WORLD POKER TOUR EVENTS CONTINUE DRAMATIC GROWTH
The World Poker Challenge hosted by the Reno Hilton Sets Tournament Records for Number of Entries, Prize Money and First Place Payout
342 Players Contend for $1,633,700 in the High Stakes WPT Tournament
Reno, NV (March 30, 2004)– The World Poker Challenge hosted by the Reno Hilton is the latest event on the WORLD POKER TOUR to demonstrate the effects of the television show’s popularity. The tournament recorded its highest participation levels to date, with 342 players signed up for this week’s event. The tournament will culminate on April 1, 2004 with the filming of the Final Table for the WORLD POKER TOUR series on The Travel Channel. WORLD POKER TOUR airs every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the network.
The increase in players catapults the total prize money to $1,633,700, including the $25,000 WPT contributed to the prize pool. With this large prize pool for the tournament, players down to 27th place will go home with a nice payday, and the winner will capture a top prize of $604,469, including a seat in the season finale WPT Championship April 19th-23rd at Bellagio, Las Vegas. Last year’s champion, Ron Rose, from Dayton, OH, walked away with $186,298 when the prize pool totaled $420,746. Two years ago, before the tournament became a WPT event, the tournament had 32 entries. The prize pool is determined by the number of players “buying in” to the tournament –in this case the entry fee is $5,000 per person.
“We are excited about the dramatic increase in participation and prize pool at the World Poker Challenge” said CEO of the World Poker Tour, Steve Lipscomb. “The accomplishment is a testament to the Reno Hilton and we are pleased to have the event as one of the WPT’s tour stops.”
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