Season 5 of the European Poker Tour kicks off in September 2008 in Barcelona with nine events scheduled, including the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo and a welcome return to Deauville, France, in January.

“The new EPT season includes all the events which have made the past four seasons such a triumph with record fields across Europe and record prize pools,” said EPT Chief Executive John Duthie. “We have set very high standards and aim to improve on this still further in Season 5.”

“This year’s EPT kicks off in the magnificent city of Barcelona at the beginning of September. The tour will take in nine countries including the return of the ever popular Deauville event in France and we are expecting to add new venues to the tour. Last year’s EPT proved a massive success, generating a total prize pool of almost Euros 40,000,000 ($62,000,000), 5,902 players and the biggest single prize pool ever generated outside Las Vegas at the Monte Carlo Grand Final. We anticipate the EPT making an even bigger impact in Season 5, attracting more players from all around the world and even larger prize pools.”