World Poker Tour History and Information

Poker has a long and oft-debated history, and there are many opinions on the origin of the game. The World Poker Tour is a relatively new addition, beginning in 2002 with the introduction of a tiny camera that enables TV audiences to see players’ hole cards. The Tour has restyled the face of poker, turning it into a sporting event that draws the young and old, male and female and people of all races and ethnic groups into the game, and lifting the competitive bar to a new level.

How did the World Poker Tournament Start?

Attorney/television producer Steven Lipscomb is credited with starting the tournament, and Lipscomb now serves as CEO of WPT Enterprises, the firm in charge of the World Poker Tour. The WPT is hosted primarily by the United States, but is officially an assortment of Texas hold ‘em poker contests held worldwide. The first championship was held in April 2003 at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Believe it or not, the WPT is actually the poker television show with the highest-ratings in the United States, and it is modeled after success stories such as the PGA Tour. It is debatably one of the major catalysts in the poker boom. It was aired on the Travel Channel in the United States for its first five seasons. Currently aired on the Fox Sports Network, the World Poker Tour television show airs between 15-20 episodes per season, ending with its own “WPT Championship,” held at the Bellagio.

The first season champion was Alan Goehring, whose prize winnings totaled more than $1 million, and his total tournament winnings exceeded $5.2M as of 2008. When playing, competitors start with $100,000 in tournament chips, and the game is held in levels, each lasting 90 minutes. There is a 15-minute break after each level. The seriousness of the tour has attracted poker champions from around the world.

World Poker Tour is a name that will always be remembered for bringing the game into the homes of millions around the world. The “WPT Cam,” the lipstick-sized camera that is positioned on the felt to allow the TV audience to see exactly what the players are holding, and the unique idea of filming the final tables at some of the main poker events throughout the world makes the game much more exciting.