World Poker Tour
History
In March 2003, the first episode of the World Poker Tour was broadcast and since then millions have watched the professionals battle it out on their TV screens. In fact, the huge increase in poker players since 2003 can to a large extent be attributed to the success of the WPT.
The Idea
The WPT was the brainchild of Steve Lipscomb who was determined to reinvent poker as an action-packed, televised sport - something that both the average person and the professional player would be interested in watching. His idea was the use of using 16 different cameras ("WPT-cams") to allow viewers unprecedented access to the player's cards and insight into their position and strategy.
The next step was to sign-up the best poker tournament casinos. Lipscomb guaranteed the casinos that they would broadcast a two-hour show covering the casino's tournament and featuring the casino at least twice. In return, it would cost the casino next to nothing to participate, with the only real condition being that they were to televise poker exclusively for the WPT.
They then brought in Mike Sexton (the “Ambassador of Poker”) and Vince Van Patten as hosts and commentators, plus former playmate Shana Hiatt to conduct interviews and reports from each event. The show was an instant hit – with millions of people learning from poker experts.
Tournaments
Similar to the annual World Series of Poker in Vegas, amateur players can enter WPT tournaments, with a "buy-in" of around $5,000 to $10,000 - or by winning online "satellite" tournaments where the entry fees are much lower. Once there are six players remaining the action then moves from the tournament room into the WPT Arena where the Final Table action continues in front of a live audience and television cameras.
In addition to the millions of dollars in tournament prize pools, the winners of WPT events also receive a $25,000 buy-in to the WPT Championship at the Bellagio, Las Vegas. Anyone who pays the $25,000 buy-in can enter this tournament where the WPT Champion will be crowned each April.
Winners
The first winner of the WPT Championship in 2003 was Alan Goehring who came out top of 134 entrants with the noteable scalps of Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey and Ted Forrest all of whom finished in the final six. By 2005 the number of entrants in the Championship tournament had already grown to 472 and included all the big names who also annually compete at the World Series of Poker.
Perhaps the most successful WPT player to date has been Gus Hansen who has already won 4 World Poker Tour events, and made seven final tables with his ultra-aggressive style. Daniel Negreanu is close behind with 2 wins and 5 final table appearances.
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