World Poker Tour Season XXI: Australia, Cambodia, India, and Vietnam among first half stops
After the overwhelming success of the World Poker Tour’s 20th year anniversary season finale in Las Vegas, anticipation is high for the brand’s upcoming Season XXI. For the first half of the year, twelve locations have already been announced. Good news for those in the Asia-Pacific region, among the scheduled stops are Australia, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Also on the list is India, which will see the brand return to Goa shores after a three year absence.
WPT Prime Gold Coast | The Star Gold Coast | Queensland, Australia |
February 23 to March 6
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WPT Prime Cambodia | NagaWorld Phnom Penh | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | March 9 to 21 |
WPT Prime India | Deltin Royale Casino | Goa, India | April 13 to 17 |
WPT Prime Vietnam | Crown Poker Club | Hanoi, Vietnam | May 16 to 29 |
WPT Prime Gold Coast – February 23 to March 6
The first event on the APAC lineup is WPT Prime Gold Coast which runs from February 23 to March 6 at The Star Gold Coast. This will be the brand’s fifth visit to the state of Queensland and players couldn’t be any more thrilled. Last September, Australia experienced its first Main Tour at this location and it soared beyond all expectations, generating massive fields and a grand prize pool of over A$ 8.6 Million (~US$ 5.7 Million).
For the upcoming series, players can look forward to a solid lineup of 14 events featuring a range of buy ins from A$ 330 to A$ 10,000. Notable crowd favorites returning are the Mystery Bounty and the 5K Challenge. Pros and the deep pocketed will be happy to know that among the new additions are the 10K Super High Roller and the 3K PLO High Roller.
Headlining the action is the Main Event with a bigger buy in of A$ 2,000 (~US$ 1,390). It runs from March 2 to 6 kicked off by three starting days. At the inaugural WPT Prime Gold Coast edition in June 2022, the Main Event drew an enormous 896 entries for a prize pool of over A$ 1.17 Million. Australia’s Yang Lei shipped it for a career high A$ 201,755.
MAIN EVENT
Dates: March 2 to 6, 2023
Buy in: A$ 2,000 (~US$ 1,390)
Day 1A: Thursday, March 2
Day 1B: Friday, March 3
Day 1C: Saturday, March 4
Day 2: Sunday, March 5
Day 3 / Final Day: March 6
For those looking to jump in at a fraction of the price, Main Event satellites begin on Friday, January 27 at The Star Gold Coast. Buy ins are just A$ 280.
WPT Prime Gold Coast – Schedule
WPT Prime Cambodia – March 9 to 21
Last year, the WPT returned to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to host its second event at the world class NagaWorld Integrated Resort complex. The response was tremendous with players flying in from all over to create the largest gathering of international players. The Main Event drew a record 1,050 entries, easily smashing the half a million US dollar guarantee for a record US$ 1,018,500 prize pool. It was hailed the largest WPT open event in Asia and the richest tournament in the region of that buy in.
Coming March 9 to 21, WPT Prime heads back to Cambodia to deliver players another exciting festival. The Main Event takes place from March 16 to 20. Stay tuned for the full schedule. WPT Live Events Specialist Danny McDonagh posted on facebook that it is just days away from release.
While waiting, players can start reserving rooms at NagaWorld with special hotel player rates starting from as low as US$ 55. Players can also begin wiring funds for their trip. For all the info, head to the WPTCambodia website.
WPT Prime India – April 13 to 17 (Main Event dates)
Players in India have plenty to be thrilled about as the WPT returns to Goa after a three year absence. The upcoming WPT Prime India will be the country’s first taste of the series. Games will be held offshore in the Deltin Royale Casino. Full festival dates and schedule have yet to be released. The Main Event runs from April 13 to 17.
The last time the brand hosted an event in the country was in 2019 however it was on the year prior when it saw a slightly larger Main Event crowd of 697 entries for a prize pool of US$ 500K. With players hungry for the WPT’s return, the upcoming festival should be the biggest one yet.
WPT Prime Vietnam – May 16 to 29
Last year, the WPT debuted its Prime series at the Crown Poker Club in Hanoi, Vietnam. It was the first international festival to be held in the country’s capital and it was a Vietnam record setter with the Main Event amassing 777 entries. Additionally, the advertised ₫8 Billion guarantee more than doubled for a final prize pool of ₫17.1 Billion.
Although those numbers have since been surpassed, expectations are high for another lucrative series with WPT Prime Vietnam returning to the CPC from May 16 to 29. Stay tuned for the full schedule.