David Lappin: EPT Barcelona, 200th Podcast, and Online Poker Ethics

Learn about the main events of EPT Barcelona with David Lappin, the anniversary episode of The Chip Race podcast, and a discussion on online poker ethics.

In this article, we will give a detailed account of the key events and trends related to PokerStars ambassador David Lappin’s participation at the EPT Barcelona festival, the milestone 200th episode of The Chip Race podcast, as well as his views on ethics in the online poker industry. Readers will learn about the record-breaking numbers of the series, changes in the tournament schedule, organizational features, and why Lappin advocates for fair and regulated poker rooms. At the end of the article, you’ll find practical recommendations for PPPoker club players. EPT Barcelona: Record Numbers and the Series’ Popularity The European Poker Tour (EPT) festival in Barcelona is traditionally considered one of the most popular stops in the history of European poker. This year, interest in the series was once again sky-high: more than 4,000 players took part in the PokerStars Open Main Event alone. David Lappin noted that Barcelona has always been one of the most attractive EPT stops and, overall, one of the main events on Europe’s poker calendar. In previous years, the record for the number of Main Event participants was set here. In 2024, the series once again posted impressive numbers: another record was broken for entries in the Cup tournament, which had a buy-in of €825. According to Lappin, this buy-in level turned out to be the “golden mean”—optimal for attracting a wide audience. He expressed interest in how the organizers will build on this success next year. The festival’s popularity is explained not only by attractive prize pools and the EPT’s status, but also by its great location and well-thought-out organization, which brings together players from all over the world. Schedule Changes: How Small Adjustments Affect the Player Experience Given the growing interest in EPT Barcelona, the organizers had to make a number of changes to the schedule and tournament structure. David Lappin explained that the main reason for these changes was capacity and efficient resource allocation. According to him, the series’ popularity in previous years led to registration queues and even forced some tournaments to be played at 10-handed tables, which reduced player comfort. In 2024, the organizers decided to slightly increase the buy-ins to balance the number of participants and the quality of the playing experience. In Lappin’s opinion, this helped avoid excessive crowding and queues, and ensured a decent level of service for all guests. He noted that while a small increase in buy-ins might deter some players coming from mass-market tournaments like the Open, overall this decision improved the festival’s atmosphere and player experience. Lappin emphasized that the PokerStars Live Events team, particularly Toby Stone, Nick O’Hara, and Kenny Hallaert, did an excellent job: they managed to find a balance between maximum room occupancy and comfort for each participant. According to him, the most important thing is not just to gather as many people as possible, but to make sure every player has a positive experience, without exhausting queues and inconveniences. Thus, even small adjustments to the schedule and tournament structure can significantly affect the overall impression of the series and the brand’s reputation among players. The 200th Episode of The Chip Race Podcast: A Decade-Long Journey In addition to playing live tournaments, David Lappin is actively developing The Chip Race podcast, which he co-hosts with Dara O’Kearney. The project recently reached an important milestone—the release of its 200th episode. Over the years, the podcast has become one of the most recognizable media projects in the poker community, with the hosts conducting nearly a thousand interviews with various industry figures. Lappin shared that the path to popularity was gradual and organic. He noted that in today’s media landscape, there are no barriers to starting your own podcast or blog—anyone can begin, but to succeed, it’s important to find your audience. If a project becomes in demand, brand partnership offers follow, and then the opportunity for monetization arises. For Lappin and O’Kearney, the main goal remains meeting new people from the poker world, constantly searching for interesting guests and fresh topics to discuss. According to Lappin, reaching the 200-episode mark feels “surreal,” especially considering that each episode features four interviews, meaning the number of guests is approaching a thousand. The hosts emphasize that their project is an endless journey through the poker world, during which they strive to meet as many players, experts, and enthusiasts as possible. Industry Ethics: Lappin’s Stance on “Questionable” Online Rooms Special attention in the interview was given to issues of ethics and regulation in online poker. David Lappin and his podcast co-host, Dara O’Kearney, advocate for prioritizing fair and regulated poker rooms that comply with legal requirements and act in the interests of players. Lappin openly stated that he is concerned about the spread of offshore and cryptocurrency-based sites with questionable reputations. He noted that he understands why some players choose such sites—they are often attracted by large fields and more favorable conditions. Nevertheless, in Lappin’s opinion, such companies operate outside the scope of regulation, which gives them an unfair advantage over legal operators. Lappin stressed that he is not inclined to judge the players themselves, who are forced to look for alternatives when choices are limited. However, he believes that everyone in the industry has a certain responsibility, and companies that break the rules deserve harsh criticism. In his view, fair competition is only possible when unified standards and transparent rules are observed. As practical advice for players, Lappin recommends: Checking the legality of online poker in your jurisdiction; Using official deposit methods and claiming bonuses only on licensed platforms; Choosing the right game format among legal options. He also reminded readers that there are free online poker options that do not require a deposit. Tournament Results and Statistics: Lappin on the Verge of a Million At the time of EPT Barcelona, David Lappin was on the verge of surpassing $1,000,000 in live tournament winnings over his career. Despite the fact that, by his own admission, the Barcelona festival went “diabolically”—that is, extremely unsuccessfully—for him, Lappin still maintains his status as one of PokerStars’ most successful ambassadors. Exact prize amounts, buy-ins, stack sizes, and final table positions for Lappin at EPT Barcelona are not specified in the source, but it is known that his next cash could allow him to cross the symbolic million-dollar mark in career winnings. Overall, participating in such major series as the EPT allows professional players not only to compete for impressive prizes but also to maintain a high media profile, which is important for ambassadors of major brands. Context: What Is EPT Barcelona and Who Is David Lappin The European Poker Tour (EPT) is one of the most prestigious live poker tournament series in the world, organized by PokerStars. The Barcelona stop traditionally opens the season and attracts a record number of participants thanks to its great location, infrastructure, and attractive prize pools. David Lappin is a professional poker player, PokerStars ambassador, and media figure known for The Chip Race podcast. His career spans both live and online tournaments, as well as active public work promoting fair play and supporting regulated poker rooms. Lappin is known for his principled stance on poker ethics and his commitment to making the poker industry more transparent and safer for players of all levels. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, the EPT Barcelona experience and David Lappin’s views can provide valuable practical lessons. First, attention to tournament organization quality and the balance between mass participation and comfort is a benchmark for club owners and administrators. Even small changes in tournament structure, buy-in size, or scheduling can significantly increase player satisfaction. Second, Lappin’s stance on ethics and regulation is also relevant for PPPoker players. When choosing clubs and platforms, it’s important to prioritize those that operate within the law, ensure fair play, and offer transparent payouts. This reduces risks and helps build long-term trust between players and organizers. Finally, the example of The Chip Race podcast shows how important openness and sharing experiences are within the poker community. PPPoker club players can use such media projects for self-development, finding new strategies, and expanding their network. In modern poker, success depends not only on skill at the table but also on being part of an active, informed, and ethical community.