Over the Easter weekend, the World Poker Tour crossed the $100 million mark in prize money with the awarding of the $7 million plus prize pool on the latest tournament stop of the WPT. Michael Gracz captured first prize, earning $1.5 million, and entered the record books as WPT's '$100 Million Man.'
'What the WPT has accomplished in such a short period of time is truly astonishing,' said Steve Lipscomb, President and founder of WPT Enterprises, Inc. 'We have lifted poker from a backroom game to a sport that is churning out a whole new generation of respected professional players making their living by competing in our tournaments around the world. $100 million is just a mind-boggling number and it sends a message that the WPT and poker are here to stay. If you look back at the PGA, it took more than 30 years to reach $100 million in prize money.'
'We at the WORLD POKER TOUR are very proud to have achieved this milestone so quickly. With the addition of the PROFESSIONAL POKER TOUR, which WPT launched in November 2004, we will place even more money into the hands of players. Our faith in poker's future is unlimited and we are excited to be leading its growth in innovation, prize pools and popularity,' said Lipscomb.
Over the Easter weekend, the World Poker Tour crossed the $100 million mark in prize money with the awarding of the $7 million plus prize pool on the latest tournament stop of the WPT. Michael Gracz captured first prize, earning $1.5 million, and entered the record books as WPT's '$100 Million Man.'