Live Streams to Bring Touch of Authenticity to WPT World Online Championships

July 17th, 2020 | by Kaycee James

The WPT World Online Poker Championships starts today with a special charity invitational before its $100 million main event schedule gets underway.

The WPT World Online Championships will feature live streams and expert commentary from a team of stars. (Image: WPT)

To give the online festival a touch of WPT authenticity, live streams will run between July 18 and September 8.

Each broadcast will be shown across four different platforms and include commentary from a team of pros, including Mike Sexton.

Buy-Ins for Everyone as WPT Looks to Break $100 Million Guarantee

Before the open events begin on July 18, the poker industry’s finest will do battle on Partypoker. The MTT will not only provide a prelude to the main series but raise money for charity.

In a break from the norm, the WPT World Online Championships won’t open with a Hold’em event. Instead, Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo battles will run for two days.

As with all 12 championship events, there will be tournaments at three buy-in levels (micro, mini, and main). When the first trio of MTTs gets underway on July 18, entry fees will range from $33 and $320 to $3,200.

From there, 11 more championship events will take place on Partypoker and, to ensure everyone gets a front row seat, all main event final tables will be streamed on PartypokerTV, Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook.

Each stream will also show hole cards (on a delay) and hand replays. Additionally, players will have their real names on display in all WPT World Online Championships tournaments.

WPT stalwarts Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten will head the line up of commentators alongside Tony Dunst. British poker pro James Dempsey will provide additional commentary for side events, and a host of Partypoker ambassadors will offer their professional insights.

When all is said and done, the WPT and Partypoker will pay out at least $100 million.

Game Changing COVID-19 Creates New Opportunities

With the WSOP Online also in progress, it’s a time of plenty for online poker players. Although COVID-19 led the cancellation of live tournaments around the world, it hasn’t killed the game.

In fact, thanks to innovations from the WPT, WSOP, Partypoker, and GGPoker, players have had access to more value than usual. Even as live poker returns, the game has changed.

Operators and tournament organizers have seen the value of hosting online MTTs like never before.

The WPT World Online Championships is yet another example of what’s possible. With live streams and commentary set to “replicate an authentic live poker experience,” we’ve entered a new era not just for poker tournaments but poker entertainment.