December: The New Battleground for Global Live Poker Supremacy

For decades, December was the quietest month on the live poker calendar, a time for players to rest, celebrate the holidays, and recharge. That era is officially over. Since 2022, the final month of the year has transformed into a high-stakes arena, with three of the world’s biggest poker brands clashing in a three-week window.

The “Battle for December” has reshaped the industry, offering players unprecedented choices between the Caribbean, Las Vegas, and Europe. Here is a look at the three giants defining this new era.

WSOP Paradise: The Record-Breaking Aggressor

• Dates: December 4–18, 2025
• Key Highlight: A Historic $60 Million Guarantee

Backed by GGPoker, WSOP Paradise is easily the most aggressive challenger in the winter slot. After successfully disrupting the market in 2024 with a $50 million promise, the festival has doubled down for 2025. The headline $25,000 Super Main Event now boasts a staggering $60 million guarantee, the most significant single prize pool promise in poker history.

Held in the Bahamas, this series leverages star power – including GGPoker ambassador Daniel Negreanu – and deep ties to Triton Poker to attract high rollers and recreational players alike. It is a bold statement of intent: WSOP Paradise isn’t just participating in December; it aims to dominate it.

EPT Prague: The Unshakeable “Winter Fortress”

Dates: December 3–14, 2025
Key Highlight: Consistent Growth Without the Need for Guarantees

While others fight with massive numbers, the European Poker Tour (EPT) in Prague relies on nearly two decades of tradition. Known as the “Winter Fortress”, EPT Prague has insulated itself from the turf war through sheer consistency and its ideal geographic location.

Unlike its rivals, EPT Prague does not need to post headline-grabbing guarantees to fill seats. Since returning from the pandemic, the Main Event has broken attendance records every single year. Its earlier schedule (finishing by Dec 14) also offers a strategic advantage: European players can grind the EPT Main Event and still hop on a plane to catch the tail end of the action in Vegas or the Bahamas.

WPT World Championship: Betting on Brand Power

Dates: December 2–22, 2025
Key Highlight: Pure Organic Demand at the Wynn

The World Poker Tour (WPT) was the original catalyst for this December revolution, debuting its World Championship at the Wynn Las Vegas in 2022. After a rollercoaster few years – including crushing a $15M guarantee and narrowly missing a $40M one – the WPT has shifted its strategy.

For 2024 and 2025, the WPT World Championship is running without a published guarantee. This confident move bets entirely on the strength of the WPT brand and the player experience at the Wynn. It is a testament to the festival’s prestige that it remains a “must-play” event solely based on reputation and returning player demand, proving that a massive price tag isn’t the only way to draw a crowd.

The Verdict: A Win for the Live Poker Ecosystem

This three-way rivalry is more than just a fight for market share; it is a sign of a thriving ecosystem. With WSOP Paradise pushing boundaries, EPT Prague providing stability, and WPT relying on premium experience, players are the real winners. December no longer closes the season – it forecasts the health of the live poker world for the year to come.

Online poker sites might not be happy with this transition, as they traditionally see peak traffic in the last 3 weeks of the year, but we are sure you can find great games that suit your needs in our reviewed online poker site offerings.