While most poker organizers worldwide focus on offering the biggest prize pools to attract players, China Poker Games takes a different approach. As the longest-running poker brand in China that produces the largest player turnout ever seen in Asia, CPG has veered away from the norm to create a more sustainable poker lifeline.
According to CPG, the future of poker lies with recreational players, not profit-driven pros who focuse solely on the numbers. With all tournaments in Asia offering rebuys and re-entries, it will eventually bleed players and shrink the numbers. Due to this, CPG’s philosophy is “protect the recreational players”. This is the main driving factor for the brand’s success and continuous innovation, as seen at the annual CPG Championship in Sanya.
China Poker Games Model
For the past 12 years, China Poker Games has hosted its biggest annual event – CPG Championship – in Sanya, Hainan Island, one of the fastest growing beach destinations in China. Supported by the Hainan Tourism Department, these annual poker events have significantly boosted local businesses, especially during the low season. Today, up to 59 select countries are visa-free to Hainan Island.
This year, Somuchpoker had the opportunity to experience firsthand what makes CPG stand out, and it quickly became evident that the brand provides much more than just poker. Both on and off the felt, CPG offers a wide range of activities that cater not only to poker players but also to their families. For CPG, the annual championship is viewed as a vacation experience, with poker as the added bonus.
Prior To The Annual CPG Championship
In any given year, as soon as the CPG Championship reaches Day 2, the CPG online Main Event satellites kick off. This way, players can immediately prepare for next year’s games. CPG also hosts several Main Event Satellite events throughout the year around mainland China and in Sanya. This year 3,761 Main Event vouchers were won online and 300 at the live satellites.
Due to stricter measures imposed by the government, to ensure a seat at the 2024 CPG Championship Finals (Main Event), players were advised to keep enough Main Event vouchers in their CPG app account and submit their names before the start of the festival. This way, if they busted on the first bullet, they still had remaining vouchers for the next flight. For extra vouchers, players were able to convert them into Side Event vouchers and / or Service Vouchers. However, these vouchers could not be converted into cash.
Player Party Buffet
Players that arrived early to the CPG Championship were then met with a Player Party Buffet, set only for early birds during the first three days of the festival. To avail of this perk, players were given a 40-minute dinner break. The buffet featured a lavish seafood spread, showcasing Sanya’s local delicacies.
To add to the festive vibe, there were games, performances, a mascot, and a live band, making it a truly fun and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Revamped CPG APP
This year, the brand revamped the CPG App, turning it into a One-Stop-Shop for players. Aside from all of the information on tournaments and registration, the app now offers a variety of services at the click of a button.
Initially, the app was solely used for tournament needs such as registering and getting results. Players needed only to have their QR code scanned and voila, they had their seat with no waiting time. The app was also used to pay players that had reached ITM.
While that is still its main function, another use has since been added, Service Vouchers. This innovative idea was a struggle for players at first with digital banking already widely used in Sanya. The need for Service Vouchers seemed moot. However, from what was once generating around USD 20K in services now generates over a million USD into the local ecosystem.
With CPG drawing a few thousand players to Sanya each year, and all of them having needs like any tourist, the app can be used to pay for all kinds of services at a discount. From food and beverage delivery to car rentals, transfers, outdoor activities, tours, shows, shopping for souvenirs, masseuse, even meditation sessions. CPG has partnered with numerous local merchants with some having booths set up at the venue, making it easier for players to access everything they need during their stay in Sanya.
Whether one is a recreational player or a pro, using Service Vouchers has now become very popular especially for players that bring their families. No need to scan through numerous apps to find the services one needs. No need to get advice on what’s good and what’s available. The CPG app has a comprehensive list of choices which will only continue to increase at every festival.
Ticket System
Upon speaking to several international players experiencing CPG for the first time, some expressed frustration with the ticketing sysem. And expectedly so. According to CPG, a high number of interational players didn’t heed CPG’s advice causing them to miss the Main Event.
Unlike the usual practice where players buy in using physical currency and then wait in another line for their seat assignment, CPG handles everything through the app. This makes the process quick and seamless. Not only is it much faster, but there’s also no waiting time.
To streamline the experience even further, CPG has eliminated cash transactions. Players need only to load their CPG account and ensure they purchase their Main Event vouchers and Side Event tickets well in advance.
Top Notch Customer Service
For first-timers, the setup is reminiscent of the WSOP – not just in the layout of the rooms, but in the overall execution. The standards are exceptionally high with the goal of delivering the best customer service from start to finish. This of course includes well-trained dealers and floor managers. As mentioned in an earlier article, for the 2024 CPG Championship, 219 dealers and 56 floor managers have been prepared for this festival.
Additionally, there is no lack of tables with 189 across four rooms. There are also two livestream tables. With only registered players with chips allowed in the room that is designated on their ticket, CPG has set up a livestream screen at the Players Lawn for spectators to be able to watch the feature table and final table. As one international player was overheard saying, “Wow, CPG has really set the bar high!”
Links:
2024 CPG Championship – News
2024 CPG Championship – Player Guide
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