World Poker Tour Set To Descend on Grand Casino Liechtenstein

Posted on: August 16, 2023, 08:31h. 

Last updated on: August 16, 2023, 12:31h.

Erik Gibbs Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

The World Poker Tour (WPT) is helping show the anti-gambling segment in Liechtenstein that it has no place. The WPT is once again demonstrating its global reach and reputation by hosting a poker tournament series at the Grand Casino Liechtenstein beginning at the end of the month.

The entrance to the Grand Casino Liechtenstein
The entrance to the Grand Casino Liechtenstein, which will host a World Poker Tour tournament series starting later this month. (Image: Hochge Pokert)

The European principality, nestled between Switzerland and Austria, and the casino will play host to a gathering of poker enthusiasts and professional players. They are converging for a chance to showcase their skills and luck on the felt. The WPT Prime Lichtenstein begins on August 30 and runs through September 11.

At the beginning of the year, a group of anti-gambling pundits, known as IG VolksMeinung, tried to ban casinos in Liechtenstein. It attempted to drum up public support for the initiative, but failed miserably.

A Million Reasons to Visit Liechtenstein

In typical poker tournament fashion, the Main Event will likely be the biggest attraction. With a CHF1 million (US$1.13 million) guarantee on the table against a CHF1,100 (US$1,251) buy-in, it’s easy to see why.

The Main Event begins on September 6 with six starting flights. Day 2 will start on September 10, followed by the final table on September 11.

For players who want to warm up for the Main Event or simply want cheaper options, there are plenty to choose from. Among them are:

Event Date Buy-in Prize
Opener  Aug. 30 CHF300 (US$341) CHF30,000 (US$34,150) GTD
Main Event Satellite Aug. 30 CHF200 (US$227) 5 Main Event seats
Deepstack Aug. 31-Sept. 3 CHF200 CHF100,000 (US$113,830)
Pot-Limit Omaha Sept. 2  CHF300 No guarantee
Ladies Event       Sept. 3 CHF200 No guarantee
Seniors Event Sept. 4  CHF200 No guarantee
20/20/20 Sept. 5  CHF200 CHF20,000 (US$227,660)
Main Event Satellite Sept. 7  CHF200 10 Main Event seats
High Roller Sept. 11  CHF1,980 (US$2,253) No guarantee

In addition to the on-location satellites, players can also compete for a chance to win a tournament seat online. WPT Global is offering a variety of satellite events through which the winners can participate in a live event of their choosing.

These online satellite events, Passport Qualifiers, have a buy-in of just $110 and are held every Saturday and Sunday. The winners receive a buy-in package worth up to $1,500, depending on the event and the location.

Hop to the Bahamas

For those U.S. players who can’t make it to Liechtenstein, or who don’t want to, there’s something closer to home later this year. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has announced its WSOP Paradise schedule in the Bahamas.

The series, the first in what the WSOP hopes will become a regular fixture, takes place at Atlantis Paradise Island from December 3-14. There will be 15 bracelet events and more than $50 million in guaranteed cash up for grabs.

Event buy-ins start as low as $800 for the Flip & Go, with no set prize pool, and go as high as $100K for the Ultra High Roller event. The latter has a guarantee of $5 million.

The Main Event is a $5,000 buy-in tournament with a guarantee of $15 million. The WSOP is hoping the weather holds up to avoid an overlay. There’s also a $10M guarantee for the $25K High Rollers Championship, and several events with guarantees of $1M and $2M.

The WSOP is running the series in collaboration with GGPoker, which will be giving away Main Event packages through its online poker portal. There will be 1,000 available, all of which offer accommodations for 11 nights, meal passes, and the $5,000 Main Event buy-in.