The iconic EPT Monte Carlo festival takes place between April 30^th and May 10^th this year and it is the 20^th year since the European Poker Tour stopped in the coastal principality on the Mediterranean. Two decades of drama, red hot action and legendary reputations later, Monte Carlo is ready to make new memories and the PokerStake players heading to Europe are determined to make this event their own.

Find out who you can back with your own money as we tip those looking to make big money in the stunning setting of Monte Carlo.

What Events are Taking Place?

With a packed schedule, there are some standout events taking place over the next 10 days at EPT Monte Carlo. The PokerStars Open kicks it off with a €1,100-entry Main Event between April 30 and May 4, the €550 buy-in PokerStars Cup on May 2^nd and 3^rd, and the PokerStars Open High Roller costing €2,200 on May 3^rd and 4^th.

The EPT Super High Roller is between May 3^rd and 5^th and is €100,000 to play, with a €25,000 PLO High Roller on May 4^th and 5^th, the €5,300 EPT Main Event between the 4^th and 10^th of the month, a €3,000 EPT Mystery Bounty between May 6^th and 8^th and a €25,000 EPT High Roller taking place between May 8^th and 10^th.

There has been a major change in procedure that signals the beginning of the festival too, with dealers now using the ‘slide’ technique rather than the ‘toss’. This is to eliminate cheating, and the higher possibility of cards flipping over during the deal. This has been met with approval from almost everyone. So, who’s playing in the stunning Salle des Etoiles cardroom in Monte Carlo? A whole clutch of top PokerStake talent, that’s who.

Big Winners Take to the Stage

Mixed game player Jon Kyte is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Main Event and is selling not one but two bullets to the event at a markup of 1.50. We spoke to Jon earlier this year about his ability in mixed games and No Limit Hold’em and he’s one to watch, especially when deep as his vast experience of EPT events means he’ll have a familiarity with the environment when it comes to the crunch.

North Macedonian Ilija Savevski is playing a host of events and selling at a markup of between 1.05 and 1.10 as he takes on Mystery Bounty, EPT High Rollers and more in Monte Carlo. He’s cashed recently, too, with a win and a final table appearance this year something of a springboard for big success in the principality.

Legendary Dutch player Govert Metaal is going to be a man on a mission in Monte Carlo but is also playing with the kind of freedom money cannot buy. Desperately ill during COVID, Metaal’s recovery was a one in 100 shot as he told us in this highly emotional interview back in late March. Somehow, he is in his second life and not wasting a minute of it. His success is sure to be one of the stories of the year if he bags a big one and is selling two bullets to two events at a markup of 1.05.

Mixing it Up in Monte Carlo

As we detailed on X earlier this week, “Adi Rajkovic is firing in the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event and a recent runner-up finish for $91K at the PokerStars Open Campione High Roller [means] he’s primed for a breakout on poker’s biggest stage.”

We couldn’t agree more. Rajkovic’ runner-up result in Campione was good for his best-ever score but it’s not his only one. The Vienna native has won over $750,000 at the live felt and is a sleeper hit waiting to happen. The fact that the Austrian is selling at between 1.00 (no markup) and 1.20 in the Main Event and High Roller make him a top pick for at least a cash and maybe a whole lot more.

Dario Alioto is selling to multiple events too, and the Italian PLO expert is great value in ‘the four-card game’.  Two PLO High Rollers are on his ticket at between 1.04 and 1.11 markup and he’s selling like ice creams in Las Vegas during hot season.

Our deep dive on Stephen Song’s incredible back in February was a revealing look at how one of the EPT’s most successful ever players stays at the top of his game. Song is selling to three events at between 1.04 and 1.11 markup, with the sweet spot of between €10,000 and €25,000 buy-ins exactly the range Song does the most damage at. He’s a massive favorite to bag profit and after winning the biggest-ever EPT Barcelona Main Event for €1.4 million, Monte Carlo could be the stuff of dreams for one of PokerStake’s most successful players.

Here’s what happened when Stephen Song won the EPT Barcelona Main Event:

Lastly, but by no means least, Aram Zobian takes on Event #49, the €25,000-entry High Roller, selling two bullets at either 1.10 (first) or 1.08 (second) in markup. Aram has won the U.S. Poker Open outright in the last 13 months and sits on over $6 million in winnings in live tournaments alone.

Whoever you’re backing at EPT Monte Carlo, head to our staking page today and get in quickly before you miss out on red hot action.