WPT Enticing Players to Tournament of Champions With Added Value
The life of a poker player is one centered around seeking value, be it in a game, tournament or just a single poker hand. Knowing this, the World Poker Tour has worked to provide a heap of value for participants in the upcoming WPT Tournament of Champions.
After all, you're asking poker players to compete against a potentially elite field filled with past WPT champions. While plenty would be hungry to prove themselves against top competition, some are going to need a little prodding, and the WPT has provided that.
"This season’s WPT Tournament of Champions aims to be the biggest and best yet, with more than $300,000 in added value."
For starters, the WPT has ponied up $100,000 in added cash for the prize pool. That alone would be enough to entice some extra participation. The past couple of years since the Tournament of Champions came to fruition, fulfilling Mike Sexton's dream, there's been an average of 65 entries. That's more than $1,500 in equity for each player before factoring in edge or lack thereof against the field.
"WPT champions represent the game’s greatest players, and it is the World Poker Tour’s privilege to continue to honor the WPT Champions Club in tremendous fashion," said WPT CEO Adam Pliska. "The WPT Tournament of Champions is much more than just a poker tournament. It is a truly one-of-a-kind celebration that brings together the best of the best from all across the globe in the quest to be crowned the champion of champions."
All of the former champions who exercise the option to buy in add $15,000 into the pool as the buy-ins are rake-free.
Then, there's the added prizes. Every player participating will receive a gift bag with contents valued at more than $1,000. The winner will also pocket a luxurious Hublot watch and a JetSmarter membership valued at $50,000, allowing the player to travel the world in style via private flights.
The last two years, the TOC champ walked away with a new car as well. Daniel Weinman got the keys to an Audi S5 Coupe last year, and Farid Yachou laid claim to a Corvette in 2016.
In lieu of a car this year, the WPT is simply adding $50,000 on to the first-place prize.
Along with the estimated $381,000 for the winner, it's clear the WPT is investing heavily in making this unique event attractive to players.
"The World Poker Tour wants to honor our champions, and that is what we set out to do when we created the WPT Tournament of Champion," said Matt Savage, executive tour director of the WPT. "This season’s WPT Tournament of Champions aims to be the biggest and best yet, with more than $300,000 in added value."
"If we invest in the TOC, every tournament we have gains equity," he said. "We will continue to invest in this, and build this up."
Pliska credited event sponsors for helping juice up the prizes to be won at the event.
"This event would not be possible if it were not for the WPT’s wonderful partners and all of their significant contributions to the Season XVI WPT Tournament of Champions, as they have allowed the WPT to provide incredible value for our loyal players," he said.
Participation held constant for the first two years in Florida, but with the tournament heading to a new venue at ARIA that will segue smoothly right into the WSOP, it may be a little more attractive to some players who will be in town anyway.
The third running of the WPT Tournament of Champions gets rolling May 24 at ARIA with the three-day event scheduled to end with a bang in the Esports Arena Las Vegas. And if what Pliska said at a media forum at the 2017 TOC is any judge, expect the WPT to continue to lavish its former champs with a great event full of added value in future seasons.
"If we invest in the TOC, every tournament we have gains equity," he said. "We will continue to invest in this, and build this up."
Here's a look at how the TOC final tables have gone since its 2016 inception:
2017 WPT Tournament of Champions
Official Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Home Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Weinman | USA | $381,500* |
| 2 | Michael Mizrachi | USA | $218,000 |
| 3 | Daniel Santoro | USA | $133,525 |
| 4 | David Ormsby | Canada | $95,375 |
| 5 | Erik Seidel | USA | $73,575 |
| 6 | Dylan Wilkerson | USA | $57,225 |
*Does not include additional prizes from sponsors
2016 WPT Tournament of Champions
| Place | Player | Home Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farid Yachou | Netherlands | $381,600* |
| 2 | Vlad Darie | Romania | $224,190 |
| 3 | Michael Mizrachi | USA | $140,450 |
| 4 | Jonathan Jaffe | USA | $95,400 |
| 5 | Noah Schwartz | USA | $74,200 |
| 6 | Darren Elias | USA | $58,300 |
*Does not include additional prizes from sponsors
Body photo courtesy of WPT
