The World Poker Tour is a series of televised Texas hold ‘em tournaments that take place all over the world, but are mainly held in the United States. It began in 2002, and was created by Steven Lipscomb. The winners of the events all win bracelets, just as event winners in the World Series of Poker do.
The World Poker Tour is the most watched poker program in the world. It is hosted by World Series of Poker winner Mike Sexton and his co-host, actor Vince Van Patten. There is a third host and sideline reporter that interviews players when they bust out of the tournament. This sideline reporter role has been filled by a string of beauties. The most famous was former Playboy Playmate, Shana Hiatt, who was the sideline reporter for the first three seasons. She took the knowledge she acquired and is now a successful online poker player.
The first five seasons of the World Poker Tour were aired on the Travel Channel. It then moved to the Game Show Network for the sixth season, and from the next year up until the current date it has aired on Fox Sports Net.
The cost to enter a World Poker Tour event is anywhere from $2,500 to $25,000, with most event buy-ins being around $10,000. This is a large buy-in, but numerous satellite events exist, including both online and live satellite events. The tour culminates with the World Poker Tour Championship at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. This is a two-week series of tournaments that has a number of different types of poker played, which is very similar to the World Series of Poker. The Main Event of the World Poker Tour Championship lasts six days and has a $25,000 buy-in. The most recent winner, David Williams, took home over $1.5 million.
In addition to the cash prizes given out at World Poker Tour events, points are awarded. These points are added up at the end of the year, and the player with the most points is named the World Poker Tour Player of the Year. This winner earns a highly prestigious entry to the National Heads-Up Poker Championship that is televised on NBC.
Latest World Poker Tour News
World Poker Tour Legends of Poker: Little Fizzles on Day Four, Frankenberger Leads WPT Final TableJonathan Little started Day 4 of the World Poker Tour Legends of Poker Main Event with a big stack and high hopes of winning his third WPT title. But it wasn't to be for...
World Poker Tour Legends of Poker: Little Takes Chips and Headlines from Collins as He Goes for WPT Title #3Day 2 of the World Poker Tour Legends of Poker Main Event was all about Phil Collins, but it was Jonathan Little who dominated Day 3 at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles. Little did more than his share of the eliminating to help narrow the field...
Phil Collins Rocks the Bike on WPT Legends of Poker Day 2It was the Phil "USCphildo" Collins show on Day 2 of the World Poker Tour's Legends of Poker Main Event. Collins battled back from short stack to chip leader at the end of a marathon day of poker at California's Bicycle Casino. Joining him at the...
World Poker Tour Marrakech: Nitsche Finds Meaning on Day 2; Homann Leads Final NineGermans Sebastien Homann and Dominik Nitsche lead the unofficial final table heading into Day 3 of World Poker Tour Marrakech presented by Chilipoker.
World Poker Tour Marrakech, Day 1b: Benyamine, "ElkY," and Liz Lieu Come Up ShortDay 1B of the World Poker Tour Marrackech, presented by Chilipoker is in the books and the biggest name did not quite have the days they had hoped for.