The World Poker Tour has some of the biggest players and payouts on the planet and nothing seems to be slowing this mighty juggernaut of a company as it begins to pick up speed for the upcoming year. It is once again setting the bar high for all poker television shows by generating some of the biggest prize pools in the world. For Season V, the prize pool total is expected to reach over $250 million.
Well-known for its tour stops at some of the most beautiful poker venues in the world, the poker powerhouse is adding two additional stops its tour line-up for this season. The latest additions to the World Poker Tour, the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and a second stop at Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut should draw excellent player participation numbers and further solidifies WPT reputation as the premier poker television show around the world.
Although the Tour has major stops in Las Vegas already, with tournaments at the Mirage and the immensely popular Bellagio Hotel, the company felt that furthering solidifying its relationship with MGM Grand (the owner of the Mirage, Mandalay Bay, and the Bellagio) is a big key to the company's future success.
In addition to a new stop at Mandalay Bay, the WPT is once again working with the excellent staff at Foxwoods to bring poker back to the northeast with the Foxwoods Poker Classic. After hosting the biggest tournament of the year, the 2005 World Poker Finals, Foxwoods is set to capitalize on its fall success with the Foxwoods Poker Classic. The show will tape the April action and is looking to feature what might become the largest turnout of players expected in World Poker Tour history.
With the addition of these two new stops on the tour, the WPT had to make room by dissolving its tournament broadcast partnership with online poker sites, Party Poker and Ultimatebet, as previously reported here.
The North American Poker Championship is scheduled for October 23-27, with one minor change. The name of poker legend Doyle Brunson is currently not associated with this event in 2006.
"Plans are up in the air with regards to Doyle Brunson," said WPTE spokesperson Jackie Lapin. "We intend to continue to honor Doyle in some fashion with an alternative event."
World Poker Tour Season V Tournament Schedule
The Mirage Poker Showdown - The Mirage, Las Vegas - May 14 - 17
Mandalay Bay Championship - Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas - June 4 - 8
Grand Prix de Paris - Aviation Club, Paris - June 12 - 16
Legends of Poker - The Bicycle Casino - August 26 - 30
Borgata Poker Open - The Borgata, Atlantic City - Sept 15 - 19
North American Poker Championship - TBA - Oct 23 -27
World Poker Finals - Foxwoods Resort Casino - Nov 11 - 16
Bellagio FiveDiamond Classic - Bellagio, Las Vegas - Dec 15 - 19
2007 Events
PokerStars Caribbean Adventure - Bahamas - Jan 6 - 13
(dates tentative)
World Poker Open - Gold Strike Casino, Tunica, MS - January 21 - 25
L.A. Poker Classic - Commerce Casino, Commerce, CA - February 15 - 20
WPT Invitational - Commerce Casino - February 21 - 23
Bay 101 Shooting Star - San Jose, CA - Feb 27 - Mar 3
World Poker Challenge - Reno Hilton, Reno, NV - March 26 - 29
WPT World Championship - Bellagio, Las Vegas - April 21 - 27
Two additional tournaments to be confirmed at a later date.
Ed note: Vince Van Patten of the World Poker Tour plays at Hollywood Poker
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