The World Poker Tour (WPT) has looked to expand its player base in the last couple of years as the brand has targeted emerging poker markets, especially in Asia. Poker experts have predicted that markets such as China and India hold the key to the next poker boom and the WPT wants to make sure that it has positioned itself well to ride the wave of success when poker in Asia finally takes off.
The WPT has launched a promotion known as ‘Asia Swing’ which looks to target top Asian markets by hosting WPT sponsored events that give Asian players the opportunity to play at a WPT sponsored event and win significant amount of money.
WPT Vietnam – First Ever Stop
The WPT recently announced that they would hold their first event in Vietnam from September 26 to October 4, 2018. The tournament would be held at the Pro Poker Club in Ho Chih Minh, and will be part of the new expanded Asia-Pacific itinerary, which had passed by New Zealand to give it its inaugural poker event, which ended in June of this year.
WPT Vietnam will be the third and last stop of a 20-day tour through Asia, which will first stop by Japan from September 15-17; and South Korea from September 18-21; in what the World Poker Tour calls the “Asia Swing”.
Hefty payouts are in store for both players and organizers in the WPT Vietnam. The main event is a VND22 million ($1000) buy-in tournament. A number of smaller tournaments are lined up as well, including a VND11 million ($500) WPT Pro Poker Club Superstack Classic event. The entirety of WPT Vietnam will feature a total of VND8 billion ($345,000) in total prizes.
Asia Swing Will Pay Dividends Going Forward
Danny McDonagh, WPT Live Events Specialist, is very enthusiastic about the new Asian itinerary as the WPT is also scheduled to make stops in South Korea, Japan and India.
Before the WPT comes to Vietnam, the WPT will first stop by Tokyo to host WPT Japan which is scheduled to take place from September 15 to 17. The WPT will the move on to South Korea and host its stop at the Paradise City Casino in Incheon from September 18 to 21. Both the WPT Japan and WPT Korea stops are filled with a number of exciting events.
Players who take part in multiple events at WPT Japan will have an opportunity to play the opening days of the WPT Korea Main Event. One of the unique events at WPT Korea is the $5000 team event mixed in for variety.
This team event will involve a maximum of 16 teams which comprise of 4 players each. These teams will compete in 6 Omaha and NHLE tournaments and the winning team’s members will all be awarded seats at the WPT Korea Main Event. Teams from the US, UK, Australia, Singapore, and South Korea have already confirmed their participation for this event.
WPT Will Make Second India Stop
After Vietnam, the WPT is set to make its return to India to host its second tour stop. The WPT held its first ever tour stop in 2017 and WPT India was a great success for the brand. WPT India 2018 will take place at the Deltin Royale Casino in Goa and will be held from November 13 to November 19.
India is considered to be one of the fastest growing poker markets in the world and the WPT is responding to the growing demand. The 2017 WPT India stop saw a total of 527 participants and tournament organizers expect a much bigger number for the 2018 edition. The 2017 WPT India edition was won by Indian poker pro Vijash Mantri who took home a cool $92,000 in prize money.
Top poker operators including PokerStars have targeted the Indian market and predict big things for poker in India. The WPT is not only targeting India but is also very optimistic of its continued presence in Vietnam, India, and other Asian countries. The WPT will continue to look for opportunity to expand to new Asian markets as well as strengthen its brand presence in established Asian markets.