WPT Alpha8 High Roller Tournaments Added in London and Johannesburg
Key Takeaways
  • WPT’s Alpha8 London tournament is a two-day affair, with re-entry.
  • The London event will come with a £100,000 buyin and will take place in Mayfair’s Palm Beach Casino on October 28, 2013.
  • On February 14, 2014 the high-stakes Alpha8 makes its way to the Emperors Palace Hotel & Casino Resort in Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Both events are slated to be televised on FOX Sports 1.

Officials at the World Poker Tour (WPT) have announced two new stops for its super high roller Alpha8 tournament series. The first will take place in London, England this October, while the new Johannesburg, South Africa event is currently slated for February 2014.

WPT’s Alpha8 London tournament is a two-day affair, with re-entry, aimed at poker professionals of the highest caliber and the wealthy poker enthusiasts who want to sit with them. The London event will come with a £100,000 buyin and will take place in Mayfair’s Palm Beach Casino on October 28, 2013. The UK Alpha8 is a televised event and will hit the FOX Sports 1 airwaves in early 2014.

“We are very excited to name London as the second stop for our new Alpha8 series,” WPT President Adam Pliska comments. “With its long-standing reputation as one of the world’s premier cities and financial capitals, London offers all of the amenities any high-stakes poker player could possibly desire. Its combination of culture, fine dining, nightlife, and enthusiasm for high-stakes poker make it the perfect venue for a unique event such as Alpha8.”

On February 14, 2014 the high-stakes Alpha8 makes its way to the Emperors Palace Hotel & Casino Resort in Johannesburg, South Africa. The WPT hopes that the allure of another $100,000 buy-in and television coverage, again slated to air on FOX Sports 1, will encourage the high stakes set to plan their vacation around the tournament.

“South Africa is home to one of the most enthusiastic poker communities anywhere, and the gorgeous Emperors Palace Casino is truly a one-of-a-kind gaming destination,” Pliska notes. “The resort offers everything the discerning, high-stakes player wants, whether it’s world-class poker or the chance to enjoy an unforgettable vacation in one of the world’s most beautiful and exclusive destinations. Emperors Palace truly epitomizes what Alpha8 is all about.”

The Johannesburg stop offers more than just poker for those who make the trek and put up the $100k. The tour stop is offering VIP ground transportation, one week complimentary stay at the Doreale Grande Hotel, a VIP host and a free two-night safari to potentially see more wild animals than the sharks that will be at the tables.