World Poker Tour vs. World Series of Poker
Okay, I confess! I was totally confused by these two poker events – like are they the same thing? If not, what is the difference between them? So let me save you the heartache of finding out for yourself.
First, yes, they are indeed different titles and not connected in any way whatsoever (other than the fact that they both evolve around the game of poker … duh!!!). In fact, they are in competition with one another.
Let me describe the WSOP first up which btw was just won by a 21 year old whiz kid in case you missed it. It’s an annual event that takes place every year in Las Vegas. The WSOP first began in 1970 and has grown phenomenally since then to now include 57 events. How much the winner of each event wins depends upon the number of entrants and the buy-in amounts. The Main Event (No Limit Texas Hold’em) is the most prestigious with the winner literally receiving millions in prize money (not to mention the glory of the unofficial title ‘World Poker Champion’). Most poker variants are included in the WSOP but Texas Hold’em is by far the most popular.
The WPT, on the other hand, is a series of international tournaments taking place year round rather than a once-off annual event like the WSOP. Also, the WPT is a baby in comparison as it only had its first season in 2002. As for who can play in either event – the answer is the same for both. That is, anyone who can simply afford the tournament buy-ins. I hear that for the WSOP, these range from $1,500 to $50,000 whereas for the WPT, they range from $2,500 to $25,000. Other than with a buy-in you can also qualify for either event through winning a seat though a lower-priced satellite tournie or win a free seat through a cardroom or online tournie.