Flip Out freeroll adds to EPT qualifier perks
Anyone who qualifies for the EPT online gets free entry to an exclusive Flip Out event, where there's a €1K tournament ticket up for grabs
The perks available to players who qualify online to come to the European Poker Tour (EPT) really know no bounds. Everyone is likely aware already of the merch, the activities and, of course, the relatively minuscule tournament buy-in. But did you know that every online qualifier also gets free entry to an exclusive Crazy Pineapple Flip Out tournament, with a top prize worth more than €1K?
At least 40 players had got that message this morning at EPT Prague, with qualifiers gathering in the tournament room to test their lu-, sorry, skill. Even Santa Claus stood by as someone was sure to get a significant boost to their Christmas bankroll.
For the uninitiated, a Flip Out tournament format is basically a shootout event where every player is immediately all-in on the first hand they are dealt. The winner of the first table then goes through to the next table, etc., until there’s a final table and the winner of that is the tournament champion.
All the fun of the Flip Out
The game is Crazy Pineapple, which is a lot like regular hold’em, but has notable differences. Firstly, every player gets three hole cards. The dealer then deals a flop. Players then discard one of their cards, leaving themselves with a more familiar looking hold’em hand. Turn and river then come out and the best hand wins.
MAY THE BEST PLAYER WIN
Remember, there’s no room for bluffing or folding. Everyone is all-in right from the start. Outdraws, of course, are very common. In one hand in Prague today, 9♥ 10♥ beat pocket queens and pocket aces, with the queens even flopping a set. But that’s Flip Out poker for you.
Although tournament officials and players regularly joke about the event — “Congratulations, you played well.” “Welcome to the final table. You must be very tired.”, etc. — these regular events are certainly worth attending.
Not only is it a great chance for qualifiers to meet one another, chat about their experiences and pick up their swag bags, but the prize is something everyone wants. It’s a €1,100 buy-in to a Main Event on any of PokerStars regional tours.
In short, you win two Flip Out hands and you get yourself a seat on the Estrellas Poker Tour, the Eureka Poker Tour, the UKIPT or the France Poker Series, among others. It’s pretty sweet.
DOBOSZ CLAIMS PRAGUE SPOILS
The winner of the tournament in Prague was Poland’s Kamil Dobosz, whose K♥ 6♦ made top pair and beat all the other rags around the final table. Willie Elliot, PokerStars’ Player Liaison, informed Dobosz that a €1K ticket will find its way to his PokerStars account by the end of the day, which he has 12 months to cash in.
Dobosz, a frequent visitor to the EPT with $55K in tournament winnings, then made his way to his tournament table for Day 2 of EPT Prague. He has a decent stack there too and the chance of further success.
Remember, all of this began with victory in an online satellite on PokerStars. A similar Flip Out event took place for Eureka Prague satellite winners too, so it’s just one more reason to continue playing those online events and booking yourself a potential trip of a lifetime.
EPT Barcelona champion Simon Wiciak, plus two-time WSOP final table player Antoine Saout were playing the Flip Out event in Prague, having both qualified online. But this is one tournament where you genuinely don’t need to fear the sharks.
