As live poker remains on pause due to the ongoing pandemic, the World Poker Tour (WPT) continues its strong pivot to the online arena. Building on the momentum of its successful WPT Online Series, the organization has just announced the upcoming WPT World Online Championships, set to run from July 1 through August 9.
A Return to Classic Championship Glory
The highlight of the series is the $10,300-buy-in World Online Championship Main Event, which will close out Season XVII of the WPT. This marks a revival of the classic WPT World Championship format, a staple of the live tour that hasn’t been featured since Season XIII.
In total, the online series will host 15 championship events, delivering a wide range of high-stakes action across various formats. Among them is the Mini World Championship, running parallel to the main event. This $1,100 buy-in freezeout is designed for players looking for a championship experience at a lower price point. A guaranteed prize pool for the Mini has yet to be confirmed.
Additional events for the series will be revealed soon.
Online Series Already Heating Up
The announcement follows strong performances in the ongoing WPT Online Series, which debuted earlier this month. One of the standout events was the $5,200 WPT Opener, which attracted a robust field and smashed its $2 million guarantee by reaching a prize pool of $2,173,150. Argentine pro Leo Fernandez took the title and a healthy payday.
Meanwhile, the $530 WPT Mini Opener proved that lower buy-ins can still deliver big excitement. With 1,362 entries, the event generated a $681,000 prize pool, easily surpassing its $500K guarantee. Russia’s Evgeny Galakhov emerged victorious, earning $115,293 for his efforts.
A New Era for the WPT
With live poker on hold, WPT’s embrace of the digital felt is proving to be a hit among players and fans alike. The upcoming World Online Championships promises to bring the prestige and structure of traditional WPT events to the online arena, offering pros and recreational players alike a chance to chase poker glory from the comfort of home.
