EPT11 Grand Final Picking Up in Monaco

PokerStars and Monte-Carlo Casino EPT Grand Final is slowly gaining traction. Day 1a of the €1,100 France Poker Series Main Event saw 265 players putting their money where their mouth was and taking their seat for the shot at the big money and poker glory. Only about third of those made it through the day as 85 of them will be coming back for the Day 2.

Today marked the start of Day 1b and the numbers have gone through the rough. With registration closing, there have been 715 entries today, bringing the total number to 980, crushing the last year's crowd of 873 who took their seats in Monte Carlo.

Not unexpectedly, we saw many familiar faces in the crowd during these two days, many of which will not be returning for the Day 2 tomorrow. Those who did not make it will probably not be too disappointed, as FPS Main Event is just the first of many big events to take place during this EPT season's Grand Final.

Some of the casualties from the first of two flights include Aleksandr Kim, Nathalie Odel, Vanessa Brie and PokerStars Team Online Gabriel Nassif.

As it is customary, big stars always arrive late for the show, and FPS Main Event only confirmed this old adage. Not only that nearly all of the big names took their seats during today's Day 1b, but many of them took advantage of the late registration option as well. Some of the faces you would certainly recognize include those of Liv Boeree, Dermot Blain, Jack Salter and Bertrand 'ElkY' Grospellier.

Talking of 'ElkY', he seemed more excited about having great WiFi connection at the venue than about the event itself.

Playing the @PokerStarsFR#FPSMonaco day1b today. My intention is to survive till the end to enjoy decent wifi in the poker room. #Sosick

— Bertrand Grospellier (@elkypoker) April 30, 2015

Few debutants in the €100k Super High Roller

The €100k SHR event got underway earlier today as well, and all the usual suspects have confirmed their participation well ahead of time, including one and only Phil Ivey, last year's One Drop winner Dan Colman, reigning WSOP champ Martin Jacobson, another One Drop winner Antonio Esfandiari, together with an echelon of high rollers like Mike 'Timex' McDonald, Scott Seiver, Ole Schemion, Max Altergott, Igor Kurganov etc.

However, amongst all these usual suspects, there were a few names that belong to the "first timer" category. Although these players are far from being unknown, they simply haven't put up €100k to play in a single event up to this point. Names of these fives newcomers are Max Silver, George Danzer (surprsingly), Anthony Zinno, Dario Sammaritano and Mikit Badziakouski.

Despite of lacking the experience of 100k events per se, all of these players are very dangerous, especially Danzer who is, after all, WSOP Player of the Year and Anthony Zinno who has been on an absolute tear this year and will be looking to bank on his good fortune.

The action is heating up in Monte Carlo, as the promise of things to come. We are certain that the final stop of EPT Season 11 will not lack great action and epic poker moments, so make sure to stay in touch with the latest developments in Monaco.

Photo: Neil Stoddart, PokerStars blog