As the grand finale of the 21st season of the World Poker Tour approaches, the poker world turns its eyes to the Wynn Las Vegas for the much-anticipated 2023 WPT World Championship Festival. From November 29 to December 23, this festival promises to be a spectacular event featuring several high-profile tournaments. This year, a collaboration with WPT Global has facilitated the qualification of several hundred additional players for the events in Las Vegas.
Highlights of the festival
$40,000,000 GTD 2023 World Championship Main Event (December 12-21)
With a record-breaking $40 million guarantee, the Main Event is set to surpass last year’s staggering $29,008,000 prize pool. This event, televised with four starting flights, follows the 2022 success story of Canadian Eliot Hudon, who bagged a grand prize of $4,136,000.
$1 Million Buy-In Big One for One Drop (December 18-20)
It is a high-stakes event featuring poker legends like Phil Ivey, Daniel “Jungleman” Cates, and prominent business figures. This tournament represents the pinnacle of high roller poker. 13 players have already confirmed their participation.
Confirmed players:
| Aleksejs Ponakovs | Artur Martirosyan | Chris Brewer |
| Daniel “Jungleman” Cates | David Einhorn | Jason Koon |
| Mikita Badziakouski | Nick Petrangelo | Orpen Kisacikoglu |
| Phil Ivey | Rick Salomon | Santhosh Suvarna |
| Talal Shakerchi |
$5,000,000 GTD 2023 WPT Prime Championship (December 7-12)
The 2023 WPT Prime Championship continues to build on its impressive debut last year, which saw the prize pool swell to a remarkable $5,267,100. Stephen Song emerged victorious from a field of 5,430 entrants, a win that not only secured him a significant payday but also propelled him to the top of the poker world. This triumph played a pivotal role in Song earning the prestigious 2022 GPI Player of the Year award, underlining the importance of the WPT Prime in the poker calendar. This year, the WPT Prime Championship is back with an ambitious $5 million guarantee, set to run from December 7-12, and will feature a televised final table on December 19.
The Premier Meet-Up Game (December 1)
The festival kicks off with this event, where WPT Ambassadors, talents, and special guests like Phil Ivey, Andrew Neeme, Brad Owen, Tony Dunst, Vince Van Patten, Lynn Gilmartin, and Matt Savage.
The festival also boasts a rich schedule of varied poker tournaments, starting with a $1 million guaranteed $600 No Limit Hold’em event. Other highlights include the $250,000 guaranteed WPT Ladies World Championship and the popular Mystery Bounty with a $2 million guarantee.
There is also no shortage of high-stakes tournament poker in the overall festival schedule, from the $2,200 8-Game event to the $10,000 Seniors High Roller and the $50,000 WPT Alpha8.
14 Days of Livestreaming
Additionally, the festival offers 14 days of livestreaming, starting December 7, with a $25/$50 Creator Cash Game, ensuring that fans won’t miss a moment of the action. The climax will be the World Championship Final Table on December 21.
Full Streaming Schedule
| Date | Event | Time |
| Dec. 7 | Creator Cash Game | 4:00pm – 10:00pm |
| Dec. 8 | Ladies Championship FT | Time TBD |
| Dec. 9 | High Stakes Cash Game | 4:00pm |
| Dec. 10 | High Stakes Cash Game | 4:00pm |
| Dec. 11 | PLO Cash | 4:00pm – 10:00pm |
| Dec. 12 | Prime Championship Day 3 | 4:30pm / 2nd Break |
| Dec. 14 | Ladies Cash Game | 4:00pm – 10:00pm |
| Dec. 15 | Million Dollar Cash Game | 4:00pm |
| Dec. 16 | World Championship Day 2 | 1:00pm – 8:30pm |
| Dec. 17 | World Championship Day 3 | 12:30pm – 8:30pm |
| Dec. 18 | World Championship Day 4 | 12:00pm- 11:15pm |
| Dec. 18 | WPT x Daniel Arsham Celebrity Invitational | 4:00pm |
| Dec. 19 | World Championship Day 5 | 12:00pm – 11:15pm |
| Dec. 19 | Prime Championship FT | 4:00pm |
| Dec. 20 | World Championship Day 6 | 12:00pm – Final Six |
| Dec. 20 | The Big One for One Drop FT | 4:00pm |
| Dec. 21 | World Championship FT | 4:00pm |
WPT Player of the Year
The race for the coveted title of WPT Season 21 Player of the Year is reaching its climax at this year’s festival. Currently topping the leaderboard is the incredible Bin Weng, who has had an outstanding year in the poker arena. Weng’s remarkable achievements include back-to-back final table appearances at WPT events and an impressive win at the EveryOne for One Drop, pocketing $2,227,054. The pressure is mounting on the chasing pack as the season draws to a close and with only a few qualifying tournaments remaining.
2023 WPT Player of the Year Leaderboard
| Place | Player | WPT POY Points | WPT Earnings | Cashes | Final Tables | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bin Weng | 2,050 | $3,511,204 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | Sridhar Sangannagari | 1,150 | $745,000 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | Richard Lee | 1,100 | $550,267 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | Jared Jaffee | 1,100 | $426,100 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | Scott Eskenazi | 1,100 | $376,660 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | Ky Nguyen | 1,000 | $376,030 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Fred Normand | 1,000 | $351,650 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 8 | Jeremy Joseph | 950 | $253,650 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 9 | Mitch Garshofsky | 900 | $550,000 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | Martin Kozlov | 900 | $360,244 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
WPT World Championship vs. World Series of Poker Paradise
This year’s WPT World Championship Festival in Las Vegas coincides with the inaugural WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas, scheduled from December 3 to 14. This scheduling clash between the two poker giants, WPT and WSOP, has sparked a ‘poker brawl’ of sorts, compelling many high-profile players to make a tough choice between the two festivals.
This rivalry is more than just a schedule conflict; it symbolizes the competitive spirit that drives the poker world. It’s a battle for prestige, with each brand striving to outdo the other in attracting the biggest names and offering the most enticing offers.
2023 WPT World Championship Festival Full Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
| Nov. 29 | 11 a.m. | $600 Limit Omaha Hi-Lo |
| 11 a.m. | $600 No Limit Hold’em Day 1A ($1 Million Guarantee) | |
| 6 p.m. | $600 No Limit Hold’em Day 1B | |
| Nov. 30 | 11 a.m. | $600 No Limit Hold’em Day 1C |
| 6 p.m. | $600 No Limit Hold’em Day 1D | |
| Dec. 1 | 9 a.m. | Premier Meet-Up Game |
| 11 a.m. | $600 No Limit Hold’em Day 1E | |
| 6 p.m. | $600 No Limit Hold’em Day 1F | |
| Dec. 2 | 11 a.m. | $600 No Limit Hold’em Day 1G |
| 7:30 p.m. | $600 No Limit Hold’em Day 1H (Turbo) | |
| Dec. 3 | 1 p.m. | $600 No Limit Hold’em Day 2 |
| 1 p.m. | $10,500 8-Max No Limit Hold’em | |
| 5 p.m. | $1,600 Satellite – $15K WPT World Championship Package (10 Seat Guarantee) | |
| Dec. 4 | 11 a.m. | $1,600 Mystery Bounty Day 1A ($2 Million Guarantee) |
| 11 a.m. | $1,100 Seniors Championship ($500,000 Guarantee) | |
| 1 p.m. | $600 No Limit Hold’em Final Table | |
| 1 p.m. | $1,100 6-Max No Limit Hold’em | |
| 7:30 p.m. | $400 Double Play Milestone Satellite (25 $2,200 Prizes Guaranteed) | |
| Dec. 5 | 11 a.m. | $1,600 Mystery Bounty Day 1B |
| 1 p.m. | $1,100 Pot Limit Omaha/No Limit Hold’em | |
| 7:30 p.m. | $400 Double Play Milestone Satellite (25 $2,200 Prizes Guaranteed) | |
| Dec. 6 | 11 a.m. | $1,600 Mystery Bounty Day 1C |
| 11 a.m. | $1,100 WPT Ladies Championship Day 1 ($250,000 Guarantee) | |
| 7:30 p.m. | $400 Double Play Milestone Satellite (25 $2,200 Prizes Guaranteed) | |
| Dec. 7 | 11 a.m. | $1,100 WPT Prime Championship Day 1A ($5 Million Guarantee) |
| 11 a.m. | $1,100 WPT Ladies Championship Day 2 | |
| 4 p.m. | Creator Cash Game (Live Streamed) | |
| 12 p.m. | $1,600 Mystery Bounty Day 2 | |
| 7:30 p.m. | $500 ClubWPT Final Table Challenge – 9 WPT Prime Championship Seats Added | |
| Dec. 8 | 11 a.m. | $1,100 WPT Prime Championship Day 1B |
| 11 a.m. | $1,100 WPT Ladies Championship Final Table (Live Streamed) | |
| 12 p.m. | $2,200 8 Game Mix Day 1 | |
| Dec. 9 | 11 a.m. | $1,100 WPT Prime Championship Day 1C |
| 12 p.m. | $2,200 8 Game Mix Day 2 | |
| 4 p.m. | High Stakes Cash Game (Live Streamed) | |
| 7:30 p.m. | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to WPT World Championship (25 Seat Guarantee) | |
| Dec. 10 | 11 a.m. | $1,100 WPT Prime Championship Day 1D |
| 4 p.m. | High Stakes Cash Game (Live Streamed) | |
| 7:30 p.m. | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to WPT World Championship (25 Seat Guarantee) | |
| Dec. 11 | 11 a.m. | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to WPT World Championship (75 Seat Guarantee) |
| 12 p.m. | $1,100 WPT Prime Championship Day 2 | |
| 4 p.m. | PLO Cash Game (Live Streamed) | |
| 6 p.m. | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to WPT World Championship (25 Seat Guarantee) | |
| Dec. 12 | 11 a.m. | $10,400 WPT World Championship Day 1A ($40 Million Guarantee) |
| 11 a.m. | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to WPT World Championship (25 Seat Guarantee) | |
| 12 p.m. | $1,100 WPT Prime Championship Day 3 (Live Stream Starts @ 4:30 p.m.) | |
| 1 p.m. | $1,100 HORSE Championship | |
| 6 p.m. | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to WPT World Championship (25 Seat Guarantee) | |
| Dec. 13 | 11 a.m. | $10,400 WPT World Championship Day 1B |
| 11 a.m. | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to WPT World Championship (25 Seat Guarantee) | |
| 1 p.m. | $1,100 Pot Limit Omaha | |
| Dec. 13 | 1 p.m. | $1,100 HORSE Championship Day 2 |
| 6 p.m. | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to WPT World Championship (25 Seat Guarantee) | |
| Dec. 14 | 11 a.m. | $10,400 WPT World Championship Day 1C |
| 11 a.m. | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to WPT World Championship (25 Seat Guarantee) | |
| 4 p.m. | Ladies Cash Game (Live Streamed) | |
| 6 p.m. | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to WPT World Championship (25 Seat Guarantee) | |
| Dec. 15 | 11 a.m. | $10,400 WPT World Championship Day 1D |
| 4 p.m. | Million Dollar Cash Game (Live Streamed) | |
| 7 p.m. | $500 Turbo No Limit Hold’em | |
| Dec. 16 | 12 p.m. | $10,400 WPT World Championship Day 2 (Live Stream Starts @ 1 p.m.) |
| 1 p.m. | $3,000 Progressive Bounty No Limit Hold’em | |
| 7 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $3,000 No Limit Hold’em (25 Seat Guarantee) | |
| Dec. 17 | 12 p.m. | $10,400 WPT World Championship Day 3 (Live Stream Starts @ 12:30 p.m.) |
| 12 p.m. | $3,000 No Limit Hold’em Day 1A ($3 Million Guarantee) | |
| 12 p.m. | $1,100 Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Championship Day 1 | |
| 1 p.m. | $25,700 No Limit Hold’em High Roller | |
| Dec. 18 | 11 a.m. | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to $10,000 Seniors High Roller (10 Seat Guarantee) |
| 12 p.m. | $10,400 WPT World Championship Day 4 (Live Streamed) | |
| 12 p.m. | $3,000 No Limit Hold’em Day 1B | |
| 12 p.m. | $1,100 Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Championship Day 2 | |
| 1 p.m. | $1 Million WPT Big One for One Drop Day 1 | |
| 4 p.m. | WPT x Daniel Arsham Celebrity Invitational (Live Streamed) | |
| 6 p.m. | $1,100 Milestone Satellite to $10,000 Seniors High Roller (10 Seat Guarantee) | |
| Dec. 19 | 11 a.m. | $1,600 No Limit Hold’em Day 1A ($2 Million Guarantee) |
| 12 p.m. | $10,400 WPT World Championship Day 5 (Live Streamed) | |
| 12 p.m. | $10,000 Seniors High Roller Day 1 | |
| 12 p.m. | $3,000 No Limit Hold’em Day 2 | |
| 1 p.m. | $1 Million WPT Big One for One Drop Day 2 | |
| 1 p.m. | $3,000 6-Max No Limit Hold’em | |
| 4 p.m. | $1,100 WPT Prime Championship Final Table (Live Streamed) | |
| Dec. 20 | 11 a.m. | $1,600 No Limit Hold’em Day 1B |
| 12 p.m. | $10,400 WPT World Championship Day 6 (Live Streamed) | |
| 12 p.m. | $3,000 Dealer’s Choice Championship Day 1 | |
| 12 p.m. | $3,000 No Limit Hold’em Final Table | |
| 12 p.m. | $10,000 Seniors High Roller Day 2 | |
| 1 p.m. | $50,000 WPT Alpha8 Day 1 | |
| 4 p.m. | $1 Million WPT Big One for One Drop Final Table (Live Streamed) | |
| 6 p.m. | $400 Milestone Satellite for $1,600 No Limit Hold’em (25 Seat Guarantee) | |
| Dec. 21 | 11 a.m. | $1,600 No Limit Hold’em Day 1C |
| 12 p.m. | $3,000 Dealer’s Choice Championship Day 2 | |
| 1 p.m. | WPT Alpha8 Day 2 | |
| 1 p.m. | $10,500 Pot Limit Omaha | |
| 4 p.m. | $10,400 WPT World Championship Final Table (Live Streamed) | |
| Dec. 22 | 12 p.m. | $1,600 No Limit Hold’em Day 2 |
| 1 p.m. | $1,100 No Limit Hold’em | |
| 1 p.m. | $10,500 8-Max No Limit Hold’em | |
| Dec. 23 | 12 p.m. | $1,100 No Limit Hold’em |
As the 2023 WPT World Championship Festival promises to be a thrilling culmination of the 21st season of the World Poker Tour, we at PokerPro.cc are gearing up to bring you full coverage of this grand event, from the intense race for the Player of the Year title to the high-stakes drama unfolding at the tables.
