The Europe-bet.com-sponsored WPT National Georgia, a more than five month-long project, is in the books, and your champion is Levan Shamatava. After approximately 14 hours of play at the final table, Shamatava earned the $40,460 paycheck, the crystal trophy, and the title of the first ever WPT National champion in Georgia. Levan Iselidze finished in second place, earning $28,360.
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Prize |
| 1 | Levan Shamatava | Georgia | $ 40,460 |
| 2 | Levan Iselidze | Georgia | $ 28,360 |
| 3 | Enver Khvitia | Georgia | $ 18,240 |
| 4 | Anzor Baladze | Georgia | $ 13,500 |
| 5 | Andreas Lobganidze | Russia | $ 10,140 |
| 6 | Vazha Kometiani | Georgia | $ 8,100 |
| 7 | Levan Rozomashvili | Georgia | $ 6,735 |
| 8 | Arturs Daugis | Latvia | $ 5,400 |
The $1,000 buy-in WPT National Main Event attracted 187 entries, nearly doubling $100,000 guarantee. As it was a National event, the majority of players were local to the Caucasus region. Many European players also made the trip from Germany, Portugal, England, Poland, and Norway, as well as some Northern Americans (Canada) and Asians (India).
The side events at the festival were very successful, and both Europe-bet.com and Poker Club Management were thrilled to see the club so busy with cash games and tournaments performing so well.
Location
Georgia showed its hospitality, starting at the airport where every player received a bottle of wine upon arrival. The co-branded Europe-bet.com Poker Room is conveniently situated in the heart of Tbilisi, within walking distance of many famous sightseeing spots. The room takes up a majority of a Soviet Union-style building, with luxurious, bright and spacious halls. Right in the middle of the room, there was a pedestal with all of the trophies, creating a sport-competition atmosphere.
Europe-bet.com prepared few surprises for the Main Event players. At the beginning of the Day 1A, players were welcomed to taste local specialties: cheese and wine. On the way out of the tournament room, participants received free swag bags, containing co-branded t-shirts, hoodies, caps, sun glasses, and patches.
The player’s lounge was created on the underground floor, right below the poker room. It featured both dining and an entertainment area with a separate bar, comfortable chairs, buffets, darts, table football, and Kinect. Dinner brakes and evenings were the busiest times in there.
- Europe-bet Promotional Girls
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- Tournament Area
- Live Stream Set Up
- Masseuse
- Table Football
- Entertainment Area
On Saturday night, players were invited to one of the most central and well-known nightlife locations of Tbilisi, lounge-bar “El Centro.” There was a VIP area with free drinks, fruits, and deserts waiting for them. A DJ, live music band, and dancers entertained the crowd.
Partners from Europe-bet.com also organized the live stream of the Main Event. An Austrian production company, “5 Stars Events,” supplied the equipment. The final table featured commentary in three languages: Georgian, English, and Russian. As the final table had mainly local Georgian players, there were many spectators on the rail rooting for their friends.