The 2019-2020 World Poker Tour season was interrupted by a global health pandemic. Many events were canceled, and the season was extended well into 2021. Now that Season XVIII is now finally officially behind us, with Brian Altman taking down Player of the Year, it's time to look forward to the upcoming season, which begins June 18 in Central Florida.
Seminole Hard Rock Tampa (June 18-22)
The WPT Seminole Hard Rock Tampa in, you guessed it, Tampa, Florida, costs $3,500 to enter and features a $2 million guaranteed prize pool. Play begins June 18 from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, which boasts one of the top poker rooms in the Sunshine State. The last World Poker Tour event in Florida, hosted at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood back in April, set a WPT record with 2,482 entries.
Venetian (July 2-7)
The WPT Venetian in Las Vegas is the crown jewel of the casino's summer DeepStack Championship Poker Series, which began in May and runs into early August. An entrance fee into the tournament costs $5,000, the same as the Venetian's WPT event in March 2020. The casino promises a $3 million minimum prize pool, but you should expect the pot to be much higher.
Choctaw (July 23-27)
Durant, Oklahoma, a small town just north of the Texas border, is a surprising poker hotspot, and Choctaw Casino is one of the top places to play in the Southwest. Choctaw is an annual home for World Poker Tour action, and 2021 will be no different. The $3,700 buy-in poker tournament in late July guarantees at least $1 million in the pot, and hundreds of players from all over the country will fly into town for this epic event.
Bestbet Scramble (August 27-31)
What better way to finish off the summer than a major poker event in Florida? The WPT Bestbet Scramble (previously a bounty tournament) in Jacksonville at the Bestbet Casino is one of the WPT's top annual events. The buy-in is $5,000 and the casino guarantees a $1 million prize pool. Players should be aware that this year's event isn't a bounty tournament for the first time.
WPT at Maryland Live! Casino (September 24-28)
Maryland Live! is Baltimore's top poker spot, and for good reason. The casino regularly hosts major events such as this $3,500 buy-in World Poker Tour tournament. Expect some juicy side cash game action during the event. The casino hasn't yet announced a guaranteed prize pool, but that may come in the future. With or without a guarantee, the field will almost certainly be huge.
Seminole Hard Rock 'N' Roll Poker Open (November 26-30)
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida has become the most popular spot for World Poker Tour action. The WPT returns to South Florida in November with another $3,500 event. As per usual for the casino, the prize pool will reach at least $2 million. But with demand always so high for these events, you should expect at least $1 million more in the pot. It's always wise to register early for any major poker tournament in South Florida to avoid being stuck on an alternate list.
Five Diamond World Poker Classic (December 15-19)
Many poker players will tell you that the Five Diamond World Poker Classic at the Bellagio in Las Vegas is the most prestigious tournament on the World Poker Tour. The $10,400 buy-in event is one of the most popular high roller events in all of poker. There's no need for a guaranteed prize pool because the field is always so large that any guarantee would quickly get smashed. Winners of the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic typically take home more than $1.5 million.
(World Poker Tour tournaments in 2022 have yet to be announced)
Featured image source: Flickr
