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December’s turf war
In previous years, I have written about the December Mexican Standoff between poker’s three biggest live brands, arguing that it was the World Series of Poker (WSOP) that was waging a turf war. That point is accentuated this year as the European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague stop has nudged itself ever so slightly earlier in the calendar, meaning that it is possible to go to the Czech capital before heading stateside for the Main Event of the World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championship at The Wynn.
Last year, the WSOP Paradise lost its company a small fortune.
Competition is healthy and poker operators have to battle, but they shouldn’t do so in a manner that willfully hurts the industry. Last year, the WSOP Paradise lost its company a small fortune. Between overlay, running costs, promotional spend, and lashing in a pile of players last-minute on a freeroll, that number could well have been eight figures.
Undeterred, the WSOP has increased its Main Event guarantee this year and the same fate, if not worse, will likely befall it, and for what? To hurt the EPT, which hit record-breaking numbers last year? To hurt the WPT, which prioritizes player experience above all else and whose event they actually help soften by pulling away all the online grinders and high roller beasts?
EPT Prague and WPT World Championship
Between 2012 and 2019, I never missed a Prague stop. More than just a poker trip, it was an annual vacation to a Winter Wonderland. I dined in the Clock Tower of Zvonice, walked around the Kafka Museum, and took photos on the Charles Bridge. I ate my weight in sausages and smoked cheese, washing it all down with mulled wine as I shopped for presents in the Christmas markets.
it is, bar none, the best venue in the world at which to play poker
In 2022, I attended the first-ever WPT World Championship and was blown away by the high standards on both the hospitality and poker sides of things. It was a difficult decision to skip Prague, one of my favorite cities in the world, but within a few days of being at The Wynn, I realized that it is, bar none, the best venue in the world at which to play poker. In sharp contrast to the WSOP, the floor staff and dealers are immaculately trained.
In 2023, I returned to Las Vegas, where once again, the WPT really rolled out the red carpet for all the players. I had some success on the felt, cashing in the record-breaking $10,400 Main Event. Last year, I spent another fortnight in the desert and had the additional pleasure of doing commentary for both the Prime and World Championship Main Events, alongside Jesse Sylvia, Jamie Kerstetter, and Ashley Frank.
Paradise
This year, the WPT World Championship Series has been extended to a three-week festival from December 2 to December 22. It has a jam-packed schedule of 78 tournaments, including multiple Omaha variants, Mixed Games, High Rollers, Seniors events, Ladies events, and plenty of satellites. Buy-ins will range from $600 to $25,800, plus there will be the culmination of the Club WPT Gold’s Mystery Quest – a $2m added 100-chip tournament which “starts off online and ends in Las Vegas.”
The highlights will be the $1,100 Prime Main Event and the prestigious $10,400 WPT World Championship. The Prime has a $5m guarantee, but, just like last year, I would expect the prize pool to be double that. It kicks off on Sunday, December 7, with the first of four Day 1 flights. The World Championship Main Event starts on December 13 and has three starting days. The final tables of the Prime and Main Event will take place on December 20 and 21, respectively.
With EPT Prague running December 3-14 and its Main Event taking place from the December 8-14, it is possible to make it over to Vegas in time for “the big one.” The WPT World Championship Main Event has the final of its three Day 1s on December 15. Put simply, anybody who does not make the final table in Prague can hop on a flight to Vegas on the 14th and play Day 1C the next day. I’ll be doing exactly that and I have spoken with a dozen players who are doing the same. Getting to play the two best-run events of 2025 back-to-back? That sounds like Paradise to me.
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