The WPT World Championship season finale culminates in Las Vegas, USA, with several champions crowned. However, it was the record-breaking WPT Prime that earned the most attention, surpassing all expectations.
Record-breaking WPT Prime
The main event, which generated 5,430 entries like this a year ago, increased its guarantee to a whopping 5 million this year. With a buy-in of $1,100, organizers needed at least the same player turnout.
The first days of play literally broke the bank. Players were treated to four flights, during which players jumped into the tournament a record 10,512 times.
- Day 1A - 1,636 entries
- Day 1B - 2,198 entries
- Day 1C - 2,921 entries
- Day 1D - 3,757 entries
The prizepool surpassed the guarantee by double to reach a massive $10,196,640. A fabulous $1,386,280 prize awaits the winner of the WPT Prime, which someone will take home during the televised final table on December 19.
Up to1,309 players in Day 2
As many as 1,309 players made it to Day 2 of play, starting the day with Level 17 - 5,000/10,000 Ante 10,000. Ten one-hour levels were on the schedule, which eventually whittled the field down to 128 players. Those players will unwrap their stacks on Day 3, when we will also get to know the final table. Calvin Anderson has the best run, bagging up 10,750,000 in chips, giving him the best chance in the battle for the title.
| Payout 1st-10th | Payout 11th-56th | Payout 57th-144th |
| 1st: $1,386,280 | 11th-12th: $106,000 | 57th-64th: $16,600 |
| 2nd: $910,000 | 13th-14th: $83,500 | 65th-72nd: $13,900 |
| 3rd: $675,000 | 15th-16th: $66,500 | 73rd-80th: $11,840 |
| 4th: $505,000 | 17th-20th: $53,500 | 81st-88th: $10,100 |
| 5th: $380,000 | 21st-24th: $43,200 | 89th-104th: $8,600 |
| 6th: $290,000 | 25th-32nd: $35,200 | 105th-120th: $7,260 |
| 7th: $225,000 | 33rd-40th: $28,800 | 121st-144th: $6,060 |
| 8th: $173,000 | 41st-48th: $23,800 | |
| 9th-10th: $135,850 | 49th-56th: $19,800 |
On Day 3, we'll get to know the final table lineup
Day 3 kicks off with a level 27 75k/125k ante of 125k and will run down to the last 6 players. They will then compete in the final day on December 19 for a record $1,386,280
Source - WorldPokerTour, Flickr