Online Poker

The final event of the European Poker Tour started today in Monte Carlo, Europe's playground for the rich and famous.

Players are enjoying the luxurious surrounds at Salles des Etoiles at the Monte Carlo Sporting at the exclusive Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort.

Sponsored exclusively by PokerStars.com, the EPT is finishing it's third season with what is going to be the biggest prize pool ever for a European poker tournament.

With at least 650 players and a record prize pool of more than €6 million (nearly US $8,000,000), the EPT Season 3 Grand Final is the richest poker touranment ever held outside the USA. The winner will receive more than €1,600,000 (over US $2,200,000).

The six-day No Limit Texas Hold'em tournament ends on April 2. Nearly all Team PokerStars are plaaying including former World champions Greg Raymer, Chris Moneymaker and Joe Hachem as well as Lee Nelson, Humberto Brenes, Barry Greenstein, Katja Thater, Luca Pagano, Noah Boeken, Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, Isabelle Mercier, Victor Ramdin, Bill Chen and Vanessa Rousso.

Last year's Grand Final, with a prize pool of €2,980,000, was won by PokerStars qualifier Jeff Williams, 19, who went home with €900,000 (US $1,100,000).

On the first day of play,PokerStars players Greg Raymer & Victor Ramdin did well, as did Australian Mark Vos from Full Tilt Poker.

Here are the top 10 chip counts at the end of day 1a.

Steve Jelinek 110000
Thomas Wahlroos 88200
Jani Vilmunen 88000
Mark Vos 76000
Hans Ritburg 69000
Josh Arieh 65000
Greg Raymer 48000
Harry Demetriou 47500
Johnny Lodden 47200
Victor Ramdin 43800

Day 1b will be played tomorrow and we'll keep you updated with all the action from Monte Carlo right here at Poker.com.