The number of top tournament players qualified is currently 260 and all eyes will be on how many of those play the second Main Event. 137 played in the first event that had no competition, but this event is running at the same time as several current or upcoming Europe-based EPT, WPT and Partouche tournaments.
Zimba analysis:The Epic Poker League has carved a unique position with no rake, exclusive qualification, and value added tournaments, but many fear that forces beyond its control are in play. Competing tournaments and poker company forces may keep many of the most popular players from endorsing and embracing this new tour.
One feature of the Epic Poker League, is their requirement of all players in the money to disclose their backing arrangements to other players. For instance, no player may have a smaller interest in him or herself than he or she has in any other player in the event. Trades of equity between players are limited to a maximum of 10 percent. It is an attempt to be more open and forthright about the back room dealings that go on in tournaments that can affect the way events play out. I'm not sure though how they can police this proactively, but I'm sure as in the Chino Rheem "player conduct violation," they can react strongly when they do spot violations.
Many eyes will want to see if the big poker names will come out in support of this PGA-style poker series.
One feature of the Epic Poker League, is their requirement of all players in the money to disclose their backing arrangements to other players. For instance, no player may have a smaller interest in him or herself than he or she has in any other player in the event. Trades of equity between players are limited to a maximum of 10 percent. It is an attempt to be more open and forthright about the back room dealings that go on in tournaments that can affect the way events play out. I'm not sure though how they can police this proactively, but I'm sure as in the Chino Rheem "player conduct violation," they can react strongly when they do spot violations.
Many eyes will want to see if the big poker names will come out in support of this PGA-style poker series.
