasing their buy-in and subsequently putting off a large British contingent? Are they really happy with it being the Scandinavian Poker Tour? Does anyone think that a time will come when these large buy-ins get too much and will return to their original price?

Personally, I hope they do decrease at some stage, or at least some cheaper ones offered. With new venues being added all the time, it's just too expensive, even for some of the bigger players. Similalry, qualification is now harder as the package is now worth more. I'd hate to see an elitism in poker where the EPT attracts the same affluent players each time with very few small times players getting 'a shot'.

[KingPoker]

I think it surely will have to be lowered for the next season.

and not just for the sponsored players, i would love to play in an EPT but the only way i could ever do it would be to Sat in and i havent checked but now surely the buy ins for them have gone up a fairly significant amount or if not then surely the number of added seats has which makes it much less value for someone like me to be able to try and qualify for more than one EPT event.

[doubleup]

I suppose they consider that the WPT runs at $10k a pop so they should be the same level.  They are getting sizeable fields so you can't really criticise them.

Unfortunately for the likes of me it's way too much.  I went thru £14k in entries and exs in my first few month's of going full time and that was just a couple of €3k events, a few 1ks and few supporting events.  So starting grinding on cash had to be the way to go.  I do play the odd satellite, but can't see me ever stumping up the full entry.

[ripple11]

After speaking to various folk around the circuit, it has come to my attention that the increased buy-in has truly put off a host of British players.

At 5k a pop, even some of the bigger UK names are having second thoughts, and that includes sponsored players, the sponsor being forced to reconsider what is now a massive investment to buy their player(s) into a year of EPT events.

A lot of what I hear is the same: "Why would we want to play the EPT at the moment. Events like the GUKPT are easily accessible and creating six figures for first prize themselves. Besides, the standard is high in EPTs, so where's the value?"

With this in mind, have the EPT made a boo boo in increasing their buy-in and subsequently putting off a large British contingent? Are they really happy with it being the Scandinavian Poker Tour? Does anyone think that a time will come when these large buy-ins get too much and will return to their original price?

Personally, I hope they do decrease at some stage, or at least some cheaper ones offered. With new venues being added all the time, it's just too expensive, even for some of the bigger players. Similalry, qualification is now harder as the package is now worth more. I'd hate to see an elitism in poker where the EPT attracts the same affluent players each time with very few small times players getting 'a shot'.

good point snoops....I emailed John Duthie the similar point....still waiting a reply!!

[kinboshi]

I guess a greater percentage of seats will be made up from qualifiers from now on.

[thediceman]

Weren't the lower buyin events sold out???. If that was the case and they get full houses at the higher buyin I suspect they won't give a stuff if Brit's attend or not.

Maybe there looking to attract more of the big name americans and I'm sure online qualifiers can always make up the numbers.

[neeko]

below link {if alowed - otherwise EPT homepage - EPT results tab} shows the results for all previous seasons.

http://www.europeanpokertour.com/at_a_glance.html

EPT barca (2004) €1000 entry !!!! (229 players) (if only it was now)

This is so sad to calculate this - (but my tourney is very boring)

EPT season 1 24% qualifiers (~€2k buyin)
EPT season 2 18% qualifiers (~€4k buyin)
EPT season 3 22% qualifiers (~€5k buyin)
EPT season 4 14% qualifiers (~€8k buyin) [so far]


This year [€8000]

Barca 543/600
London 392/500
Baden 282/400

[snoopy1239]

This is something they wouldn't gain much from doing, but I wonder what people would make of an EPT, say in Poland or something, where all players had to qualify via a satellite to play, much like the current Grosvenor Grand Prix.

From what I understand, the EPT has only 2 starting days. If they just add another day, like the recent London GUKPT, they could squeeze in the extra demand whilst still making the Tour accessible to British and amateur players with a €5k buy-in. However, I guess they're still a business in the end, and this wouldn't be cost effective, so can understand why they opted to rise the buy-in instead.

[tikay]

It's now way beyond the reach of most of us, and it's really a vehicle for 'Stars Qualifiers & Sponsored Pros, but as long as it pretty much sells out at most venues, John Duthie ain't likely to lower the Buy-In. Sad, but true, it's just business.

[Fatboydim]

I agree Snoops. I asked John Duthie at the press conference in Barca why the increase and his answer confirmed my suspicions that he is trying to turn the EPT into an elitist series. His reply was that the Pros don't want five day tournaments and so in an effort to keep them as four day events the buy in was increased. Less pressure on the calendar. I don't get the impression that this weeks event will get more runners than last year. Especially since there are so many value tournaments around.

I will be playing it but only because of sponsorship.

[dealerFROMhell]

You cant blame John Duthie for wanting to keep the buy-in so high. At the end of the day the EPT is a high-profile tournament that showcases the best players Europe has to offer.

He isn't obliged to cater to middle level players. The "host of British players" that you refer to are more than likely better suited to the GUKPT or some of the £500+ festival events around the country.

Europe needs a high buy-in poker competition to rival the states, and the player numbers adequately justify this.

[Ironside]

personally i think there should be several levels for poker players

there is the local weekly comps
there is the APAt for those of us on a budget wanting to play a 2 day comp
then there is the festivals most casinos have once a year and monthly freezeouts
then the gukpt and the gbpt
then the ept
then the wpt and wsop

i think that there should be a difference between all the levels otherwise whats the points of differnet tours

you play at your own level

me personally i am somewhere between the local weekly games and the festival

comps arent designed to be open an accessable to all or they would all be freerolls as i know some people that are struggling to get £25 together to play a small comp

[dealerFROMhell]

Well, the APAT is below most casinos highest buy-in weekly comp...

[Ironside]

Well, the APAT is below most casinos highest buy-in weekly comp...

wrong casinos are foing what the punters want now

£10 £25 £50 freezeouts are popular some casinos even supllying dealers for these small comps

not everyone plays in the vic where they need to get people paying higher fees ect to pay for the cost of having such a prime location

[thediceman]

then the ept
then the wpt and wsop

Personally7 I don't see why there should be any gap between the ept and the wpt/wsop events. The clear divide hear is geographical. Why shouldn't europe try and put on events to rival the wpt/wsop.

The only defining factor in the ept events, as in any event, is demand and if the demand still exists at the higher level then so be it.