The World Poker Tour (WPT) announced ambitious plans to host a poker cruise as well as add events in Asia.
The cruise is set for March 31 to April 6, 2024 and the WPT is taking over the entire ship for a venture called “WPT Voyage 2024.” WPT’s president and chief executive, Adam Pliska, told GGRAsia that Virgin Voyages will be the cruise line used and promises a “remarkable and unique experience.” The ship will stop at various ports in the Caribbean.
Pliska’s remarks came during the WPT Korea and WPT Korea High Roller events from July 15 to July 24, held at Jeju Shinhwa World Resort Casino, a foreigner-only gaming venue on the South Korean holiday island of Jeju. The event had a total of 758 players.
“Jeju is a place that needs professional competitive poker players,” Pliska GGRAsia. “We chose Shinwa World as it has a world-class casino and incredible facilities with beautiful locations, to attract Western players who want to visit.”
It is all part of a plan to highlight and expand poker in several different Asian countries. Pliska said the WPT was established in 2002 and had its first event in China in 2006.
“Asia has been exploding with great poker players and become better and better,” Pliska said. “WPT is watching the potential growth in Asia.”
“Westerners who might not know Vietnam or Cambodia, have a big opportunity to play poker in a safe place,” he told GGRAsia. “One of the advantages of poker is that it brings in people from around the world. Therefore, poker could be helpful to bring people to see Japan.”
Another area the WPT is targeting for events is Macau. Pliska told GGRAsia that they first have to find the right partner to host a tournament.
The next WPT activity for Asia will be in Taipei, Taiwan from August 8 to August 21, hosted by the Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association.
