First EPT Champion Alexander Stevic is Back in Barcelona Where He Won it All in 2004
The €5,300 buy-in PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona Main Event kicked off Sunday at Casino Barcelona, and there was a bit of history in play at the start of the major poker tournament.
John Duthie, the poker legend responsible for creating what has become one of the premier poker tours in the world, took his seat for the Day 1a session. The first player to have ever won an event on the tour built by Duthie, Alexander Stevic, is also competing in the Main Event.
First Winner Remembers the Good Old Days
Stevic, who spoke with PokerNews on the first break of Day 1a, won the EPT Barcelona Open in 2004 for €80,000. The tournament at the time cost just €1,000 to enter and attracted 229 players, far fewer than what the higher buy-in version brings in annually these days.
“Winning the first one is cool in a way because you will always be the first. But, if I could choose, I would probably choose the third of the fourth one because I would have won like a million and a half,” Stevic joked.
Stevic couldn’t pick and choose the EPT event he won. His victory in 2004 was for a much smaller amount than, as he mentioned, the 2005 EPT Barcelona winner, Jan Boubli, who took home €426,000. Last year’s victor in the now €5,300 buy-in EPT Barcelona Main Event, Simon Wiciak, made €1,134,375. But Stevic is still proud of being an EPT champion and has great memories of that special day.
“It was very different 20 years ago than playing a tournament today, that I remember,” Stevic said about his recollection of winning the first EPT. “Because everyone was talking to each other at the table, it was mostly pros in that tournament, actually, because it was so early on that most of the pros traveled back then. But, yeah, everyone was talking. Now, they’ve played two levels, two hours, and no one has said one word.”
“I mean, really, not one word.”
The inaugural EPT champion, despite his displeasure with the lack of banter at the poker tables these days, said he’s still passionate about poker and his love for the game has never diminished. But he also acknowledges the game is tougher in 2024 than it was in 2004.
“The skill, the players today, or the pros today is much higher. It’s much harder. Today, I’d say it’s much tougher,” Stevic said.
The game and the European Poker Tour has grown almost exponentially in the past 20 years. PokerStars took over the tour in 2011 and it’s grown to heights Stevic didn’t anticipate when he won the EPT Barcelona Open.
“I don’t think anyone did back then,” Stevic answered when asked if he saw in 2004 the EPT one day becoming so big. “But television helped a lot, and online helped a lot. It was the beginning of everything, really. But I didn’t think it would grow to this.”
Stevic, who shared a conversation on break with Duthie, got off to a rough start in the Main Event on Sunday. He said he made a huge fold in a big pot but never saw his opponent’s cards. The Swedish poker player was down to less than half his starting stack at the time of publishing.
FAQ
How does account verification work?
How does account verification work? WPT Global reserves the right to request documents to verify the identity of players and prevent problem or fraudulent activity. The types of documents required are: proof of identity (ID card, passport, driver’s license), proof of address (utility bills or bank statements not more than three months old) and proof of deposit (cards or e-wallet). When requested, players must provide full, clear, color photos or screenshots of verification documents. Further information regarding account verification is available on the WPT Global FAQ page.
Can you withdraw from WPT Global?
Can you withdraw from WPT Global? Before making your first withdrawal, WPT Global, as a licensed operator, requires new customers to verify their account by providing the necessary documentation. This includes: Documentation that proves your identity such as a driving licence or passport.
What is the WPT bonus code?
What is the WPT bonus code? The WPT bonus code is WPT777. Use this code at WPTglobal.com to get up to $1200 poker bonus. This code has been approved by WPT Global and gives new users the maximum new user offer.
Can I use tracking software or a HUD?
Can I use tracking software or a HUD? No, the use of third party software is prohibited.
Who is the best WPT player?
Who is the best WPT player? Leaderboard Rank Player Titles 1 Carlos Mortensen 3 2 Daniel Negreanu 2 3 Michael Mizrachi 2 4 Fedor Holz 1
Download & Play WPT Global Application In Shortly
This site only collects related articles. Viewing the original, please copy and open the following link:First EPT Champion Alexander Stevic is Back in Barcelona Where He Won it All in 2004
