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Los Angeles, CA (February 26, 2016) – World Poker Tour® was honored thrice on Thursday evening at the 2016 American Poker Awards, as Poker Hall of Famer and WPT® Commentator Mike Sexton was presented with the APA Lifetime Achievement Award, WPT Executive Tour Director Matt Savage was named the APA Industry Person of the Year, and the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown was voted the Event of the Year with a buy-in of $2,000 or more.
Alongside his partner Vince Van Patten, Sexton has served as co-commentator of the World Poker Tour since the very first episode. A bracelet winner with lifetime earnings in excess of $5.8 million, Sexton was elected to the Poker Hall of Fame in 2009 for his contributions both on and off of the felt.
“Mike Sexton is not only a poker icon, but a central figure in the success and endurance of the World Poker Tour,” said WPT President and CEO Adam Pliska. “I cannot think of a more deserving person, and I join the entire WPT Family in celebrating this milestone in Mike’s career.”
Alongside Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and Dave Lamb, Matt Savage co-founded the Poker Tournament Directors Association, creating a standard set of rules that can be applied to all tournaments. As WPT Executive Tour Director, Matt plays a key role in communicating with players and devising industry-leading tournament and prize pool structures.
Pliska adds, “Few people have done more on a consistent basis than Matt Savage has to improve the poker industry. This year’s recognition of Matt is a representation of the appreciation felt by the entire community for his great work and dedication, and we are proud that he is an essential part of the WPT Family.”
For five consecutive years, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL has played host to the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown. In 2015, the event attracted 1,476 entries, making it the second-largest Main Tour event in World Poker Tour history, and Griffin Paul earned $1 million for the win.
“Home to the largest Main Tour event in World Poker Tour history, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino typifies the great casino destinations that have helped enhance the WPT,” said Pliska. “We celebrate the success of our friends and partners at Seminole Hard Rock, and we eagerly await the upcoming WPT Tournament of Champions this April in South Florida.”
In addition to these three awards, Season XIII Hublot WPT Player of the Year Anthony Zinno won the Tournament Performance of the Year award for his victory at the WPT L.A. Poker Classic, where he topped a field of 538 players to win more than $1 million.
The Season XIV WPT L.A. Poker Classic kicks off on Saturday at 12 pm PT. Satellites are still running at Commerce Casino, and fans can follow live updates on WPT.com.
Photo courtesy of Revolutionpix.
WPT Media Contact
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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 more than 150 countries and territories, and is currently producing its 14th season, which airs on FSN in the United States. Season XIV of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.com, a unique online membership site that offers inside access to the WPT, as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club available in 35 states across the United States. ClubWPT.com also sponsors Season 2 of the new WPT Alpha8 series of super-high roller poker tournaments which is currently in production and which airs on FOX Sports 1 in the United States. WPT participates in strategic brand license, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities. WPT Enterprises Inc. is a subsidiary of Ourgame International Holdings, Ltd. For more information, go to WPT.com.
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