World Poker Tour
With your tour guide,
Anne P. Mitchell
| Summary: The World Poker Tour is made up of a series of Texas hold'em poker tournaments, in which the world's best professional players compete for the title of Player of the Year. The World Poker Tour is responsible for starting the current craze of poker-based television shows, including the tour itself and a host of spin off shows. |
The World Poker Tour is made up of a series of Texas hold’em poker tournaments, in which the world’s best professional players compete for the title of Player of the Year. The World Poker Tour is responsible for starting the current craze of poker-based television shows, including the tour itself and a host of spin off shows.
The first World Poker Tour began in the fall of 2002, culminating in the championship game at the famous Bellagio hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The tour was the brainchild of television producer Steven Lipscomb and casino guru Lyle Berman. The series was broadcast in the United States on the Travel Channel, and quickly became a favorite with viewers.
Tournaments are held most often in the United States, however there are many that are held internationally as well, and they are all part of the tour. Each open event awards points to the top seven players, and these points are accrued towards the Player of the Year title. Of course there is also cash awarded at each event. Amateur players can enter the open tournaments as well, as long as they pay the buy-in fee which can range from several thousand dollars to as much as $25,000.
The television broadcasts of the tour include tiny cameras set into the poker table itself, and these cameras are able to pick up the cards in each player’s hand. The viewing audience is not only entertained, but also learns tricks and strategies from the world’s best poker players first hand.
After the success of the inaugural season of the World Poker Tour, many other poker series’ began appearing on other networks. The World Series of Poker, The Professional Poker Tour, Celebrity Poker Showdown, and many other shows have all sprung up in hopes of getting in on the lucrative poker business. Products such as branded poker sets and chips, playing cards, clothing, video games, and many other items are also hot sellers year after year.
The World Poker Tour is still airing on the Travel Channel on Wednesday nights. There is also a women’s tour, which is also televised. The main tour remains one of the most popular shows on cable, and their audience grows with each season.
If you are interested in getting tickets to the tournament, or booking travel to follow the tournament around the country, start with the World Poker Tour website.
If you’re a poker fan, or would like to learn more about the game, check out The World Poker Tour on television. It’s a great way to get some exposure to the game and marvel at the skill of the world’s best poker players.
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