You don’t have to travel to Las Vegas to test your luck.
The World Poker Tour (WPT) is due to return to South Africa for a third consecutive season at Emperors Palace.
With 10 events scheduled from November 6 to 16, with varying entry fees, there’s no reason to be calling anyone’s bluff at the Palace of Dreams.
Tournaments will take place in the recently refurbished Theatre of Marcellus, where the usual mix of local and international players hope to stack the odds in their favour.
WPT president Adam Pliska said: “Johannesburg, South Africa, has captured the imagination of our players, and Emperors Palace is a world-class venue that offers a unique blend of poker and adventure.
“Our international players have enjoyed travelling to the southern hemisphere the past two seasons, exploring the stunning safaris and venturing to different cultural hot spots when they are not playing.
“With an even more diverse schedule of events this year, the Season XIII WPT Emperors Palace Poker Classic is primed to be another extraordinary event.”
Last year, local player Daniel Brits outlasted a field of 191 entries to win the Poker Classic Main Event, earning R1 459 538.
Several top professionals have already been confirmed for the latest season, including WPT Champions Club member – Chris Moorman, Season VIII WPT Player of the Year Faraz Jaka, 2012 WSOP Main Event runner-up Jesse Sylvia, and three times WSOP bracelet winner and WPT Monster Invitational third-place finisher Vanessa Selbst.
“I’m really excited for the WPT Emperors Palace Poker Classic,” said Selbst.
“The side tournaments and the WPT Main Event promise to be great events, and I’ve always wanted to be able to explore South Africa.
“A poker trip for the WPT Classic seems like the ideal way to do it.”
Visitors won’t see a cold deck in sight, with beauties such as 2009 Miss SA Nicole Flint, the famous Royal Flush Girls and the “Hottest Lady in Poker” Lacey Jones.
Women might also have a reason to fold their cards and enjoy the eye candy, as USA poker hunk Tony Dunst is an early confirmed player for the tournament.
“I’m delighted by the early response from the international players and the locals are already planning their campaigns,” said Gary Lentin, managing director at Shuffle Up Poker.
“We have something for everybody and a couple of new, exciting tournaments, including a Turbo Accumulator and Maxi Stack Event.
“Fields are limited and we are expecting full fields for event one and also the Maxi Stack so I would advise players to book early.”
A celebrity tournament will also take place, along with a VIP cocktail party, on November 11, with all proceeds from the celebrity event going to the Feed SA charity.
Feed SA will also benefit from the Women’s Event, where again all proceeds will profit the NPO, and will be handed over at the celebrity charity event.
This year’s event promises to continue the trend of the WPT Emperors Palace Poker Classic being the biggest poker event in Gauteng.
“Since we began our relationship with the WPT, Emperors Palace has taken poker in South Africa to its highest and best level ever,” said gaming chief operating officer Bob Yearham.
“Over the past three years we’ve attracted the most entrants ever, hosted the biggest poker players in the world, and paid out over R40-m in prize money to our players.”
All the information, rules and schedules can be found at wwww.emperorspalace.com, or follow @wptsa.
