WPT
The WPT have announced their plans for the rest of 2013, and it really is going to be global six months. With events covering North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, the World Poker Tour is really living up to it’s name.
The first of these will be in Europe, with the WPT Merit Cyprus Classic taking place between the 16th and 21st of August. Other notable events include Johannesburg, South Africa, Jeju, South Korea and the WPT Doyle Brunson Five Diamond Classic in Las Vegas.
A full copy of the event schedule can be found at the bottom of this article.
The WPT also announced good news for fans of Poker on television, as they have a new deal that guarantees the WPT a place on American TV until 2017.The FOX Sports Network’s Vice President of Programming, David Sussin said “We are thrilled to be partnering with World Poker Tour for the next three years. (The) World Poker Tour has delivered record viewers over the past two seasons, and that is a testament to the consistent quality of the show and WPT’s position as the world’s premiere provider of poker programming.”
These two announcements seem to indicate a decision to take the WPT brand global, something that seems to be confirmed by the WPT President Adam Pliska. “Our strategy of global expansion is now being fully realized,” He said,. “From 18 events in Season VIII to nearly 60 Main Tour, Regional, and National events in Season XI, World Poker Tour will provide FSN with nearly 100 hours of original programming over the course of this agreement. With the greater support and distribution that our new deal provides, World Poker Tour is now guaranteed to make up a major share of the best-in-class, US television poker real estate for years to come.”
The WPT has grown from 11 Events back in 2002/3, with most of them in and around Las Vegas, to nearly 60 for Season XII covering Europe, US, Canada, Asia and even Africa. The lower buy in Regional and National Tour events seem to have been a success, and with WPT Tournament Directors providing oversight for both the tournament structure and overall delivery, they are determined to maintain the quality.
“I’m very proud of the work we’ve done to grow the World Poker Tour over the past few seasons,” said WPT Executive Tour Director Matt Savage “With our new schedule and expanded global presence, it’s more important than ever to provide our partners and players with the best experience possible at every stop the WPT makes. I’m looking forward to working with both constituencies to make this happen and to continue our worldwide growth.”
WPT Main Event Tour Stops
WPT Season XII
WPT Regional & National Event Tour Stops
WPT Season XII
