World Poker Tour to make stop at Las Vegas Strip

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The World Poker Tour returns to the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for the Five Diamond World Poker Classic Main Event from 15-19 December. This event brings Season XIX to a close as the WPT ushers in a new era in 2022 in line with its 20th anniversary.

The $10,400 buy-in event, which has been a WPT staple since the first season in 2002, will be the final event of Season XIX. The final table will be filmed for broadcast at the HyperX Esports Arena at Luxor Hotel & Casino, and will air on Bally Sports at a later date.

“The Bellagio holds special significance for the World Poker Tour,” said Adam Pliska, WPT President and CEO. “The Five Diamond World Poker Classic was the first World Poker Tour event, and it seems fitting to finish our current season there before launching our historical 20th season in January.”

The last time the WPT was at the Bellagio was in December 2019 when Alex Foxen came out on top of the 1,035-entry field in the Season XVIII Five Diamond World Poker Classic to win $1,694,995 and his first WPT title.

The WPT Season XIX Player of the Year race will also conclude at the Bellagio. Through six events this season, there is a three-way tie for first between Brian Altman, Rok Gostisa, and Chad Eveslage with 1,450 points each. WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open champion Gediminas Uselis is just 50 points behind.

“We are thrilled to be able to finish our season with a showcase event with one of our longest running partners,” said Angelica Hael, WPT VP of Global Tour Management. “From there, we are ready to head into Season XX and put an even bigger spotlight on our partners, our champions, and our tour.”

Starting in Season XX, all WPT seasons will now begin in January and run through December, marking a change from the previous schedule which typically began each spring. The first event on the Season XX calendar is the Lucky Hearts Poker Open which runs 13-26 January at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL.