The London leg of the European Poker Tour kicks off on Tuesday and is set to be the biggest poker tournament ever played in the UK.

Over 400 of the world’s best poker players are expected to attend the event and compete for one of the most prestigious titles in world poker, including members of Team PokerStars such as Daniel Negreanu, Chris Moneymaker, (2003 World Champion) and Gavin Griffin, winner of the EPT Grand Final.

This year sees the fourth London EPT crown a spectacular year for poker; 2007 has seen an explosion in the UK poker scene and entrants to EPT events across Europe.

Last season saw over 3,500 players take part in EPT tournaments for a total prize pool of over €26million and this season’s tour is set to be even bigger, encompassing nine venues across Europe and the newly added PokerStars.com Caribbean Adventure – a tournament that takes place in the Bahamas during the EPT’s mid-season break.

John Duthie, founder of the EPT, said:

“The PokerStars.com London EPT is like no other event in the sporting calendar. Set at ‘The Vic’ – the casino that is the spiritual home of poker in London – the London EPT brings together world champions, the best British and European professionals, as well as talented amateurs and online qualifiers to compete for one of poker’s biggest prizes.

“Last year’s London EPT saw a hugely popular winner in Vicky Coren and as a cash game regular at the Vic, she will definitely have ‘home field advantage’ as she tries to retain her title. The London EPT 2006 was the biggest live poker tournament ever held in the UK and we expect this year’s event to be even more successful.”

The PokerStars.com EPT is now in its fourth season and has grown in tandem with the recent explosion in popularity of poker in Europe. PokerStars sends hundreds of online qualifiers to EPT events as well as members of Team PokerStars, its squad of professional players.

Further members of Team PokerStars playing in the London EPT include 2007 WSOP finalist Hevad Khan, Dario Mineri, Katja Thater, Noah Boeken, and Luca Pagano.