I’ve just arrived in Las Vegas to cover the 2024 WPT World Championship. Over the last two years, it has been one of the poker calendar’s most anticipated events, and this year is no different. Having kicked off over a week ago, the WPT Championship is in full swing, with packed poker tables, pros and recreational players competing hard, and a vibrant lively atmosphere that’s hard to match. As the festival shifts into high gear for the next 10 days, I’m eager to see what develops and have put together a list of the top five things I’m looking forward to as I prepare to immerse myself in all the action.
1. ClubWPT Gold $5 Million Freeroll
Kicking off the list is the groundbreaking $5 million ClubWPT Gold Freeroll. This innovative event seems to have practically redefined “excitement” in the poker community. The Golden Passports, coveted by so many, are the key to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those fortunate to have won or earned them. It has been incredible to witness how this event’s promotion not only caters to loyal fans of the WPT but also promises to introduce so many fresh faces to the big stage. With 2,000 players vying for prizes—including 100 seats to the $10,000 WPT World Championship Main Event—the atmosphere is bound to be electric. This event symbolizes the inclusivity and innovation that the WPT consistently delivers.
2. Playing in the $600 TORSE Event
As a fan of mixed game poker, I was excited to see TORSE (2-7 Triple Draw, Omaha, Razz, 7 Card Stud, and 7 Card Stud 8 or Better) on the schedule and I’m even more excited to hop in and play the event on December 15th. Unfortunately, I did not manage to make it into the money in the first WPT event I played, earlier this year (the “Sea-HORSE” on the WPT Voyage). Hopefully this time around, I’ll make better decisions, run better, and finally get that elusive tournament cash so I can get myself a HendonMob profile at long last! I intend to do a post-tournament write-up documenting my journey, so stay tuned to read about my firsthand experience battling through this mixed-game challenge.
3. The WPT World Championship $10K Event
Returning for its third year, the $10,000 buy-in WPT World Championship has cemented itself as a staple on the poker calendar. While there’s no predetermined prize pool guarantee this year, at this point the event’s allure speaks for itself. The $5 ClubWPT Gold Freeroll is funneling 100 entries into the field, close to 300 seats are being filled by live milestone satellite winners, plus there are lots of WPT Global package winners, plenty of ClubWPT package winners (like Ihor Shved), and of course players buying in directly. So, it will be interesting to observe how the standalone draw of the Championship Event performs, and to see who will emerge as the winner and follow in the footsteps of Eliot Hudon (2022) and Dan Sepiol (2023) to have their name forever enshrined on the Mike Sexton Champions Cup.
4. What Surprises WPT Has in Store
If there’s one thing the WPT has mastered, it’s the art of surprise. They always seem to have something up their sleeve — and with McLarens, cash grab booths, Xmas Meet-Up Games and more already announced thus far, those are some very long sleeves! The WPT World Championship has become synonymous with delighting players and fans alike with unexpected announcements and giveaways. Even with all the excitement that’s been generated in the lead-up to this year’s festival, I can’t shake the feeling that the best surprises are yet to come. The WPT always seems to have “one more ace” up its sleeve, and I can’t wait to see what it is.
The 2022 WPT World Championship “Halftime Show” | Image courtesy: World Poker Tour
5. Finding “This Year’s Special Story”
As a poker media guy, I always head into the WPT World Championship with a content plan for Cardplayer Lifestyle. I’ve already begun executing on that plan; with some articles having been published over the last week (including this present one) and of course there’s plenty more to go.
Even so, I feel like each year thus far that I’ve had the privilege of attending, there has been an “extra special” story that emerged. In 2022 it was the one about my Dad, Dr. Josef Strazynski, winning a $10K seat and watching him prepare and play. Last year it was the incredible Premiere “MUG of Dreams“. I don’t know what it’s going to be this year, but I’ve got a front row seat to all the action and I’m looking forward to taking it in, finding “this year’s story” and composing it for your reading pleasure.
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