The World Poker Tour has kicked off its new season with mainland China’s very first WPT Main Event.
WPT Beijing wrapped up late Wednesday with Macau’s Pete Chen topping a field of 400 players to claim the US$300,000 first prize. Singapore pro Bryan Huang – another regular in Macau – also reached the final table, finishing in sixth for US$54,168.
Despite other poker tours having run into regulatory problems in the past, there were no such woes for the WPT, which was purchased by China’s Ourgame Holdings for US$35 million in 2015. The tournament avoided onsite cash buy-ins with all players either qualifying online through Ourgame or being invited by the organiser.
The WPT also holds an annual event in Sanya which boasts a smaller buy-in and is capped at 888 runners in order to appease local gaming restrictions.
Held at the NUO Hotel Beijing, WPT Beijing formed part of the 2017 Ourgame Chess and Card Festival as well as representing the maiden event of WPT Season XVI.
“It is only natural that the World Poker Tour continues its global expansion by holding its first WPT Main Tour stop in China,” said Ourgame CEO Frank Ng.
“The WPT is the world’s global leader in gaming and entertainment, making it a perfect fit to the 2017 Ourgame Chess & Card Festival.”
WPT Beijing Final Table Results
1st: Pete Yanhan Chen – US$299,485
2nd: Chen Ke – US$199,278
3rd: Lu Yingqi – US$128,101
4th: Zhang Wenben – US$84,974
5th: Tan Yancheng – US$65,401
6th: Bryan Huang – US$54,168
