Contest Cash: WPT Fans Have Shot to Grab 10% on Tony Dunst’s LAPC Winnings

By Sean Chaffin

The cards are in the air at the Season XVIII WPT L.A. Poker Classic and poker players and fans not even making the flight to Los Angeles have a shot to get in the money. The WPT is offering fans a shot at 10 percent of Tony Dunst’s (pictured) winnings at the event.

With David Baker taking the title in Season XVII for just over $1 million, that offers the potential of up to a $100,000 payday for one lucky player. To enter the contest, fans simply have to do the do the following: 

• Follow @WorldPokerTour and @TonyDunstTV on Instagram. 
• Like the WPT giveaway post.
• Tag a friend on the giveaway post

Entry will still be available as the action continues throughout the LAPC. A winner will be announced afterward if Dunst makes it into the money. If Dunst can secure a final table appearance at HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas on April 2, the winner would be announced after his action is concluded. Anyone looking to register can do so here. 

A deep run will certainly offer some extra sweat for those who enter the contest. Dunst has already made one trip to a final table at HyperX. In Season XVII, he took runner-up in the WPT Baccarat Crystal Tournament of Champions for $250,265. A return appearance would certainly be nice for not only himself, but also the contest winner.

“There was certainly some really good engagement on social media from the promotion,” Dunst says. “Any time you give away free value, free money, free equities, and percentages, it ends up being really popular. And I love that we did it for this event because this is such a cool event to follow along with.”

Despite the contest, the WPT Champions Club member isn’t feeling any extra pressure.

“I always just want to play my very best game in these huge events,” Dunst says. “This is one of the most prestigious, highest-stakes events left on the entire circuit, and it’s a freezeout as well. So I just get up for stuff like this.”

Entry into the LAPC was also a nice story for the WPT commentator. He fired two bullets in qualifiers at the Gardens and snagged a WPT Passport. A $10,000 buy-in for only $2,200? Not a bad return on investment.

As players made their way into the tournament area for Day 1, Dunst was in good spirits and ready to play.

“I feel excellent,” he says. “I got a lot of sleep last night, I’ve been playing a bunch of poker, and I’ve been studying a lot. I feel about as good as I can.”

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer in Crandall, Texas, and his work appears in numerous websites and publications. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions.