There was a time when the United Kingdom and Ireland Poker Tour played the role of the understudy. It was new, exciting, full of energy, but always in the shadow of its older, bigger, more glamourous European cousin, the one that had more money and boasted about spending spring on the Riviera.
But after patiently filling in while the EPT was on repose, the UKIPT is finally recognised as the main feature it really is. No longer an understudy the UKIPT is its own main attraction, and we're excited to say it returns for a sixth season next month.
What's more, you can win your way through to the Season opener in London, with a West End run from April 5 to 10 at London's Hippodrome Casino.
If you haven't played at The Hippodrome Casino before you soon realise why it's an award winning casino, and one of the UK's favourite poker venues. It combines performance and hospitality with five bars, London's favourite steakhouse restaurant, live music and cabaret theatre, as well as a two tier smoking terrace and three floors of gaming. That's just inside The Hippodrome Casino. Outside there's even more.
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London is one of Europe's premier poker destinations. In some ways it's perfect. While it offers even the most eclectic of interests the perfect distractions during downtime, it will, like a good friend, help you celebrate your high points, and comfort you in your low points.
Not that Rapinder Cheema would know about the low points. He won the Main Event last time around, collecting £78,825 ahead of a field of more than 700 players. That's a high point in anyone's book. The best of British are expected to play, including Team Pro Jake Cody.
His success came in the Main Event, which this year has the same £700 + £70 buy-in. Of course you can earn that seat for as little as £1.10 in any number of online satellites now running on PokerStars. And if you prefer your satellites to have chairs and actual chips, there will be a £100 + £100 live qualifier at the Hippodrome Casino on Tuesday 5 April and Wednesday 6 April.
It's not just the Main Event that captures attention and imagination. There's a £2,000 + £200 High Roller on the schedule as well as the £300 + £30 London Cup which this season will feature the familiar voices of Joe Stapleton and James Hartigan (along with their faces), who are registered to play.
You can find all the key information about the London festival on the UKIPT Homepage, with details about events and satellites. Everything else you'll find out when you get there.
We'll see you in London.
Stephen Bartley is a staff writer for the PokerStars Blog.