PokerStars Tests New No-Bubble Tournament Format at EPT Barcelona

The poker world is looking toward Spain as the 21st edition of the European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona kicks off this weekend. From August 16 to 29, 2026, Casino Barcelona will once again become the epicenter of the international poker scene. While the schedule is packed with traditional events, one specific addition is generating significant buzz among professionals and amateurs alike. PokerStars is experimenting with a format that eliminates one of the most stressful phases of any tournament: the bubble.

The new tournament, aptly named "In the Money," begins on August 17. The concept is both simple and revolutionary for a multi-day event. Instead of waiting for a specific number of players to be eliminated before reaching the money, there is a fixed goal. Anyone who manages to build their stack to a certain size has already cleared the first hurdle toward victory. The classic stalling and tactical slowing of the game, which often leads to a frustrating experience, is intended to become a thing of the past.

Numbers and facts

For the debut of this format, participation is initially capped at 300 players. The entry fee, or buy-in, is listed at 550 Euro according to the PokerStars Live app. Interestingly, there are conflicting reports, as other industry portals list the price at 2,200 Euro. The decisive factor, however, is reaching the target stack. Once a player has 180.000 chips in front of them, the first day of the tournament ends immediately for them. They receive a guaranteed payout and automatically qualify for the second day of the event.

This system is based on the Milestone Satellites or Landmark Qualifiers already known from the World Series of Poker (WSOP) or the World Poker Tour (WPT). In those formats, players win their ticket to a larger event by reaching a specific chip milestone. Applying this principle to a regular multi-day tournament is considered a genuine novelty. It forces players into a completely new dynamic, as aggression is directly rewarded with the safety of reaching the money ranks.

Background

The introduction of the "In the Money" format is a direct response to a growing issue in large live tournaments: stalling. When the money ranks are close, many players take an excessive amount of time for every decision, hoping that someone else at another table will be eliminated first. This reduces the enjoyment for everyone involved and often presents tournament directors with major challenges. With the fixed chip target of 180,000 units at EPT Barcelona, this tactical reason for delay is removed. Those who play too passively risk others reaching the goal faster, potentially leaving them empty-handed if they lose their chips beforehand.

"It introduces new strategic play and excitement to Day 1 of the tournament." - Anuj Arora, Editor in Chief at Poker Industry PRO

The poker community will closely monitor how these 300 participants behave. If the trial run is successful, such formats could soon become standard at major festivals. It is an attempt to make poker faster and more viewer-friendly again without neglecting the competitive sporting component.

Why it matters for German players

For German poker players traveling to Barcelona, this format offers an exciting departure from the strictly regulated online market back home. In Germany, online poker is subject to the rules of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). While live tournaments in Spain follow local laws, players online must adhere to strict limits. This includes the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euro across all providers, monitored by the central LUGAS database.

Furthermore, online slots in Germany are limited to a 1 Euro stake per spin. While there is no direct 1 Euro rule per hand in poker, the tax framework and licensing by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) mean that many innovative formats often appear late or not at all on German white-list sites. Those participating in the "In the Money" tournament in Barcelona will experience a type of poker that is currently unavailable in licensed German online poker rooms. Nevertheless, the security provided by a GGL license remains the highest priority for players wishing to play for real money at home.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German providers with a GGL license must have every game format approved individually. A format like "In the Money" would first have to undergo an assessment in Germany to ensure it meets strict requirements for player protection and game mechanics. Since PokerStars is also licensed in Germany, this trial run in Barcelona could serve as a blueprint to potentially offer the format digitally to German customers later. It shows that the provider is willing to further develop the poker product, which could revitalize the legal German market in the long term, provided the GGL permits such innovations.