At the end of August, the European Poker tour comes once more to the purpose-built marina resort complex of Vilamoura, on Portugal's stunning Algarve coast.

Last year's tournament attracted 322 of the world's top players, competing for a prize pool of 1,561,700 Euros and a first prize of 404,793 Euros which went to local player Antonio Matias.

This year, the main event promises to be even bigger, capped to 700 players - each paying the 5000 Euro entry fee for a whopping prize pool of 3.5 million Euros. The action begins on the 28th of August at the Solverde Casino.

If the main event is beyond your wallet, there are plenty of side events to keep the casual player interested, including super-satellites and a ladies only tournament. There are also opportunities to qualify on-line.

If the cards do not fall in your favour, there is plenty to do in the area. For example, there are six golf courses in Vilamoura alone, with many others within easy reach. Water sports, parascending, yachting and big-game fishing are also on offer (a record breaking marlin was caught from a Vilamoura boat; the unfortunate 737kg and 3.65m beast is on display at the harbour).

The 1,000 berth marina area has plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs to keep the visitor entertained into the small hours, as well as boats for charter and tours of the coast. If you prefer to take it easy, sandy beaches are a short distance from the complex.

Vilamoura itself is situated just 20km from the Algarve's principal town, Faro, and with regular cheap flights to Faro airport available, it is an ideal spot to catch some late summer sunshine, and who knows, maybe a big prize (or a big fish) as well!