Today, the first-ever World Poker Tour World Championship will begin at Wynn Las Vegas. Included in the packed schedule is a record-breaking tournament with the largest guarantee ever offered by a live poker tournament in the World Championship Main Event – $15 million!
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The Largest Live Poker Guarantee Ever
In the live poker world, we’ve seen some big guarantees – but, this one takes the cake. Online poker tournaments have delivered tremendous prizes, with events like the Partypoker Millions providing upwards of $20,000; however, the biggest one we’ve seen in live poker was worth $10 million in WSOP Main Event 2014.
At the WPT World Championship Main, runners will be competing for their share of a $15 million prize pool. It’s certainly attracted plenty of attention, with players from around the world heading to Wynn for their shot at a life-changing prize.
“We are so encouraged by the tremendous initial response to the World Championship Event. Considering the immense efforts by our very own VP of Global Tour Management, Angelica Hael, it is only fitting to advocate for the progression of women in poker, including the many women who have been critical to the WPT story” — says WPT CEO Adam Pliska.
An Action-Packed Schedule
While the $15 million in the Main Event is the major draw of the tournament series, there are plenty of exciting events that players can take part in. NLHE events will be held, of course, as well as 5 Card PLO, H.O.R.S.E, Bomb Pots and Bounties.
One of the most thrilling events on the schedule is the Meet-Up game, which will gather icons of the poker scene. Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, Steve Aok, Patrik Antonius and Lynn Gilmartin will all be there, and players have the chance to win a spot on the felt so they can rub shoulders with poker royalty.
If you’re interested in the full WPT World Championship, see the full schedule below:
| Date | Event | Time | Guarantee | |
| December 01, 2022 | $600 No Limit Holdem Day 1A | 11:00 AM | $500,000 | |
| $600 No Limit Holdem Day 1B | 5:00 PM | $500,000 | ||
| Raffle Entry The Premier MUG: WPT Poker Icons Experience | 10:00 AM | |||
| December 02, 2022 | $600 No Limit Holdem Day 1C | 11:00 AM | $500,000 | |
| $600 No Limit Holdem Day 1D | 5:00 PM | $500,000 | ||
| December 03, 2022 | $600 No Limit Holdem Day 1E | 11:00 AM | $500,000 | |
| $600 No Limit Holdem Day 1F | 5:00 PM | $500,000 | ||
| December 04, 2022 | $600 No Limit Holdem | 2:00 PM | $50,000 | |
| December 05, 2022 | $600 H.O.R.S.E. | 11:00 AM | $50,000 | |
| $600 No Limit Holdem Day 1A | 12:00 PM | $200,000 | ||
| December 06, 2022 | $600 Limit Omaha 8/B | 11:00 AM | $50,000 | |
| $600 No Limit Holdem Day 1B | 12:00 PM | $200,000 | ||
| The WPT Phil Ivey Home Game Qualifier on ClubWPT | 9:00 AM | |||
| December 07, 2022 | $1,100 Seniors Championship (50+, 2 Day) | 11:00 AM | $200,000 | |
| $600 5 Card PLO | 1:00 PM | $50,000 | ||
| $200 Milestone Satellite to $1,100 WPT Prime Championship | 5:00 PM | 10 Seats | ||
| December 08, 2022 | $200 Milestone Satellite to $1,100 WPT Prime Championship | 11:00 AM | 20 Seats | |
| $1,100 WPT Prime Championship Day 1A | 12:00 PM | $2,000,000 | ||
| $3,000 8-Game Mix (2 Day) | 1:00 PM | $200,000 | ||
| $200 Milestone Satellite to $1,100 WPT Prime Championship | 5:00 PM | 20 Seats | ||
| The ClubWPT Doyle Brunson – Golden Ticket | 4:00 PM | |||
| December 09, 2022 | $1,100 WPT Prime Championship Day 1B | 12:00 PM | $2,000,000 | |
| $600 PLO Turbo | 5:00 PM | $50,000 | ||
| $200 Milestone Satellite to $1,100 WPT Prime Championship | 5:00 PM | 20 Seats | ||
| The ClubWPT Tony Dunst WPT Battleship Bounty | 11:00 AM | |||
| December 10, 2022 | $1,100 WPT Prime Championship Day 1C | 12:00 PM | $2,000,000 | |
| $600 NLH $1k Bounty Turbo | 5:00 PM | $50,000 | ||
| $1,100 Milestone Satellite to $10,400 WPT World Championship | 7:00 PM | 10 Seats | ||
| The ClubWPT Phil Ivey Golf Simulator Promotion | 3:30 PM | |||
| December 11, 2022 | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to $10,400 WPT World Championship | 12:00 PM | 50 Seats | |
| $25,700 NLH High Roller (2 Day) | 1:00 PM | N/A | ||
| $1,100 Milestone Satellite to $10,400 WPT World Championship | 5:00 PM | 10 Seats | ||
| Thank You Players’ Party at Area 15 | 6:00 PM | |||
| December 12, 2022 | $10,400 WPT World Championship Day 1A | 11:00 AM | $15,000,000 | |
| $1,100 Milestone Satellite to $10,400 WPT World Championship | 12:00 PM | 10 Seats | ||
| $1,100 H.O.R.S.E. Championship (2 Day) | 1:00 PM | $100,000 | ||
| $1,100 Milestone Satellite to $10,400 WPT World Championship | 5:00 PM | 10 Seats | ||
| December 13, 2022 | $10,400 WPT World Championship Day 1B | 11:00 AM | $15,000,000 | |
| $1,100 Limit Omaha 8/B Championship (2 Day) | 1:00 PM | $100,000 | ||
| December 14, 2022 | $10,400 WPT World Championship Day 1C | 11:00 AM | $15,000,000 | |
| $400 Milestone Satellite to $3,000 NLH 6-Max | 5:00 PM | 10 Seats | ||
| $1,600 No Limit Holdem Bounty Turbo | 7:00 PM | $100,000 | ||
| December 15, 2022 | $200 Milestone Satellite to $1,100 WPT Ladies Championship | 11:00 AM | 10 Seats | |
| $3,000 No Limit Holdem (2 Day) | 2:00 PM | $500,000 | ||
| $200 Milestone Satellite to $1,100 WPT Ladies Championship | 5:00 PM | 10 Seats | ||
| December 16, 2022 | $1,600 Mystery Bounty Day 1A | 12:00 PM | $2,000,000 | |
| $1,100 WPT Ladies Championship | 1:00 PM | $200,000 | ||
| $3,000 NLH 6-Max | 1:00 PM | $250,000 | ||
| December 17, 2022 | $1,600 Mystery Bounty Day 1B | 12:00 PM | $2,000,000 | |
| $5,200 NLH Progressive Bounty | 1:00 PM | $250,000 | ||
| $300 Milestone Satellite to $1,600 Mystery Bounty | 5:00 PM | 20 Seats | ||
| December 18, 2022 | $1,600 Mystery Bounty Day 1C | 12:00 PM | $2,000,000 | |
| $10,500 NLH High Roller | 1:00 PM | N/A | ||
| December 19, 2022 | $1,100 No Limit Holdem | 1:00 PM | $200,000 | |
| $600 Tag Team Bomb Pot – Double Barrel | 5:00 PM | $50,000 | ||
Qualifiers from Just $5
With a buy-in of more than $10,000, the WPT World Championship Main Event is not affordable for most poker aficionados – but, the World Poker Tour wants everyone to get involved. That’s why the brand held qualifiers starting at just $5.
There were two tiers of online satellites and qualifiers available. First, there was a $5 satellite which granted winners into a $55 satellite. Winners from this event received a seat in the $500 qualifier, where prize packages worth $12,000 were given away.
Included in the package are:
- A buy-in for the $10,400 WPT World Championship Main Event
- Four nights’ accommodation at the Wynn Las Vegas
- $1,000 in cash to cover travel expenses
- Branded WPT merch
Overall, 100 players won their way to the WPT World Championship Main Event and, while online qualifiers are now closed, it’s not too late to get involved. Live qualifiers will be held from December 10 to December 13 with a $1,100 buy-in.
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Bethany has been working in online gambling for over 13 years. She got her start in the industry as her first job after graduating from the Professional Writing Program at York University. Having written for many online gaming publications and worked with top casino operators, she has unique insight into the gambling market. Bethany maintains a personal interest in iGaming as she continues to play poker online as a hobby.