The European Poker Tour (EPT) celebrated a milestone in 2024, marking its 20th anniversary. Over the last two decades, the EPT has transformed from a small, ambitious poker circuit into one of the most prestigious and widely recognised poker tours in the world. This year’s festival in Barcelona served as a fitting tribute to the tour’s history.
A Landmark Year for EPT Barcelona
The 2024 edition of EPT Barcelona was nothing short of spectacular. With 1,975 entries in the €5,300 Main Event, this year’s tournament secured its place as the fourth-largest EPT Main Event in history, amassing a total prize pool of €9,578,750. The final table was a true showcase of international talent, with players from all over the globe vying for the title. Stephen Song, a 29-year-old poker pro from the United States, eventually triumphed after a hard-fought heads-up battle against Britain’s Andrew Hulme.
Song’s journey to victory is a tale of resilience and good fortune. Known for his calm under pressure, Song endured several moments when he was on the brink of elimination, yet he continually found ways to survive — earning him the nickname “river man” for his clutch river cards. He walked away with €1,290,386 and the title of EPT Barcelona champion, while Hulme, no stranger to the big stage, secured €1,165,614 for his runner-up finish.
A Diverse Field of Poker Talent
The final table in Barcelona was one of the most diverse in recent memory, with players from the UK, Romania, the United States, and Croatia. Romania’s Marius-Catalin Pertea, a familiar face from the Monte Carlo stop earlier in the year, finished in third place with €674,150, while Rania Nasreddine, a lawyer from Oklahoma, made history with her back-to-back EPT final table appearances, finishing fourth this time for €518,600. Nasreddine’s achievement of consecutive final tables — in Monte Carlo and now Barcelona — has cemented her place among the elite players on the tour.
Croatia’s Boris Kuzmanovic and American David Coleman also made deep runs, with both taking home substantial paydays. Kuzmanovic finished sixth, securing €306,900, and while his quest to become Croatia’s first EPT champion fell short, his performance further established his reputation as one of the country’s top poker players. For Coleman, who finished fifth with €398,950, this year’s EPT Barcelona proved to be one of the highlights of his career.
20 Years of Growth and Global Impact
The EPT has come a long way since its launch in 2004, when it started as a small circuit of events primarily focused on Europe. Now, the tour attracts players from all corners of the world, with major stops not just in Barcelona, but in cities like Monte Carlo, Prague, and Cyprus. The diversity in this year’s field is a testament to the tour’s growth, with players from over 80 countries participating in the 2024 edition of EPT Barcelona.
Over the years, the EPT has produced countless memorable moments and some of the best poker hands, with legends such as Patrik Antonius, Steve O’Dwyer, and Victoria Coren Mitchell all making their mark on the tour. These moments have helped shape the global poker landscape, as the EPT became a proving ground for both up-and-coming talent and seasoned pros.
Looking Ahead to the Next Decade
With upcoming stops in Cyprus and beyond, the future of the EPT looks brighter than ever. Whether you’re a veteran of the game or a new player hoping to make a name for yourself, the EPT remains a pinnacle in the world of live tournament poker — a place where dreams are made, fortunes are won, and legends are born.
