Change of plan for EPT opener

Alas, the sixth season of the European Poker tour will not start in Moscow after all. As the EPT bandwagon began preparations for summer in Russia the government policy on casinos changed effectively ruling out the season opener.

But while some were rueing politics others, notably in the PokerStars office, were busy arranging an equally intriguing location yet to experience the full force of EPT poker and that work means PokerStars can now announce a new tournament, to be held during the same week in August, to be played across the Russian border in Kiev, Ukraine.

With the same €5,000 buy-in the new event at the Kiev Sports Palace and known as the EPT Kiev Sports Poker Championship, will now get the season rolling, held under the regulation and authority of the Ukrainian Ministry of Youth, Family and Sport and in partnership with the Ukrainian Poker Federation. One thing's for sure it is likely to be the largest poker tournament ever held in the Ukraine.

Regardless of the change you can expect the same great coverage on the PokerStars blog with daily updates on all the action. It all begins on 18 August through to the final on 23 August. Stay tuned for the details.