There are few British poker players in history who have made as profound an impact upon the game as John Duthie. Beyond proving himself time and again as a competitor of global renown, he has done more to spread the reach of poker across the continent than any other single person. If that sounds like a rather inflated claim, take a moment to consider the seismic impact the European Poker Tour has had in expanding interest in the game of poker among the public. Thanks for this tremendous movement must be made directly to John Duthie, because he is the man who created the EPT out of nothing but his own imagination and deep love for the game.

Perhaps it takes an eye for great drama in order to be able to visualize something as massively entertaining as the European Poker Tour. This theory makes a lot of sense when one considers the phenomenal success Duthie has realized beyond the realm of gambling. He is the director of several highly lauded British television series, including “As If,” “Clocking Off,” and “Silent Witness.” Clearly, this is someone who knows drama, and how to unfold a thrilling narrative.

Though he has been playing poker in a number of different environments for years, it is only fitting that a man with Duthie’s background in television should reach the zenith of his poker playing career (thus far) in front of a live televised audience. In the year 2000, John Duthie stunned the world when he won the Poker Million competition. A truly historic event, it was the first time a seven-figure sum had been won as part of a televised event, and before all tournaments filled up with free online poker satellite winners.

Exhilarated by that incredible triumph, Duthie started brooding about how to capitalize on the surge in poker’s mass popularity his million-pound win had helped to engender. Only four years later, the world got a chance to behold the results of his brainstorm.

2004 saw the inaugural match of the European Poker Tour, a lavish running event sponsored in association with Poker Stars. Currently shown in more than 40 nations around the globe, the EPT is undeniably one of the most vital forces in poker today. Some glamorous locales used for events include Casino Copenhagen in Denmark, Casino Barcelona in Spain, Grand Casino Baden in Austria, Merrion Casino Club in Ireland and the Monte Carlo Bay Resort in Monaco.

When he’s not busy overseeing the EPT empire bearing his stamp, John Duthie likes to spend time annihilating opponents at the green felt. A devoted family man, he lives in London. A supportive wife and two sons help to keep him grounded even as the reach of the European Poker Tour continues to expand. If ever one competitor seemed to be blessed with the Midas Touch, it is John Duthie. But don’t expect him to slow down now that he’s achieved heights few people would dare to dream of. Duthie has always been driven by an intense hunger to surpass his previous feats, and he’s sworn to his legions of fans that the best is still yet to come.

There are many online poker rooms offering satellite tournaments to EPT events. If you wish visit a European poker tournament, look through the poker site reviews and poker forums that are all over the Internet nowadays – they’ll guide you to all qualifying tournaments.