Are WPT becoming old news?

[snoopy1239]

Casper Hansen this week won the 2008 Spanish WPT in Barcelona. For the final results, see the link below:

http://blondepoker.com/index.php?q=node/19120

The buy-in I believe was €5,000, which is pretty much the same as the EPT, but if you compare the 253 that turned up here to the 701 turnout in, say, San Remo, the WPT event doesn't seem to be providing much of interest to our European players. I, along with tikay (who alluded to his ignorance in his diary), barely even knew this event was on, so surely the WPT have missed a trick on marketing this event. Maybe finances simply didn't allow it.

Are WPT on the way out? Are they becoming old news? Why does no one seem to be particularly interested in their Tour anymore?

[ariston]

Think they should bring the WPT to the UK if they want a decent field. The first ever WPT in the UK would certainly cause a bit of a stir imo

[DaveShoelace]

To be honest, think it has a lot to do with the general mindset of americans plus the popularity of poker in other countries.

WPT events in the states still get big fields, but I think in general yanks think anywhere beyond Canada is full of terrorists. Maybe thats a broad generalisation, but why should they travel to Paris when they have a massive tournament in Vegas pretty much every week?

Likewise, poker is now so big in Europe that we have our own tours - EPTs, GUKPTs etc. Its easy enough for Europeans to get a game these days too.

Plus, the WPT dont do the biggest promo work on their non US events, I didnt even know this was on. They certainly do need a UK event (Which might be happening, if rumours are true)

Good mag though

[blonde17]

 

It is the one WPT event that isn`t televised and we all know how TV now drives poker in the USA ( UK too come to think about it) so the yanks were never going to come for a non televised event ....it rates very high on their list of prioritys.

[dino1980]

It was near the WSOP too don't forget, so would put anyone outside of Europe (except for the under 21 crowd) off travelling. Also the LAPT was going on in Costa Rica at the time for the U21 crowd too. I remember there being a £5,000 event at the Vic in 2006 just before the WSOP started at it got 53 entries, way less than expected.

However, in general the WPT, at least in Europe, is becoming old news IMO.

[doubleup]

The epts were flagging a bit (remember Dublin) until Stars introduced the steps satellites.  So the turnout wasn't that bad considering the limited opportunities to qualify online.

I had half a thought to go over for the live sats, but hotels were quite expensive, maybe the fact that it was a uk bank holiday filled hotels.

[LeKnave]

Probs because the sat's available for EPT>>>>WPT.

[DaveShoelace]

Probs because the sat's available for EPT>>>>WPT.

[NoflopsHomer]

The epts were flagging a bit (remember Dublin) until the buy-in was dropped back to €5k. So the turnout wasn't that bad considering the limited opportunities to qualify online.

I had half a thought to go over for the live sats, but hotels were quite expensive, maybe the fact that it was a uk bank holiday filled hotels.

FYP

[doubleup]

The epts were flagging a bit (remember Dublin) until the buy-in was dropped back to €5k. So the turnout wasn't that bad considering the limited opportunities to qualify online.

I had half a thought to go over for the live sats, but hotels were quite expensive, maybe the fact that it was a uk bank holiday filled hotels.

FYP

The WPT was also €5k so not sure that is relevant.

[kenjude]

On the 2+2 Pokercast they've been asking questions about the WPT....events droppiing off the calendar (not just Paris)......reduced numbers at events......increasingly narrow view of what "World" means and so on.