WPA Upgrades Poker Tournament Rules, Invites Comments

The World Poker Association (WPA) yesterday announced completion of its recommended 2008 Tournament Rules, for use in poker tournament competition around the world. The New Rules will be distributed to players at the WPA Mega Satellite, which is the opening event on the schedule of the 2008 World Series of Poker, at noon, May 29th at the Rio All Suites Hotel in Las Vegas.

The new rules will be presented at the WPA's Annual Meeting May 28th, following which will be a WPA seminar led by Mike Caro and then a WPA cocktail party, which is open to the press as well as members and their guests. The recommended Rules will also be immediately available to players competing in the WPA tournament, May 29th.

WPA Lands a Sponsorship to Fete One Skillful Lady

With a $500 buy-in, the Mega Satellite at the WSOP includes seats for the WSOP Main Event (as per the prize pool) as well as a separate sponsorship entry into the WSOP Ladies Championship as a member of the Queens of Heart Team for the lady member of the WPA who finishes in highest position in the Mega Satellite. The Queens of Heart prize was arranged by Queens of Heart team founder Lisa Tenner, renowned marketing and branding expert and a member of the WPA.

More WPA Sanctioned Mega Satellites on the Horizon

The Mega Satellite is part of a long term effort by the WPA to expand its reach in the poker world, and to provide incentives for its growing membership base. WPA Chairman Wendeen H. Eolis says, "The Mega Satellite that is taking place at the WSOP will serve as the prototype for more WPA-sanctioned events." She added, "Mega Satellites provide an opportunity for the WPA to connect with casinos around the world bringing WPA members to their properties while attracting new WPA members from the casino's local community of players who may not be active tournament circuit players."

WPA Tournament Rules Debut at WSOP

Earlier this spring the WPA finalized arrangements for the WPA Mega Satellite under the auspices of the WSOP, noting it would coincide with the Association's planned release of new WPA Tournament Rules. Some of the new WPA Tournament Rules will be incorporated in the 2008 WPA Mega Satellite at the WSOP with a view toward additional collaboration between the WPA and WSOP in the future. The WSOP has agreed to operate the tournament with nine-handed tables, and will adopt a strict prohibition against splashing the pot.

The WPA requires all of its members to adhere to a stringent Code of Ethics that is designed to promulgate professionalism and the highest standards of sportsmanship. "The new WPA Tournament Rules work hand and hand with this mission," says Eolis, citing the WPA's request to WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel to fully enforce the Rio's casino-wide ban against foul and obscene language.

WPA Tournament Rules are a Work in Progress

WPA Tournament Rules Committee Chair, Thomas Kremser, oversaw more than 100 hours of committee and Board of Directors discussions to reach consensus on the newly published rules. Kremser says, "The WPA Tournament Rules reflect a good balance between the needs of tournament personnel and the needs of players to insure fairness and consistency."

Discussing the year long WPA deliberations on Rules, Eolis continues, "We have built on the substantial work of the Tournament Directors Association and have moved down the path of unifying and standardizing tournament rules for competitions around the world."

Toward this end, the WPA is sending the new WPA Tournament Rules to casinos and public card rooms around the world seeking endorsement of its work and inviting card room personnel worldwide as well as players in the WPA Mega Satellite, May 29th, to offer feedback to the recommended WPA Rules that will be distributed when they take their seats.

The Tournament Rules are part of the WPA's mission to unite world poker entities by unifying standards of play.

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