Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Over the past seven years, Emperors Palace in partnership with ShuffleUp Poker, have brought poker enthusiasts the opportunity to compete for international poker prestige, without having to leave the borders of South Africa. The World Poker Tour® (WPT) will make its way around the globe for a 17th season, with its only stop on the African continent at Emperors Palace from 08 to 16 March 2019 for the WPT® DeepStacks Emperors Palace Premier Poker Championship. With prize pools exceeding R10 million, the bi-annual poker event normally attracts a field of more than 2 000 local and international entries, who all share one fundamental aspiration, to claim poker glory at The Palace of Dreams.
WPT® South Africa is the only local series where prize pools have exceeded the R21 million mark in a single series, making it the most prestigious and sought-after African poker series. Over the years Emperors Palace, WPT® South Africa and ShuffleUp Poker have crowned a total of 47 poker millionaires. Recreational and professional players alike make their way to Emperors Palace every season, with event buy-ins ranging from as little as R500 to a staggering R75 000.
“We are proud to host the WPT® Poker Series at Emperors Palace with ShuffleUp Poker, and to play a part in making the event the biggest and most prestigious series on the continent,” says Bob Yearham. “This year’s event is especially committed to growing the game locally, with affordable buy-ins and the lowest rakes in South African poker, which is always a stimulus to attract new players into the poker playing market.”
Gary Lentin, CEO of ShuffleUp Poker, says, “This year’s WPT® schedule has a lot to offer all poker players, and will again crown 11 champions and make a few more millionaires. More importantly, thousands of poker enthusiasts from around the country, and the world, will be given a chance to earn fame, fun and fortune in the greatest poker series in Africa. Good luck to all of you. I’d like to thank our partners, Peermont and WPT® as well as our sponsor World Sports Betting, for championing the growth of poker in South Africa year on year.”
Key events for the series include the Half Freeze Event on 11 March that will see players seated with a 100 000 tower of chips for a R4 000 buy-in. The WPT® DeepStacks Main Event, which will take place on 15 March, features a guaranteed prize pool of R2.5 million with a R10 000 buy-in. The ultimate R75 000 buy-in VIP poker experience, the Super High Roller Event, guarantees to give away a massive R1.5 million.
Satellite tournaments will be held daily in the Gladiators Poker Room from 25 February, where players are competing to win a seat in the official tournament. Buy-ins start from a mere R300.
For more information, accommodation, and tournament schedules, visit www.emperorspalace.com or www.shuffleuppoker.com. For tournament rules, and terms and conditions, contact Kayla Beytel on 072 964 1946 or email KaylaB@shuffleuppoker.com.
Peermont proudly supports the National Responsible Gambling Programme. The Problem Gambling Counselling Toll-Free Helpline is 0800 006 008. Players must be 18 years or older. Winners know when to stop.
Emperors Palace is a Peermont Resort. Connect with Emperors Palace on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @emperorspalace to stay up to date with the latest events and entertainment offerings at The Palace of Dreams.
