PHOTO: Barcelona Kicks Off New EPT Season, Trophies for Ausmus and Punsri

From August 18 to 31, poker enthusiasts from around the world converge in Barcelona, where they can enjoy not only the game but also sunny beaches, vibrant nightlife, and excellent cuisine. For 20 years, this stop has been an integral part of the EPT, and the opening days of this year's edition promise an exciting spectacle.

The festival launched in grand style, with top players like Jeremy Ausmus and Punnat Punsri already claiming titles in the opening days. PS ambassador Spraggy had a trophy within reach, the budget-friendly PS Open shattered records once again, and now we'll delve into the key events and results in Barcelona.

Massive PS Open Surpasses 5,000 Entries
 

As is customary, the main EPT tournament is preceded by the PS Open with a 1,650€ buy-in, combining tournaments like Eureka, FPS, and Estrellas under one banner. In Barcelona, it recorded a staggering 5,036 entries over the initial eight days, resulting in a prize pool exceeding 7 million euros.

A total of 753 players advanced to the second day, including a significant Czech-Slovak presence. From Slovakia, players like Martin Kepes (458,000), Lukáš Benkovič (330,000), Peter Schmidt (303,000), Ján Švec (177,000), and Stanislav Koleno (115,000) continue to compete. Czech fans can cheer for Karel Mokrý (419,000), Vlastimil Pustina (303,000), Jan Krahulík (289,000), Jakub Štěrba (266,000), and Adam Wágner (207,000).

Thai Pro Takes the Win Again
 

A captivating opening event was the 10,200€ Mystery Bounty tournament, highlighting the global talent flocking to Barcelona. In a tough field, Thai professional Punnat Punsri added another title to his extensive collection, triumphing over 77 players (including 12 re-entries). His total winnings amounted to €179,723, with an impressive €95,000 coming from bounties. David Coleman from the USA secured second place with total winnings of €170,577, including €87,500 in bounties. Punnat Punsri solidified his place atop the Thai all-time money list, with live victories exceeding $25.4 million.

Spraggy Nears the Trophy
 

Among the most-watched poker personalities in Barcelona is the popular streamer and PS ambassador Benjamin "Spraggy" Spragg. In the €1,100 No-Limit Hold'em, he had an impressive deep run, finishing 2nd after two days of play. Spraggy was only bested in the final by Dutch player Heskey Selva, who won the tournament, taking home €54,100. Through a heads-up deal, Spraggy claimed €42,560, proving his prowess at live tables, not just online ones.

Battle of Titans in the €20k Event
 

No EPT event is complete without high rollers, and the €20k NLH event drew 63 players (plus 18 re-entries), generating a prize pool of €1,210,104. The final table was set with eight seasoned players, including Niklas Astedt, Jeremy Ausmus, Klemens Roiter, and Jean-Noël Thorel.

The climactic duel was between two Americans—Jeremy Ausmus and David Coleman. While both finalists struck a deal, the subsequent play went Ausmus's way, earning him €318,606. David Coleman, having notched another second-place finish in two days, received €292,398 as a consolation.

What's Yet to Come
 

The EPT Barcelona festival runs until August 31, promising plenty more poker action. Highlights include the €5,300 Main Event (August 24-31) with an expected massive prize pool, plus exclusive events like the €100,000 Super High Roller (August 23-25) and the €10,300 EPT High Roller (August 29-31). Live broadcasts will cover the Main Event from August 27 to 31.

Additional special events are on the schedule, such as lower buy-in Mystery Bounty events, a Seniors event, and the affordable PS Cup. EPT Barcelona 2025 pledges a grand season finale, leaving everyone eager to see who will ultimately claim the prestigious trophies.

Sources: PSLive, X, Flickr, The HendonMob, PokerNews