Los Angeles, CA (February 22, 2022) – The evolution of the World Poker Tour® continues with the launch of WPT® Prime, which pairs the premier poker tournament experience of a WPT Main Tour stop with affordable buy-ins accessible to more players around the globe.
Just like Main Tour players, WPT Prime players can expect action clocks, winner trophies, and in-depth event coverage from the WPT digital content team. WPT Prime Main Events will also contribute towards the WPT Player of the Year leaderboard, which will award $30,000 in prizes at the end of Season XX.
“Our continued efforts to improve the WPT live tournament experience will benefit more players than ever during Season XX,” said Cathy Zhao, who, as Senior Director of Global Tour Management, has overseen the development and implementation of the Prime product. “WPT Prime is the embodiment of our goal to provide the best possible poker tournament experience to players everywhere, and our strong relationships with our global partners will elevate the WPT experience around the world.”
The launch of WPT Prime means the retirement of the WPTDeepStacks™ brand, which began in 2014 and will officially sunset in mid-2022 following the conclusions of WPTDeepStacks Amsterdam, Sydney, and Thunder Valley.
WPT Prime debuts with a trio of events in Asia during 2022, bolstering its upcoming live tournament schedule in one of the hottest markets in the poker industry. Players from around the world will attend WPT Prime events in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Taiwan this year, highlighting a return to previously successful events across the continent.
“In celebration of our 20-year anniversary, we are thrilled to be able to deliver the high-quality WPT Prime experience in the Asia Pacific region,” said Angelica Hael, VP of Global Tour Management. “As we announce more of our Season XX events around the world after a tumultuous period, we are absolutely delighted to be back in Vietnam, Cambodia and Taiwan. Now that international borders are opening up, the incredible hospitality of Crown Poker Club, NagaWorld Integrated Resort and Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association will once again be on display for regional and global players.”
The first stop is in Vietnam, where players will compete at the Crown Poker Club in Hanoi from May 19 – 30*. The series is headlined by the VND25,000,000 ($1,100 USD) main event, a five-day tournament that will be held May 26 – 30.
The next event is in Cambodia, where WPT, in partnership with Connaissance Management Group, will host a series of tournaments at the prestigious NagaWorld Integrated Resort in Phnom Penh from August 11 – 23. The series will be marked by the $1,100 USD buy-in main event from August 18 – 22. WPT previously hosted the largest live poker tournament in the Kingdom of Cambodia in November 2019, where the prize pool of $727,500 nearly tripled its $250,000 guarantee.
The third WPT Prime event in Asia for 2022 will be held in Taiwan at the Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association (CTP) in Taipei from November 11 – 21. The TWD30,000 ($1,077 USD) buy-in main event takes place November 17 – 21.
In another exciting addition for WPT events in 2022, all WPT stops, both WPT Prime and WPT Main Tour, will feature a competition for Player of the Festival using a soon-to-be-announced proprietary scoring system. Each POF gets a trophy to signify their victory as well as additional prizes.
Additional WPT Prime events will be added to the Season XX schedule in the coming weeks and months. For more information, visit WPT.com.
*These dates are subject to the country fully opening up its borders to tourists.
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Lance Bradley
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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 19th season, which airs on Bally Sports in the United States. Season XIX of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.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 43 states and territories across the United States, Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom. WPT also participates in strategic brand license, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities. For more information, go to WPT.com.