After a weeklong visit from the partypoker Premier League (and a day off for the United States’ version of Thanksgiving), the World Poker Tour will be invading the Playground Poker Club in Montreal, Quebec, Canada this afternoon for the start of the partypoker WPT Montreal.
In just a couple of visits to the Playground, the WPT Montreal has proven to be a big winner among the players. Last year’s tournament turned out to be the largest tournament (by entries) ever in Canadian history, drawing in 1173 entries and building more than a $3.38 million prize pool. The final table was dominated by Canadians as Sylvain Siebert and Gavin Smith joined the U. S.’s Peter Kaemmerlen and Jeff Gross at the final table. In the end, it was two of Canada’s sons, Pascal Lefrancois and Jonathan Roy, settling the title heads up, with Roy taking the win and the $784,101 first prize.
Earlier this year, another trip to the Playground drew in another sizeable field. By the time late entry was complete, 735 entries were registered for the WPT Canadian Spring Championship and the entirety of the final table was dominated by Canada. Jonathan Bardier, Martin Leblanc, Bobby Liang, Jason Duval and Barry Kruger were beaten by Amir Babakhani, who earned a spot on the WPT Champions’ Cup and $442,248 for his efforts.
This year’s version of the WPT Montreal has many buzzing that it might be the largest ever tournament in the history of the WPT (no small feat; in 2011, the Borgata Poker Open drew in 1313 entries). With three Day Ones scheduled through this weekend, players can take their time in getting to Montreal and getting into the tournament. For those that are on the ground for Day 1A, if they are eliminated they have the option of re-entry on either Day 1B, Day 1C or (if they have $3500 Canadian burning a hole in their pocket) both options (only one chip stack can move on to Day 2, however). Late registration each day goes until the end of Level 6, or until roughly 8PM each night.
A host of top pros have decided to make the WPT Montreal one of their stops as the 2013 tournament poker calendar comes to a close. The runner-up in the Premier League (to Sorel Mizzi), Gross decided to hang around and will be a part of the action on Friday. “Pumped to be back playing a WPT event here in Montreal at my favorite venue,” he chirped over Twitter just a few hours before the start of play.
Other pros are also either already on the ground or are on the way to the Playground for action. “En route to Montreal for WPT,” Mike ‘Timex’ McDonald tweeted as he offered swaps with his “regulars.” “Making my live comeback at WPT Montreal today,” tweeted online superstar Chris ‘Moorman1’ Moorman, “any tips are welcome.” 2013 World Series of Poker “November Niner” Marc-Etienne McLaughlin was also excited about the start of the tournament today, tweeting, “Let’s go Montreal Poker!” in an attempt to rev up the local talent. Jonathan Little issued a warning to his potential tablemates in tweeting, “My stack will likely get slung in the pot frequently,” and the lovely Christina Lindley added, “Montreal, hope you’re ready, here I come!”
For those that bust out of the WPT Montreal a bit earlier than they expect (and they have the extra dough), there will also be a High Roller event held at the Playground. That tournament, with its $10,000 buy-in, will begin on Tuesday. Other smaller events are also on the schedule for those with not-so-deep pockets.
The WPT Montreal signals the winding down of the 2013 WPT calendar year schedule. In December, two events are on the schedule, the traditional December stop at the Bellagio for the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic (December 6-11) and the inaugural WPT Korea (December 15-19). All eyes this week, however, will be cast towards the “Great White North” as the WPT Montreal looks to break records in the history of the WPT.
