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Los Angeles, CA (March 23, 2017) – World Poker Tour® today announced the first ever hosting of a WPT500 event in California. WPT500 Los Angeles takes place May 21-31, 2017, at The Gardens and boasts a $1 million guaranteed prize pool.
WPT500 Los Angeles has 14 starting flights, a buy-in of $565, and features the Action Clock by Protection Poker. The Action Clock by Protection Poker will be implemented once the field is down to 54 players on Day 2.
Participating players will be allowed reentry through the first eight levels, and the “best stack forward” format will be used. Players are allowed to play multiple Day 1s in an attempt to qualify for Day 2 with a larger chip stack than previously earned, and those qualifying for Day 2 with multiple stacks will take their best stack forward and forfeit all other chip stacks.
“We are excited to welcome the World Poker Tour to The Gardens Casino for WPT500 Los Angeles,” said Ron Sarabi, Casino General Manager, The Gardens. “With a $1 million guaranteed prize pool at an accessible price point of $565, WPT500 Los Angeles is the perfect main event for The Gardens Poker Festival and a must-attend tournament for all players.”
“The World Poker Tour couldn’t be happier to partner with The Gardens Casino to bring the WPT500 to California for the very first time,” said Angelica Hael, WPT VP of Global Tour Management. “The WPT500 is a tremendous addition to the state’s robust and vibrant poker landscape, and Memorial Day Weekend in Los Angeles is the perfect time and place to host this historic event. With fantastic onsite amenities, a world-class poker room, and genuine hospitality from The Gardens team, the World Poker Tour is very excited about hosting the first-ever WPT500 in California.”
The first four starting flights take place May 21-24, with one flight per day starting at 11 a.m. PT. From May 25-29, 10 additional starting flights will take place, with two per day. The first will start at 11 a.m. PT, and the second will start at 5 p.m. PT, with a more fast-paced structure.
Each starting flight will play down to eight percent of its field, and all advancing players will return to action for Day 2 on Tuesday, May 30 to play to the final table.
The final table of the event will take place on Wednesday, May 31 and be live streamed globally.
The Gardens will host several satellites for WPT500 Los Angeles. Players will be able to qualify for WPT500 Los Angeles for as low as $65 through a number of satellites on The Gardens Poker Festival schedule, with 40 guaranteed seats up for grabs.
WPT500 Los Angeles is part of The Gardens Poker Festival that runs May 15-31, 2017, at The Gardens. For more information, visit WPT.com.
WPT Media Contact
Donnie Peters – [email protected]
About The Gardens Casino
Known as the “friendliest card club” in the Los Angeles area, The Gardens Casino has been one of LA’s premier card clubs for more than 19 years. The new state-of-the-art venue offers guests over 300 tables, luxury VIP amenities as well as a premium casual restaurant and an upscale bar and lounge. The Gardens Casino has been integral to the Hawaiian Gardens community, supporting the city with jobs and economic contributions. For more information on The Gardens Casino, visit www.thegardenscasino.com.
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 15th season, which airs on FOX Sports Regional Networks in the United States. Season XV of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.com and PlayWPT.com. ClubWPT.com is 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. PlayWPT.com is a social gaming platform offering free-to-play poker and slots with innovative features and state-of-the-art creative elements inspired by WPT’s 15 years of experience in gaming entertainment. WPT also 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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