In less than a week, all roads will lead to Hanoi, Vietnam for the second World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime festival in the capital city. For the first time, the globally renowned brand will stage a two-week event in the region. An ambitious VN₫ 28,500,000,000 (~US$ 1.2 Million) in prize pools is guaranteed. This is the first time an amount of this magnitude has been announced by the WPT in Asia. In addition, 76 seats are guaranteed to select key events. Games take place from May 16 to 29 at the Crown Poker Club. Mark the dates!
“WPT Prime Vietnam holds a certain significance because it marked our first-ever Prime festival as the tour was revamped in 2022.” said WPT CEO Adam Pliska. “We look forward to the upcoming festival at Crown Poker Club and plan to share a special announcement during the main event, pertaining to the continued progress of our Prime Tour.”
WPT Prime Vietnam is the seventh Prime Tour stop of Season XXI. The festival features a packed lineup of 38 trophy events. The highlight is undoubtedly the VN₫ 12 Billion (~US$ 511,200) guaranteed MAIN EVENT which kicks off on May 25 and runs until May 29. This is a significant increase from last year’s VN₫ 8BN guarantee. The final table will be broadcast live by ShareHand, allowing fans to follow the action as it unfolds.
To add more spice, the eventual winner will not only lock up the largest cut of the prize pool but will also receive a US$ 10,400 ticket to the upcoming WPT World Championships at the Wynn in Las Vegas this December. WPT value adds airfare and accommodations.
WPT PRIME VIETNAM PLAYER GUIDE
Among the players certain to attend is India’s Zarvan Tumboli who was crowned the first ever WPT Prime Main Event champion. Tumboli walked away with a career high payout of VN₫ 3,050,000,000 (~US$ 131,394). Other WPT champions are also expected such as Dhaval Mudgal, Ashish Munot, and Vincent Chauve.
Main Event info
Dates: May 25 to 29, 2023
Buy in: VN₫ 25,000,000 (~US$ 1,065)
Guarantee: VN₫ 12,000,000,000 (~US$ 511,200)
Day 1A: Thursday, May 25, 2023
Day 1B: Friday, May 26, 2023
Day 1C: Saturday, May 27, 2023
For players hoping to get in the Main Event at a discount can try to win a seat via any of the satellites. Buy in is just VN₫ 4,000,000 (~US$ 170).
| Event | Seats Guaranteed | Buy in VN₫ | Date |
| Main Event Satellite | 3 | 4,000,000 | May 23 |
| Main Event Mega Satellite – Milestone Format | 10 | 4,000,000 | May 24 |
| Main Event Satellite | 2 | 4,000,000 | May 24 |
| Feeder to Mega Satellite | 5 | 800,000 | May 24 |
| Main Event Satellite | 2 | 4,000,000 | May 25 |
| Main Event Satellite | 5 | 4,000,000 | May 25 |
| Main Event Satellite | 2 | 4,000,000 | May 26 |
| Main Event Satellite | 5 | 4,000,000 | May 26 |
| Main Event Satellite | 2 | 4,000,000 | May 27 |
High Roller Events
In addition to the Main Event are numerous key events of varying buy ins and guarantees. For the upper crust, six high roller events are scheduled. Carrying the highest price tag is the Billionaire Club High Stakes Challenge (Multiple Re-Entry). This is the newest item on the menu and is sure to attract the region’s poker elite. Buy in is a huge VN₫ 210,000,000 (~US$ 8,950), nearly twice the cost of the 100M Super High Roller event.
| Event | Guarantee | Buy in VN₫ | Date |
| Single Day High Roller | 55,000,000 | May 16 | |
|
Billionaire Club High Stakes Challenge
|
210,000,000 | May 19 | |
|
Megastack Single Day High Roller
|
77,000,000 | May 21 | |
| High Roller Warm Up | 2,000,000,000 | 55,000,000 | May 24-25 |
| 100M Super High Roller | 2,500,000,000 | 107,000,000 | May 25-26 |
| High Roller Warm Up | 4,000,000,000 | 66,000,000 | May 28-29 |
Middle to Low Tier Key Events
On the more affordable side is a long list of trophy events with buy ins from VN₫ 3,300,000 (~US$ 140) to VN₫ 16,500,000 (~US$ 700). A wide variety of NLH formats is offered such as freezeouts, deep stack events, bounty events, and turbos. Listed below are key events featuring guaranteed prize pools. Satellites are also listed for select events.
| Event | Guarantee | Buy in VN₫ | Date |
| WPT Opener | 2,000,000,000 | 8,800,000 | May 16-18 |
| Mystery Bounty | 3,000,000,000 | 11,000,000 | May 18-21 |
| 8 Max ME | 2,000,000,000 | 16,500,000 | May 22-24 |
| WPT Superstack Closer | 1,000,000,000 | 8,800,000 | May 29 |
Satellites to Select Events
| Event | Seats Guaranteed | Buy in VN₫ | Date |
| Opener Satellite | 3 | 1,100,000 | May 16 |
| Opener Satellite | 2 | 1,100,000 | May 16 |
| Opener Satellite | 3 | 1,100,000 | May 17 |
| Opener Satellite | 2 | 1,100,000 | May 17 |
| Mystery Bounty Satellite | 2 | 2,050,000 | May 18 |
| Mystery Bounty Satellite | 2 | 2,050,000 | May 18 |
| Mystery Bounty Satellite | 3 | 2,050,000 | May 19 |
| Mystery Bounty Satellite | 2 | 1,100,000 | May 19 |
| Mystery Bounty Satellite | 3 | 1,100,000 | May 20 |
| Superstack Satellite | 2 | 880,000 | May 20 |
| Superstack Satellite | 3 | 880,000 | May 21 |
| 8 Max ME Warm Up Satellite | 2 | 2,300,000 | May 22 |
| 8 Max ME Warm Up Satellite | 2 | 2,300,000 | May 22 |
| 8 Max ME Warm Up Satellite | 2 | 2,300,000 | May 23 |
| High Roller Satellite | 1 | 1,100,000 | May 27 |
| Superstack Classic Satellite | 3 | 1,100,000 | May 28 |
| Closer Satellite | 3 | 770,000 | May 29 |
Other Variants and New Events
The schedule also ensures enjoyment for players seeking other variants and new challenges. For Omaha enthusiasts, three are scheduled. For Short Deck fans, one is scheduled. WPT Prime Vietnam will introduce a WPT Ladies Event and a Tag Team Freezeout.
| Event | Buy in VN₫ | Date |
| 15/15/15 PLO(Multiple Re-Entry) | 3,300,000 | May 18 |
| PLO (Multiple Re-Entry) | 4,400,000 | May 21 |
| WPT Ladies Event | 3,300,000 | May 22 |
| Short Deck | 6,600,000 | May 23 |
| PLO 2 Day Event | 16,500,000 | May 25-26 |
| Tag Team Freezeout | 6,600,000 | May 27 |
WPT PRIME VIETNAM PLAYER GUIDE
FULL SCHEDULE
Early Bird Packages
With opening day fast approaching players can take advantage of the Early Bird Packages. These are hot items so make sure to secure yours before May 14.
WPT Player of the Festival
At the conclusion of the series, the player with the highest number of points accrued will be crowned WPT Player of the Festival. For the achievement, the winner will receive a WPT Passport worth up to US$ 5,000 for a Main Tour entry of their choice in 2023.
Tourist info
For players visiting Hanoi for the first time, it is one of the most charming cities in Southeast Asia. Aside from poker, players can immerse in the richness of the culture and influences of French colonialism as showcased by the city’s architecture. Touring temples and night markets are also fun for first timers. For the more adventurous, an overnight tour in a junket on Halong Bay is recommended.
Country currency is the Vietnamese Dong. International players can exchange currency at the airport. There are also numerous exchange counters around the city including a bank in the same building as Crown Poker Club
Tricia David
Tricia David has long experience as a recreational poker player and has been covering poker events since 2010 for numerous outfits in Asia. She spent one year working part time with Poker Portal Asia then became editor and lead writer for all event coverage of the Philippine Poker Tour (PPT). Under the PPT, she overlooked content for their website, and produced live updates on all their events. In addition, she served as the live and online events website content writer for the Asian Poker Tour. Currently, she does live events reporting in Asia for online news site Somuchpoker and is also one of their news contributors.
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