The LAPT is in the can, its first year a success story of rapidly growing proportions and plans are already in full swing for a second season. In the meantime though all eyes now turn back to Europe.

Any fan of European poker should now sense that heady mixture of excitement and awe. Like winter for a baseball fan or summer for a soccer fan, that period between seasons can be a long and dark one, regardless of the distractions.

Sure, it’s slightly different with poker nuts who can gorge themselves on a diet of World Series poker in the summer months, but the EPT is something entirely different. Beautiful destinations, the best players in the world and the little statistic of being the richest poker tour on the continent.

All eyes turn to stunning Barcelona

That brings us to Season 5.

As we’ve written already on this blog season five all begins in just a few short weeks from now on the sandy shores of Spain in Barcelona, the Catalan capital. It’s a city of art, culture and a night life to blow your socks off. It also stages one of the most popular stops on the tour, the event everyone wants to play.

Last year it was Sander Lylloff who got the season underway with a boom. Sander triumphed in a final featuring Greg Dyer, Trond Erik Eidsvig and Patrick Bruel among others, with a first prize of €1,170,700 to the Dane.

An understandably happy Sander Lylloff

You can catch up with all that took place twelve months ago at Casino Barcelona by visiting PokerStars.tv which, after a quick click on the EPT link, will give you endless scope for a short (or long) recap, including a video interview with the winner who, in typically understated fashion, had no idea how to spend the money.

This year is likely to be even bigger in terms of prizepool and in field. Already set to jet in are Team PokerStars Pros Isabelle Mercier, Noah boeken, former EPT London winner Vicky Coren, Dario Minieri (complete with World Series bracelet), PCA champion ElkY, Luca Pagano and former world champ Greg Raymer.

Let the count down begin.