EPT Monte Carlo 2024 – everything you need to know

Poker players looking for cheap thrills, scroll on.

There's famously little in Monte Carlo that could be described as cheap, but in many ways, that's the point. The crown jewel of Monaco is where supercars line the streets, super-yachts fill the marinas, and superstars are made at the poker tables.

All of which is to say, Monte Carlo is the natural home of the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Grand Final, and it's a home the EPT has returned to almost every year since 2005.

And next week it returns once more, for the latest iteration of one of the tour's flagship destinations. The PokerStars-hosted series offers players a number of both EPT and FPS (France Poker Series) events in which to compete, while also welcoming them to one of Europe's premier travel destinations. 

If you've got cash burning a hole in your pocket - rather than just having holes in your pockets - there will be plenty to keep you occupied, both on and off the felt. Below, you'll find PokerOrg's comprehensive guide to all things EPT Monte Carlo. 

Key events:

From April 24 to May 4, the Sporting Monte Carlo plays host to the 11-day, action-packed schedule of events. The complete schedule offers over 50 events (satellites and qualifiers included), including multiple Mystery Bounty events, a variety of formats like Pot-Limit Omaha, H.O.R.S.E, and 8-Game, and, of course, the prestigious EPT Main Event. 

Newly-minted PokerStars ambassador Barny Boatman - the latest, and oldest-ever, EPT Main Event champion - will look to defend his title in Monte Carlo as he is now able to afford the expensive locale thanks to his new contract and €1.2m EPT win.  

Barny Boatman took first place in the EPT Paris Main Event

Where to stay:

The hotels in Monte Carlo rank amongst some of the finest in the entire world, with stunning views of the city and its iconic coastline. Wherever you decide to stay, the sights and sounds of Monte Carlo will surely dazzle your senses - check out a few of our recommendations. 

Hotel de Paris sits right on the central square, inside one of Monte Carlo's most iconic buildings. If time spent in the casinos will occupy most of your trip, Hotel de Paris is the place for you. Inside, you'll find Alain Ducasse's three Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Louis XV - one of the top-ranked restaurants in the world. 

Hotel Hermitage similarly resides in the heart of the principality - smack dab in the middle of the Monagasque gambling scene on the Place du Casino - and offers guests beautiful Belle Epoque-inspired decor. The Hermitage shares the vast Thermes Marins Spa with its next-door neighbor the Hotel de Paris for those that wish to find top-notch relaxation away from the tables or between events. 

Monte-Carlo Bay offers guests unparalleled views of the Mediterranean, including from within many of the best rooms in the hotel. The elegant cocktail bar is the place to go for enchanting ocean views before a meal at two Michelin-starred restaurant Blue Bay. 

Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo presents itself as understated luxury - a rarity amongst the standard flash of the principality. The family-owned hotel curates 'Just For You' experiences for its guests, which could include anything from a private viewing of the Prince's Palace to a guided tour of Cap Moderne. And if you're hungry it houses the Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant Yoshi.

With Monte Carlo's deserved reputation as a playground for the rich, finding cheaper, more affordable (and less grandiose accommodation) close to the EPT venue is going to be tricky. However, for those traveling on a tighter budget it is worth investigating options slightly further afield.

The French city of Nice is just 20 miles or so down the coast, and is likely to provide more overnight options for the cost-conscious. Just make sure you're all clear with visas and have up-to-date travel info, as France is technically separate to the Principality of Monaco.

The can't-miss EPT Monte Carlo moments

There are countless attractions and events to get excited about in the build up to EPT Monte Carlo. Here are a few of the can't-miss events taking place throughout the festival. 

The EPT Monte Carlo Main Event is the centerpiece of the series and one of the most prestigious titles in the poker world. Through the 16 previous iterations of the event, total prize pools have topped €89 million, awarding the champions nearly €19 million between them. The 2023 Main Event saw Canadian Mike Watson rise above the field to claim the top prize of €749,425 and his second EPT Main Event title. 

Canada's Mike Watson, reigning champion of EPT Monte-Carlo

The award-winning PokerStars Live Stream will be on site in Monte Carlo to work their usual magic, providing audiences across the globe with access to poker's finest produced content. The PokerStars team will focus predominantly on the EPT Main Event, covering the action from Day 2 all the way through to the crowning of the latest EPT champion. James Hartigan and Joe Stapleton will, as always, bring their vocal talents to the commentary booth, accompanied by Griffin Benger and Nick Walsh. Check out the full streaming schedule below. 

Monte Carlo's cultural impact stretches beyond even the prestigious European Poker Tour, such as providing a home to the most iconic Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix. The race has been held in its winding streets since 1929, and as a result those streets are bustling with a variety of supercars all year round. PokerStars and the EPT offer guests the chance to ride in luxury with free high-performance supercar rides. 

PokerStars will also offer players a free chance at winning massive ticket bundles via a series of All In Shootouts. The daily (April 24-May 1) Crazy Pineapple shootouts will see players take their seats at nine-handed tables to play one single, all-in hand of Crazy Pineapple poker.

Each player will be dealt three hole cards, face-down, and then shown a flop. After the flop, players discard one of their three hole cards before the turn and river run out as usual. The player with the best hand wins the table and moves on to the Final Table where the process plays out again to determine the overall winner.

The EPT Monte Carlo Grand FInal is one of the most prestigious tournaments in Europe, and is sure to attract many of the world's best players. It's a place where the thrills may not be cheap, but they are plentiful. If you're going, enjoy!