31 Jan 12

EPT Deauville Begins: ElkY, Duhamel, Scotty Nguyen to Play

The PokerStars European Poker Tour returns to Deauville, France for the sixth time. As well as the standard contingent of big names in Team PokerStars, we have word that Scotty Nguyen, baby, will be playing.

The 2012 EPT Deauville, Jan. 31 - Feb. 6

Champion Lucien Cohen and his rat at EPT Deauville 2011.

The 2011 EPT Deauville attracted a record field of 891 players, generating a prize pool of more than €4.45 million. Lucien Cohen, the clear underdog of the final table, defeated Martin Jacobson heads-up to award an EPT title to a Frenchman for the sixth time.

This year we can expect another large field, given the booming poker market in France and the success of the WSOPE Cannes in September.

PokerStars Blog will be following the action throughout the week until a winner is crowned. Check out their live ticker:

PokerStars Blog: EPT Deauville 2012

The Usual Suspects
The odds of a Frenchman taking home the title again aren't too bad when we take into account the presence of EPT winner Arnaud Mattern and recent European Poker Award winner, Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier.

The two French pros are just some of the names that Team PokerStars have confirmed will attend the event. Others set to be donning the red spade at Deauville include Eugene Katchalov, Vanessa Selbst, Vanessa Rousso and recent scourge of the PCA, Jonathan Duhamel.

Unfamiliar Faces
The best thing about havign an event in a beautiful seaside resort is the attraction to otherwise unseen tournament regulars. Kara Scott revealed that she will be playing Day 1A of the EPT Deauville today, which is unusual for the Irish Open runner-up.

Furthermore, we have confirmation that one Mr. Scotty Nguyen will be joining the field in France. Look out for the French bars being drunk dry and slurred cries of "Le baby!"