The World Poker Tour Returns to Montreal: A Look at the 2024 WPT Playground Championship
The excitement of high-stakes poker has returned to Montreal, with the prestigious World Poker Tour (WPT) back at Playground Poker Club for the 2024 WPT Playground Championship. Kicking off on October 24, the festival has quickly become a focal point for poker enthusiasts and professionals alike. The main event features a CAD $3,500 buy-in and a tantalizing CAD $1.5 million prize pool guarantee, setting the stage for an exhilarating series of games.
Star-Studded Participation
As the tournament progressed, many familiar faces graced the felt, including notable players such as Griffin Benger, Chanracy Khun, Eric Afriat, Mark Bailey, Daniel Gagne, and the four-time WPT champion Darren Elias. This blend of talent promises thrilling gameplay and nail-biting finishes. For those keen on keeping up with the action, live updates are available here.
WPT CEO Adam Pliska expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the Playground: "It was such a pleasure hosting a WPT Championship festival at Playground back in May that we embraced the idea of returning for a second 2024 showing. Players will once again have a chance at three different WPT titles, including the most prestigious honor of being immortalized on the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup."
A Look Back at the May Championship
The anticipation for this championship is palpable, especially after the remarkable achievements witnessed earlier this year. In May, David Dongwoo Ko emerged victorious in the WPT Montreal Championship, taking home CAD $434,900 with a staggering prize pool of CAD $2.8 million generated from 882 entrants. The tournament included heavyweights like Darryll Fish, Xuan Liu, and Eric Afriat.
For those who want to relive the thrilling moments from May, a recap can be found here.
The Current WPT Prime Playground Championship
While the main event gears up, the CAD $1,100 WPT Prime Playground Championship is also capturing attention. This tournament saw 1,587 entries across four starting flights, resulting in a competitive Day 2 with just 200 players remaining. Leading the charge was Kevin Rivest with a chip stack of 960,000, closely followed by Bibek Kari at 947,000. Other notable contenders included Boyd Rose and reigning WPT Montreal Champion David Dongwoo Ko.
Players returning for Day 2 are guaranteed a minimum payout of CAD $1,445, but every contender is aiming for the coveted title and the top prize of CAD $164,251. To keep up with the latest developments in this event, follow the updates here.
Expanding Horizons: WPT Prime Paris Championship
Across the Atlantic, poker action is heating up at the €1,100 WPT Prime Paris Championship. Though still in its early stages, the tournament kicked off with great enthusiasm, attracting 204 entrants on Day 1a—an increase from the previous year. Notable players such as Mathias Moutaoukil lead the chip counts, signaling healthy competition.
Meanwhile, some well-known players like Sami Bechahed, Julien Martini, and defending champion Fabrice Bigot were not as fortunate, as they exited the tournament in earlier rounds, indicating how unpredictable and intense these live events can truly be.
Continuing Coverage
For poker fans and avid players alike, the WPT Playground offers a unique opportunity to experience heart-pounding excitement live. PokerNews will be onsite for the duration of the event, sharing updates, stories, and highlights directly from the tournament floor. Make sure to check back regularly as we bring you exclusive coverage of the ongoing championships.
Photos courtesy of World Poker Tour (WPT)
About the Author: Chad Holloway
PR & Media Manager at PokerNews, Chad is a podcast host and a proud 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner. You can follow him here.
