by Brad Willis

To some it might seem presumptuous to open an event (say, a bachelor party or child's birthday) with "Also Sprach Zarathustra" (thanks, Pauly) aka, the overture from 2001: A Space Odyssey. However, for an event of this magnitude, the thundering music seemed almost fitting. Fog rolled from the stage and revealed the EPT Grand Final trophy.

Now, we begin with 15,000 in starting chips, 90-minute levels, and the promise of seven full levels of play. Simple math dictates, we're going to be here for a while as the first flight of the event makes its way toward Day 2. So, we settle in, the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra still in our ears and the rattle of chips bouncing around the room.

A quick look at the tables reveals a bevy of name players in the field. Simon Young will be logging on shortly to offer us a review of some of the bigger players in the field. Until then, a few photos from around the room.


Noah Boeken


Carl Olson


Barry Greenstein


Jimmy "gobboboy" Fricke