Back in Season 1, Deauville was the scene for one of the most captivating stories ever to unfold before the EPT cameras. Americans Carl Olsen and Brandon Schaefer went to school together, university together and even played poker together. They still lived a few blocks apart when Olson won an EPT Deauville seat on PokerStars. Keen to join his friend in France, Schaefer used his FPP to enter the very last PokerStars satellite, and won it.

And there they found themselves, facing each other at the EPT Deauville final table. What followed was an exhibition of brilliant poker. Within minutes, Olsen had made an incredible call with just King-high on an Ace-high board. Acknowledging that he'd been read like a book, this seemed to spur Schaefer on and he began to push harder.

Schaefer began by raising pre-flop and Olson called. The flop came down J2T with one club. Olson checked, Schaefer fired out a bet and Olson called. The turn was an eight of clubs. Olson then made a huge bet, but refusing to lie down, Schaefer stayed with him and called the bet. When the king of clubs fell on the river, Olson checked and Schaefer, sensing weakness, moved all his chips to the middle. Olson seemed to be torturing himself. With the board threatening both a straight and flush, Olson mucked his two pair, handing Schaefer an insurmountable chip-lead and the EPT title.

QUALIFY ONLINE

This is your chance to compete with the world’s greatest players in one of Europe’s most spectacular cities. Play EPT satellites on PokerStars and take your seat for as little as $2.22 or 111 FPP. When you’re there, you can expect the full PokerStars experience – your package includes your buy-in, luxury accommodation and $1,000 to spend.

Finding our EPT satellites is easy. First, download the free PokerStars software. Then, click “Events” and “EPT” in the game lobby and register for the satellite of your choice. See our How To Qualify page for more information.

BUY IN DIRECTLY

If you're a PlatinumStar VIP or higher, you can buy in to EPT events using your PokerStars W$. Requests should be submitted to ept@pokerstars.com before the final online qualifying tournament on PokerStars (typically two Saturdays before the event).

You can also buy in at the Casino on the day of registration. For more details see the Tournament Info page. Players buying in using W$ will be PokerStars sponsored players for the duration of the EPT event, and are required to wear a PokerStars logo throughout the tournament.