Everything you need to know about the WPT Australia 2024
The 2024 WPT tournament is already up and running and will end on the 25th of September. The championship taking place at the Star Gold Coast, has up to nine pathways packages up for grabs. Moreover, the qualified players will converge at Wynn Las Vegas at the WPT World Championship taking place in December.
This year’s WPT Australia Championship expanded from 16 to 23 events, making it the biggest poker festival down under for 2024. It will feature top local and international poker players, all looking to grab their share of the $13 million prize pool. Note that you must be a member of The Star Club and sign a mandatory WPT player release form to participate in this tournament.
This write-up covers all the essential details you need to grasp about the 2024 WPT Australia Festival. Let’s read on!
The Evolution of WPT Australia
The World Poker Tour started in 2002. It’s among the most prestigious poker tournaments globally. The event was founded in the US by Steve Lipscomb. Although most events are held in the United States at prestigious casinos like the Wynn Las Vegas and Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Florida, the WPT Australia also holds international competitions in the top casinos in Australia. Being one of the world’s biggest poker events, it attracts both recreational and professional players.
The inaugural WPT Australia took place at the Star Gold Coast from Sept 27 to Oct 7, 2019. It was a 10-day event featuring buy-ins ranging from A$330 to A$5,000.
The tour was such a success that the main event attracted 658 participants and generated a prize pool of close to $1.5 million. The winner, Hari Varma, took home $185,693.
However, the tour was halted for two years due to the pandemic, after which it returned in 2022. The 2022 main event attracted 710 participants even though the buy-in had increased to A$5,400. The combined prize pool was A$3,550,000. David Tang was crowned the main event winner, pocketing A$647,470.
Although the 2023 main event attracted fewer participants (only 600) than the previous years, the prize pool increased to $4.5 million. The 2023 main event winner was American player Richard Lee, who took home A$854,890.
Poker enthusiasts will be in for a treat in this year’s event. It is scheduled to begin on 12th and end on September 25th. In total, there are 23 events over 14 days of cutthroat competition and a prize pool estimate of $13 million. The winner will receive AUD $16,000 WPT Championship Main Event Entry as part of first prize payout.
Why is WPT Australia Such a Big Deal?
- A Global Poker Stage: WPT events are renowned globally. The 2024 tournament gives players a chance to compete on an international stage.
- Tourism Boost: The event not only brings poker lovers from around the world to the Gold Coast but also boosts local tourism as players and fans enjoy the region’s attractions.
- Celebrity Spotting: You should also expect to see top poker players alongside influencers and celebrities.
What to Expect at the WPT Australia
Critics and fans alike have named the WPT Australia as the most prestigious poker tour in the Asia-Pacific. This event attracts the best poker players and amateurs from Australia, Asia, and the world at large.
It has grown over the years, and the organizers expect the prize pool to grow from $12 million in 2023 to over $13 million in 2024.
In addition to the large winnings, nine top players will have a chance to participate in the WPT World Championship in December 2024.
According to the Star Gold Coast team, they have been working extremely hard to ensure the festival is world-class. The facilities are now looking even better to provide players with a unique experience.
Events to Look Forward to at the WPT Australia
This year, Star poker added a special package for the WPT Ladies Championship. The ladies championship is scheduled to take place between 17th and 18th, where the winner will proceed to the Ladies World Championship in December.
So, whether you are looking for the best online casino payouts to bet on the WPT poker tournament or just want to attend this event, below is the schedule you’ll need to ensure you don’t miss anything.
| Date | Event | Buy-in (A$) |
| Sept 12 | Flat Out Freezeout | 565 |
| Sept 13 | PLO Turbo | 575 |
| Sept 13 | Shark Bait | 675 |
| Sept 14-16 | Mystery Bounty | 1650 |
| Sept 17-18 | Ladies Australia Championship | 675 |
| Sept 18-19 | Bonza Bounty | 880 |
| Sept 19 | Shane Warne Legacy Perpetual Trophy Event. (This event honors Shane Warne’s life and contributions to the poker game. All proceeds from the sale of water and admin fee go to the Shane Warne Legacy) | 880 |
| Sept 19 | Super High Rollers | 20,000 |
| Sept 20-25 | WPT Championship | 8,000 |
| Sept 23 | Extreme Turbo | 1,250 |
| Sept 24-25 | WPT Road To Vegas | 1,150 |
| Sept 24-25 | High Roller PLO | 5,000 |
Players to Watch Out for in the WPT Australia Championship 2024
Last year’s event attracted over 6700 players, in which Richard Lee was crowned the champion. This year’s event will see nine players meet at Wynn Las Vegas, as stated earlier. Some of the players to look out for in the race to Wayne Las Vegas include John Dickenson, who won the Flat Out Freeze Out event when the WPT tour commenced on 12th September. Others are Mathey Beck, who won the PLO Turbo Dau One tournament and Ricardo Bono, who won the Shark Bait tournament.
Conclusion
The WPT Australia 2024 is already in full swing, and Australians are happy that the WPT is taking place for the fourth time this year. John Dickens was crowned the first champion of the WPT 2024 festival. Mathew Beck managed to win the PLO Turbo one day event, with Ricardo Bono winning the Shark Bait one day event. To stay updated with the latest developments in the poker world, be sure to visit The Hendon Mob regularly.
