Next month one of the most popular stops in the history of poker returns: EPT Barcelona.
The ultimate summer vacation for poker players is just around the corner, so we recommend you either get planning or get qualifying! Satellites for both the €1,100 National event and the €5,300 EPT Barcelona Main Event are running right now on PokerStars.
But once you’ve decided to go, you now need to know what to do once you get there. Look no further.
Here we answer some of the most common EPT Barcelona questions, from where you should stay, to where you can sample some of the city’s best beers.
You can win your seat to EPT Barcelona. Click here to open an account and get started.
Casino Barcelona
How do I get to EPT Barcelona?
First off, you need to get yourself to Barcelona. The city’s El-Prat airport is roughly 12km from the city centre, and a taxi to either Casino Barcelona or one of its nearby hotels will cost somewhere in the €30-€40 range. However, a dedicated airport transfer service from Barcelona El-Prat airport to city centre hotels is available for all players. Contact the PokerStars Travel team or call (0034) 93 325 6777 for details on that.
If you’d rather keep travel costs down to a minimum, there is also the Metro Underground, as well as the Aerobus connecting from the Airport to Barcelona City Centre.
Once you’ve checked into your hotel, it’s time to play some poker. You’ll find info for Casino Barcelona below:
Casino Barcelona (annexe at Hotel Arts)
Marina, 19-21 (Port Olímpic) 08005
Contact Telephone: (0034) 900 354 354
Dress code: Casual, but no sportswear/shorts
Minimum age: 18 years+
NB: Must bring a valid government-issued passport or ID to participate.
Where should I stay during EPT Barcelona?
As Casino Barcelona is just a stone’s throw away from the beach, there’s no shortage of high-end hotels nearby.
The five-star Hotel Arts is the official tournament hotel as it’s annexed with the Casino, and upon leaving your room you can be at the Casino in a matter of seconds (presuming you can skip the entry queues). Prices start from €370 a night though, so it’s on the more expensive side.
Just two minutes down the road is the Pullman Barcelona Skipper, which offers five-star rooms from a (slightly) more affordable €270 a night.
For a cheaper option, both the Hotel SB Icaria and H10 Marina are roughly a five to ten-minute walk away, and at four stars seem good value with rooms starting from €168 a night.
Head to PokerStars Travel for a full list of nearby hotels, or why not group together with some friends and rent a nearby apartment on Airbnb?
What should I do whilst in Barcelona?
Good question, but tough to answer. It really depends on what you like doing!
Want to check out some incredible, Instagrammable architecture? Check out Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia or La Pedrera.
Want to take a walk back in history? Head to the Park Güell (also by Gaudí) for lunch before taking a stroll to The Cathedral of Barcelona.
To make sure you see everything — and get the most out of it — we recommend taking a walking tour of Barcelona, many of which are free (with guests ‘tipping’ their tour guides at the end).
To really get in the hustle and bustle of the city, you’re going to want to check out Las Ramblas.
However, if you’re more of a ‘lay on the beach’ kind of person, then wherever you end up staying you won’t be far from Barcelona’s beautiful sandy bays (where you can play some poker on your mobile).
But let’s be honest: you want to play some live poker tournaments, right?
There are 51 different events running throughout EPT Barcelona, plus a large cash game area with varying stakes, so it won’t be hard for you to find a game.
CHECK OUT THE A-Z OF EPT BARCELONA HERE
Where should I eat and drink whilst at EPT Barcelona?
There are plenty of food options just outside the casino for when you’re on dinner break and want some fresh air.
There’s amazing nightlife in Barcelona
Arenal restaurant is right on the beach and offers fresh Spanish seafood just an eight-minute walk from the Casino. For some quick and delicious pasta that won’t break the bank, Gino’s will take you less than two minutes to reach. These are just a couple of options, but trust us, there are lots.
There’s also a McDonald’s in the port right next door, plus there’s a great ice cream parlour right across the street from the Casino if you need some dessert.
When you’ve finished at the tables, the city is your oyster. For craft beer fans, we highly recommend a visit to the Garage Beer Co brewery (about 15 minutes away in a cab) which serves some of the best IPAs we’ve ever tasted. Want to hit a club? Pacha is right next door to the Casino.
If you just want a few quiet drinks near the casino there are plenty of bars with outdoor seating right on the beach, or you could do what the locals do: buy a couple of ice-cold cans and sit yourself down on the sand.
DON’T FORGET! The Player’s Party will take place on August 25 at Bestial, just two minutes from the Casino. From 9pm until midnight you’ll be able to enjoy an open bar, mojito station, Iberian ham carving station, churros station, a DJ all night long, entertainment and prizes up for grabs.
What else do I need to know about EPT Barcelona?
Here are a few more important tips for your EPT Barcelona trip:
• You’ll need your passport in order to enter the casino.
• The Casino Barcelona dress code is casual, but sportswear and shorts are not allowed. Make sure you have a pair of trousers with you!
• You can dodge queues and secure a spot in your chosen tournaments by pre-registering using your credit card via the Casino Barcelona Online shop. This option will become available nearer the event. If you pre-register you will skip the registrations line and will be able to get your ticket at PSLive Ticket Collection desks.
• Are you a qualifier? Collect your gold wristband and merchandise and check-out what activities we have in store for you at the Welcome Desk.