The globally renowned World Poker Tour is getting ready for a very busy Asia Pacific Season 18. The brand confirmed 8 events in the region with two new destinations, WPT Australia and WPT Taiwan. The season will also see the much-awaited return to the Philippines after a three-year absence.
Talking about the upcoming Asia Pacific Season, Angelica Hael, VP of Global Tour Management for the World Poker Tour said:
“On the eve of Season XVIII, the World Poker Tour is excited to visit new destinations in Asia-Pacific as well as return to familiar poker hotbeds. We thank our players and casino partners once again for all of their support and look forward to seeing the continued representation of countries from all corners of the globe in WPT APAC events.”
So bust out your calendars. It is time to mark down the dates below.
WPT Vietnam – September 3-11, 2019
The first stop of the new season is WPT Vietnam taking place from September 3 to 11 at Pro Poker Club in Ho Chi Minh City. The event comes with a very ambitious VND 15,000,000,000 (~US$ 641,000) guarantee. The Main Event will be quite special. It features a structure that is usually reserved for the main tour. Buy-in is VND 55,000,000 (~US$ 2,400), the largest buy-in of the WPT Asia Pacific season. The Main Event runs from September 6 to 11.
WPT Japan – September 14-16, 2019
After a couple of breather days, it is back on the beat for the tour’s next stop – WPT Japan. The three-day festival takes place from September 14 to 16. This will be their third visit to the country however it will be their first at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo. Main Event buy-in is JPY 30,000 (~US$ 280).
WPT Korea – September 17-23, 2019
The month of September continues to be very busy for the tour. After WPT Japan it’s WPT Korea These events run back-to-back. Last season, this schedule was tried, tested, and proven to be very successful with Korea just a short flight from Japan. WPT Korea opens on September 17 at Paradise Casino in Incheon. It covers a total of seven days to conclude on September 23. The Main Event fills up the latter four days, scheduled from September 20 to 23. Buy-in is KRW 1,650,000 (~US$ 1,400).
WPT Australia – September 27 – October 7, 2019
For the first-time in history, the prestigious brand heads to the land down under. WPT Australia takes place from September 27 to October 7 at the iconic The Star Gold Coast in Queensland. This is one of the country’s top tourist destinations. According to the official announcement in late-May, there are 10 events scheduled with buy-ins ranging from A$330 to A$5,000. The Main Event runs from October 4 to 7. Buy-in is A$2,500 (~US$ 1,700).
Angelica Hael, VP of Global Tour Management for the World Poker Tour said, “The World Poker Tour is proud to add WPT Australia to our roster of wonderful global events and The Star Gold Coast as a casino partner. As a native Australian, I am thrilled to have a WPT event take place in my home country and even more pleased to have it hosted at such a wonderful property.”
More: WPT® ANNOUNCES WPT AUSTRALIA EVENT
WPT India – October 15 – 21, 2019
The fifth leg sees the tour return to Goa for the third time. WPT India runs a total of seven days, from October 15 to 21, at Deltin Royale Casino Goa. The Main Event is slated for October 18 to 21 with a buy-in of INR 55,000 (~US$ 800). This stop consistently attracts a large turnout. Season 16 saw 527 entries while Season 17 drew an Asian tour record 697 entries.
WPT Philippines – February 6 – 17, 2020
For the past two years, rumors of the tour returning to the Philippines spread around the Asian community. It is now confirmed. WPT will host the much-anticipated festival from February 6 to 17 at Okada Manila. It is not their first visit to the country but it is the tour’s first at the luxurious establishment. The Main Event takes place from February 14 to 17 with a buy-in of PHP 80,000 (~US$ 1,500).
WPT Vietnam – March 13 – 22, 2020
Also confirmed, Asia Pacific Season 18 will see the tour host a second event in Ho Chi Minh City. WPT Vietnam returns to the country’s most popular poker venue, Pro Poker Club, from March 13 to 22. The Main Event comes with a VND 8,000,000,000 (~US$ 342,000) guarantee. Buy-in is VND 25,000,000 (~US$ 1,100). Last season saw Frenchman Vincent Chauve claim the victory which also earned him enough points to win the WPT Asia Pacific Player of the Year title.
WPT Taiwan – March 27 – April 6, 2020
For the past two years, Taiwan has shaped up to be the hottest new destination in the Asian region that it was just a matter of time a global brand would enter the market. Mark your calendars for this upcoming WPT event. Initially scheduled for July 2018, WPT Taiwan now takes place from March 27 to April 6 at the highly popular Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association (CTP). The Main Event is on April 1 to 5 with a buy-in of TWD 30,000 (~US$ 960).
Article by Tricia David
Louis Hartwell
Graduated in Media Communication at the University of Lausanne, Louis Hartman is a co-founder of somuchpoker.com. He began his career in Cambodia as freelance journalist. In same time he was making his living by playing poker every night at that time. Intense learner, he read dozens of poker strategy books to improve his skills during many years. With a strong interest about poker "behind the scene" in Asia and his communication skills, Louis launched Somuchpoker in 2014.
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