Press Release
Rinat Bogdanov Wins Televised WPT® Venice Grand Prix
RINAT BOGDANOV WINS TELEVISED WPT® VENICE GRAND PRIX
World Poker Tour® TV Talent and Special Performance by Celebrity Magician Dynamo Captivate Players
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London (13 February 2012) – Carnival and magic created the backdrop for amazing action at WPT Venice Grand Prix, the second televised European event of Season X. Hosted by Ca’ Vendramin, the oldest casino in the world, WPT Venice Grand Prix put on an extraordinary experience for the players braving the Siberian snap, which froze the canal for the first time in thirty years.
World Poker Tour co-hosts Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, the beautiful Royal Flush Girls and guest WPT Anchor Marianela Pereyra were in attendance, filming from Day One until the final hand. After a thrilling week of poker, Rinat Bogdanov rose to the top of the 155-player field to become the second Russian WPT Champion in Season X.
For the win, Bogdanov took home the first place prize of €229,800 including entry into the $25,000 WPT World Championship at Bellagio, Las Vegas this May. In addition, Rinat etched his name onto the stunning WPT Champions Cup and received the coveted WPT Champions Trophy, the Tiffany & Co.® WPT Champions Award and a one-of-a-kind Murano glass replica of the WPT Champions Cup. This special trophy was produced by the world-famous Venetian Consortium Promovetro Murano and certified original by Vetro Artistico® Murano.
Bogdanov has only been playing poker for three years and after his win exclaimed, “It’s unbelievable, this was my first big tournament, and now I’m heading to Las Vegas for the first time ever! I have three months to learn English! Of course, I’ll be playing WPT Vienna before then!”
The WPT final table featured two players who had just recently scored big on the World Poker Tour. In December, Italian Andrea Dato took 4th place in the non-televised WPT Venice and this time around one-upped his remarkable run by finishing 3rd for €72,275. Danish player Simon Ravnsbaek also returned to the WPT final table for the second time in less than a year, busting to Bogdanov in 4th place for €52,565.
WPT Venice Grand Prix welcomed an elite crowd of top professionals including Champions Club members James Dempsey, Roberto Romanello, Guillaume Darcourt, Sam El Sayed, and Alessio Isaia along with Tony G, Arnaud Mattern, Giovanni Rizzo, Padraig Parkinson, Max Pescatori, Melanie Weisner, Marvin Rettenmaier and many others.
Among the famous names was very special attendee, the world-renowned Magician Impossible star Dynamo. On Day 2 of the WPT Main Event, Dynamo performed a one-off 90-minute, intimate and spectacular show for all WPT guests during the VIP Players Party at Palazzo Ca’ Zanardi. The celebrity magician dazzled the crowd with a breathtaking act that included WPT Anchor Marianela Pereyra. This unforgettable experience for players and media was one of the many highlights of the event.
Dynamo flew in with his production crew from the UK for the WPT Venice Grand Prix. While cameras rolled during the entire event, Magician Impossible: Season 2 will also reveal never-before-seen illusions exclusively performed for the eyes of Mike Sexton, the Royal Flush Girls, Marianela Pereyra, Tony G, Kara Scott and Max Pescatori.
Final Table Standings
1 - Rinat Bogdanov (Russia) €229,800
2 - Alessandro Longobardi (Italy) €111,700
3 - Andrea Dato (Italy) €72,275
4 - Simon Ravnsbaek (Denmark) €52,565
5 - Gianluca Trebbi (Italy) €42,705
6 - Andrea Carini (Italy) €32,195
Player of the Year Standings
1 - Will Failla 1,650
2 - Vitor Coelho 1,500
3 - Bobby Oboodi 1,400
3 - James Dempsey 1,400
5 - Soi Nguyen 1,250
6 - Andrey Pateychuk 1,200
6 - Jin Hwang 1,200
6 - Matt Waxman 1,200
6 - Vanessa Selbst 1,200
10 - Daniel Buzgon 1,150
Immediately following the WPT Venice Grand Prix, the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open kicked-off from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. WPT Live Streaming of the final table begins on 14 February at 18:30 GMT / 1:30 pm ET / 10:30 am PT on www.WPT.com. In less than two weeks, the WPT Main Event of the Los Angeles Poker Classic starts at the Commerce Casino. As one of poker’s biggest events, the LAPC continues to attract huge turnouts year after year.
February and March are also momentous months for the WPT Regional and National series. With five events in less than 30 days, now is the opportune time to compete in a WPT-branded tournament with an accessible buy-in. The complete schedule is located here: www.tinyurl.com/69lkjza and includes the once-in-a-lifetime poker experience of WPT National: Mauritius. From 29 February to 5 March, the beautiful island nation located in the Indian Ocean plays host to this €1,100 + €100 buy-in tournament. For those who want to mix poker, sunshine and holidays, more information is available at www.wptnationalmauritius.com.
Pictures are courtesy of WPT at: www.flickr.com/photos/wpteurope
Buy-in online for WPT Season X events at: www.wptregistrations.com
WPT Media Contact:
Hermance Blum – Hermance.Blum@WPT.com +44 (0) 7917146228
About World Poker Tour
World Poker Tour (WPT) is the premier name in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high stakes poker tournaments. WPT has broadcast globally in over 150 countries and territories and is currently airing the all-new tenth season on FSN in the United States. WPT Season X is sponsored by ClubWPT.com, a unique online membership site which offers inside access to the WPT as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club and is available in 35 states across the U.S. WPT participates in strategic brand license, partnership and sponsorship opportunities. WPT Enterprises Inc. is a subsidiary of bwin.party digital entertainment plc. For more information, go to WorldPokerTour.com.
