More sleaze? Yes please
Last month, the ClubWPT Gold ‘Gold Rush’ promotion generated a major story as Jesse Yaginuma’s comeback against James Carroll in the WSOP Millionaire Maker sparked controversy. Daniel Negreanu criticized the World Poker Tour (WPT) for what he called the ‘sleaziest’ promotion in over 30 years of his poker career.
Most players disagreed, seeing it as a positive when an operator enhances poker tournaments. Unfazed, ClubWPT Gold initiated their Event #81 last longer promotion, offering a $50,000 prize to the ClubWPT Gold player who lasts the longest in the WSOP Main Event while wearing a gold patch.
A €100,000 ($116,984) carrot to the 30 players who qualify
At the end of the month, it’s WPT Global’s chance to add excitement by offering a €100,000 ($116,984) reward to the 30 players who qualify for the Summer In Dublin Main Event through a €720 ($842) package freeroll on its site. Will the event, part of the Irish Poker Tour (IPT), lead to controversy? If one of those 30 players makes the final table, it’s certainly possible.
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Masters predict massive turnout
Irish Poker Tour (IPT) CEO Fintan Gavin has guaranteed €250,000 ($292,464) for the festival, mostly from the Main Event, but he expects it to exceed this amount by the end of late registration. Two weeks ago, IPT ambassador Tanya Masters appeared on ‘The Chip Race’ podcast to promote the poker event happening in Dublin’s Green Isle Hotel from July 23rd to 27th.
Masters described the festival as a “cannot-miss” IPT stop with its €300 ($351) Main Event and side event buy-ins ranging from €150 ($176) to €400 ($468). She highlighted the IPT’s friendly atmosphere:
“The buzz at IPT events is amazing, and everyone is excited for ‘Summer In Dublin,’ especially with the guaranteed first prize of €50,000 ($58,519) and the WPT Global freerolls and €100,000 promotion. I predict a massive turnout.”
IPT Tour Tournament Director Donald MacAonghusa expects a big field, emphasizing the tour’s grassroots nature that attracts players across the country. He stated that “Bringing poker to the people” has been the Irish Poker Tour’s motto, and WPT Global has embraced and elevated this concept. The added promotion has captured the Irish poker community’s interest, evident by the turnout for nightly freerolls on WPT Global.
Only the beginning
Live poker costs have risen yearly, with post-pandemic operator costs contributing to this increase and some of it passed to customers. However, rising fees discourage players, particularly those who scrutinize the details.
Gavin was blown away when he first heard
The solution is for online operators to inject value into live experiences. By offering 30 packages and a potential €100,000 bonus, WPT Global is doing just that. Gavin was impressed by the site’s proposal:
“I thought it was mad but loved it. It’s an outlandish promotion. These WPT Global guys just want to give money away.”
WPT Global Marketing Manager for Ireland, Cameron Soane, explained their strategy:
“WPT Global is happy to add incentives to this Irish Poker Tour event. Poker in Ireland holds special significance and history, making the Irish market vital to us.”
Soane hinted at future promotions:
“This is just the beginning – the first of many promotions for Ireland, and we hope to see our qualifiers at the final table in Dublin. €100k is life-changing, and we wish our qualifiers the best in their pursuit.”
‘Summer In Dublin’ will be the IPT’s thirteenth stop in 2025, potentially unlucky for some but very lucky for the eventual winner, considering the grand first prize and the possible €100,000 WPT Global bonus if the champion is a freeroll qualifier.
This post’s author David Lappin is a WPT Global ambassador.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com