What Happened WPT Poker?

What Happened to WPT Poker?

If you’re a fan of poker, you’ve likely heard of the World Poker Tour (WPT). The WPT is one of the most prestigious poker tournaments in the world and has been running for over 15 years.

However, in recent years, the WPT has undergone some major changes. In this article, we’ll take a look at what happened to WPT Poker and what it means for the future of poker.

The Beginning of WPT Poker

The World Poker Tour was founded in 2002 by Steven Lipscomb. The first season aired on television in 2003 and featured five events.

Over the years, the WPT grew in size and popularity, with more events added to the schedule each year. The tournament also attracted some of the biggest names in poker, including Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and Doyle Brunson.

The Boom Years

The mid-2000s were a golden era for poker. The game was exploding in popularity thanks to the rise of online poker sites like PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.

This popularity spilled over into live tournaments like the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour. In 2006, Jamie Gold won $12 million at the WSOP Main Event, cementing poker’s place in popular culture.

PRO TIP:WPT Poker was a popular online poker platform that closed in 2020. To ensure that you don’t lose your funds on the platform, players are advised to withdraw their funds as soon as possible. It is also advised to check the WPT Poker website for updates on any changes related to account closures and withdrawals.

During this time, the WPT was thriving. It continued to attract large fields and big-name players. The tour also expanded globally with events held in Europe and Asia.

Decline and Sale

However, by 2010, things were starting to change. The online poker industry was hit hard by Black Friday – a crackdown by US authorities on illegal online gambling sites – which saw many players lose their bankrolls overnight. This had a knock-on effect on live tournaments like the WPT which saw a decline in player numbers.

In 2015, PartyGaming – parent company of online poker site PartyPoker – acquired the World Poker Tour for $12.3 million. This move was seen as a way to help PartyPoker reclaim its place as one of the top online poker sites after several years of decline.

The Future of WPT Poker

Since the acquisition, PartyGaming has made some changes to the WPT. The tour now focuses more on televised events and has reduced the number of events held each year. However, it still attracts large fields and big-name players.

In 2018, the World Poker Tour announced a partnership with Allied Esports – a company that operates esports arenas around the world. This partnership sees the WPT create an esports format where players compete in video game versions of traditional casino games.

Conclusion

The World Poker Tour has undergone significant changes over the years. While it may not be as dominant as it once was, it still holds a place in the hearts of poker fans around the world. With new partnerships and innovations, there’s no telling what the future holds for WPT Poker.

Key Takeaways:

  • The World Poker Tour was founded in 2002 by Steven Lipscomb
  • The mid-2000s were a golden era for poker and live tournaments like the WPT
  • Black Friday had a negative impact on both online and live poker
  • PartyGaming acquired the World Poker Tour in 2015
  • The WPT now focuses more on televised events and has reduced its number of live events
  • The World Poker Tour has partnered with Allied Esports to create an esports format.