Los Angeles, CA (February 12, 2015) — For the second consecutive season, the World Poker Tour® heads west for three great events ‐ the WPT® L.A. Poker Classic, WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star, and WPT Rolling Thunder ‐ bridged together as the California Swing. Players who participate in all three WPT Main Tour events will earn points based on their finishing position in each tournament, and one lucky winner will receive a 2016 California Swing prize package, including:
Commerce Casino
- Complimentary room accommodation of up to 6 nights at the Crowne Plaza during the Season XIV WPT L.A. Poker Classic
- Complimentary airport transfer for the Season XIV WPT L.A. Poker Classic
- 1 complimentary massage at the Meridian Spa
Bay101 Casino
- Shooting Star status for the Season XIV WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star
Thunder Valley Casino
- Complimentary hotel accommodation in a suite for up to 5 nights for the Season XIV WPT Rolling Thunder
- $500 room credit to be used during the Season XIV WPT Rolling Thunder
Last year, Michael Rocco finished third in the WPT L.A. Poker Classic ($423,440) and 21st in the WPT Rolling Thunder ($12,780), outscoring WPT Season XII Player of the Year Mukul Pahuja by 19 points to win the California Swing. Benjamin Zamani, WPT Rolling Thunder champion JC Tran, and Season XIII BLUFF.com One’s to Watch Garrett Greer all finished in the top five.
The action kicks off on February 28 at Commerce Casino with the $10,000 buy-in televised WPT L.A. Poker Classic. Since Season I, the WPT L.A. Poker Classic has consistently attracted the biggest names in poker, and the first dozen events generated a combined prize pool of more than $66 million. Several iconic players have etched their names onto the WPT Champions Cup™ at Commerce Casino, including Gus Hansen, Antonio Esfandiari, Michael Mizrachi, Phil Ivey and, most recently, Chris Moorman.
The California Swing continues in San Jose on March 9 with the $7,500 buy-in televised WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star. A fan-favorite event, this special tournament features 52 Shooting Stars with $2,500 bounties on each of their heads. This season, the Shooting Stars include Season XIII WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic champion Mohsin Charania, Season XIII WPT Sunshine Swing winner Anthony Zinno, reigning WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star champion James Carroll, and WPT commentator and Hall of Famer Mike Sexton.
The third and final stop on the California Swing, the $3,500 buy-in WPT Rolling Thunder, begins on March 14 and concludes with a live-streamed final table on March 18. WPT Rolling Thunder successfully debuted in Season XII, attracting 465 entries and generating a total prize pool of nearly $1.5 million. In January, Thunder Valley Casino ran a special California Swing satellite, attracting hundreds of local players looking to win a package to all three events. Thai Nguyen of West Covina, CA was the last player standing, and walked away with a seat into each of the three tournaments, along with $1,000 in cash.
Satellites are running now at Commerce Casino and Bay 101 Casino, and begin on March 2 at Thunder Valley Casino.
“After a very successful launch in Season XII, which resulted in an intense race that came down to the wire, we are proud to announce the return of the California Swing,” said WPT President Adam Pliska. “By connecting three spectacular events, the WPT L.A. Poker Classic, WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star, and WPT Rolling Thunder, the World Poker Tour will once again provide an added convenience to our players, along with a tremendous amount of extra value to the already massive prize pools. The Hublot WPT Player of the Year race is also heating up and every point matters, making these must-attend events.”
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For more details on World Poker Tour events, sponsors and promotions, please visit www.WPT.com.
WPT Media ContactRichard Ryan ‐ richard.ryan@wpt.com
About World Poker TourWorld Poker Tour (WPT) is the premier name in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online, and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. WPT has broadcast globally in more than 150 countries and territories, and is currently producing its 13th season, which airs on FSN in the United States. Season XIII of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.com, a unique online membership site that offers inside access to the WPT, as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club available in 35 states across the United States. ClubWPT.com also sponsors Season II of the new WPT Alpha8 series of super-high roller poker tournaments which is currently in production and which airs on FOX Sports 1 in the United States. WPT participates in strategic brand license, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities. WPT Enterprises Inc. is a subsidiary of bwin.party digital entertainment plc.
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