Posted on: September 1, 2023, 06:46h.
Last updated on: September 1, 2023, 06:46h.
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event during the summer of this year witnessed a staggering number of 10,043 entries, setting new records for this prestigious tournament. Now, the World Poker Tour (WPT) aims to raise the stakes even higher with their upcoming World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas series later this year.
Last year, the WPT World Championship in Las Vegas attracted a total of 2,960 entries. The event started with a $15 million guarantee, but the participation exceeded expectations, resulting in a final prize pool of over $29 million.
The WPT is now preparing for an even grander event this year, and they are warning the Wynn Las Vegas casino to brace themselves for an influx of players. The upcoming World Championship will offer a massive $40 million in guaranteed cash prizes.
The Big Game
The WPT World Championship festival will kick off on November 29 and continue until December 23. The series will feature a range of tournaments catering to different preferences and skill levels, including Pot-Limit Omaha, 8-Max, NLHE, and more.
Buy-ins for the tournaments vary, starting as low as $600 for an NLHE event and reaching as high as $1 million for the prestigious Big One for One Drop. Many of the events come with guaranteed prize pools, although others, like the Big One for One Drop, will depend on the number of entries.
While each event is expected to attract a considerable crowd, the Championship Event will undoubtedly steal the spotlight. Running from December 12 to 21, this event features four starting flights and requires a $10,400 buy-in.
Most of the buy-in money, $9,800 to be exact, contributes to the prize pool. This means that at least 4,082 entries are needed for the WPT to avoid an overlay.
The fact that players had to contribute the same amount for entry into the big game last year indicates the confidence of both the WPT and the Wynn in the event’s success. Given that the 2022 event drove the prize pool up to $29 million, it’s a relatively safe bet.
Another highlight of the series is the WPT Prime Championship. Introduced in Las Vegas last year, this event attracted 5,430 entries vying for a share of the $5.2 million prize pool.
The tournament will take place from December 7 to 12 this year and will guarantee a prize pool of $5 million. Stephen Song emerged as the champion last year, pocketing over $712,000 in winnings.
Vegas Readies More Poker
The WPT World Championship festival is just one of several major poker events still to come in Las Vegas this year. The options include a tournament hosted by the Vegas Golden Knights Alumni Association (VGK) and another event organized by PokerStars.
The VGK will showcase their favorite NHL team in a tournament on October 13. The Palms Casino Resort will host this annual charity event, which aims to raise funds for various causes.
Among the poker players who may participate are former NHL players Deryk Engelland, who currently serves as the VGK’s president, and Shane Hnidy, the VP of the organization. Daniel Negreanu, a 6-time WSOP bracelet winner, is a devoted Vegas Golden Knights fan, so his surprise appearance is not out of the question.
The PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) is making a comeback after a 12-year hiatus. The tour’s first stop will be at Resorts World Las Vegas starting on November 4.
The NAPT initially debuted in 2010 as poker gained popularity in the US. However, it was abruptly shutdown a year later due to the controversial crackdown by the US government on online gaming, known as “Black Friday”.
The upcoming series includes a high roller event with a buy-in of $5,300, as well as a main event with a $1,650 buy-in. PokerStars is still finalizing the complete details and schedule.