Bodog Beat

French poker pro Bertrand 'elKy' Grospellier is out in the field for Day 1b of the EPT Dortmund. (Bodog Beat Image)

The European Poker Tour is back in the swing of things in Dortmund, Germany, this week for the EPT German Open. Day 1a is already in the books and Day 1b is now underway, and based on the unofficial entrant numbers for today, this year's event will be a record-breaker.

When all was said and done on Day 1a, 306 players had ponied up their €5,000 ($6,380) buy-in to participate in the event, much more than half of the 493 total entrants that showed up last year. So, all they needed was another 180-ish players to come out for Day 1b in order the break that record. With the unofficial numbers being reported right now, 350 people have come out for today's competition, putting the total way above that number. What economic downturn?

Among the players that came out for the EPT German Open were several well-known poker pros including Katja Thater, Luca Pagano, Max Pescatori, Clonie Gowen, Marcel Luske, Dario Minieri, 2008 WSOP Main Event champion Peter Eastgate and defending champion Mike "timex" McDonald.

Survivors of the eight blind levels of carnage today will join the 115 survivors from Day 1a for Day 2 tomorrow. The chip leader from Day 1a is Swedish poker pro William Thorsson and it looks like Pescatori has jumped out to an early lead today.

Stay tuned for more updates from the EPT German Open and if you want us to be updating on your progress at an EPT event, then qualify online for the EPT through the Bodog Flight Club promotion and travel the world in style.