The London leg of the PokerStars.com European Poker Tour runs from 1-5 October and is set to be one of the largest poker tournaments ever played in the UK, and PokerStars are guaranteeing a £1million first prize - almost double that of last year’s event.

The PokerStars.com EPT is coming into its fifth season, with the London tournament forming an integral part of the tour. The London event, held in the notorious Victoria Casino, has the capacity to hold 500 players at the event – PokerStars are expecting to send over 150 online qualifiers.

PokerStars satellites start on 4 August, from as little as $2.22 cash or 111 FPP, or players can buy directly into the event for £5,400. Last year’s event saw Joseph Mouawad (a PokerStars cash qualifier) from Lebanon walk away with £611,520 when he took the sought after first prize.

The EPT has grown in tandem with the recent explosion in popularity of poker in Europe. Season Four saw 5,902 players battle for the titles throughout the EPT tour – which is an increase of more than 2,000 from Season three – events took place in 11 countries generating a total prize pool of almost €40million.

“The PokerStars.com London EPT is like no other event in the sporting calendar, it 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” said John Duthie, founder of the EPT.