The World Poker Tour (WPT) has matured into a gaming giant, and is celebrating its 20th season all year long. The Legends of Poker is currently underway at The Bicycle Casino and Restaurant, also known as “the Bike”. WPT has returned to “the Bike” for the first time after the pandemic.
The Bicycle Casio and Restaurant has special importance as it was one of the few casinos that believed in the WPT vision some 20 years ago. The World Poker Tour (WPT) CEO Adam Pliska said, two decades ago, this casino was among a handful that took a massive risk on a new initiative known as World Poker Tour. Twenty years later, this facility has produced some of the greatest poker players, and you can see them on the wall, Pliska added.
Some big names on the wall include the 2004 event champion and poker legend Doyle Brunson. His banner is at the entrance of the hallway. Mel Judah’s banner stands nearby, indicating his win in the 2003 WPT Legends of Poker event. On the left side of Judah, Chris Karagulleyan’s banner catches the eyes of viewers. The champion won the first event of the WPT for $258,000 in 2002.
WPT Legends of Poker Winners
Year | Entry Fee | Champion | Participants | Prize Pool | Top Prize |
2002 | $5,000 | Chris Karagulleyan | 134 | $583,380 | $258,000 |
2003 | $5,000 | Mel Judah | 309 | $1,545,000 | $579,375 |
2004 | $5,000 | Doyle Brunson | 667 | $3,335,000 | $1,198,260 |
2005 | $5,000 | Alex Kahaner | 839 | $4,195,000 | $1,151,900 |
2006 | $10,000 | Joe Pelton | 466 | $4,520,200 | $1,602,670 |
2007 | $10,000 | Dan Harrington | 485 | $4,607,500 | $1,599,865 |
2008 | $10,000 | John Phan | 373 | $3,520,738 | $1,116,428 |
2009 | $10,000 | Pharlad Friedman | 279 | $2,625,000 | $1,009,000 |
2010 | $5,000 | Andy Frankenberger | 462 | $2,151,072 | $750,000 |
2011 | $3,700 | Will Failla | 757 | $2,570,015 | $758,085 |
2012 | $3,700 | Josh Hale | 622 | $2,111,690 | $500,000 |
2013 | $3,700 | Jordan Cristos | 716 | $2,430,820 | $613,355 |
2014 | $3,700 | Harry Arutyunyan | 593 | $2,172,994 | $576,369 |
2015 | $3,700 | Mike Chariati | 786 | $2,630,349 | $675,942 |
2016 | $4,000 | Pat Lyons | 687 | $2,465,643 | $615,346 |
2017 | $4,000 | Art Papazyan | 763 | $2,738,407 | $668,692 |
2019 | $5,000 | Aaron Van Blarcum | 520 | $2,392,000 | $474,390 |
2022 | $5,250 | —————– | 642 | $3,113,700 | $573,350 |
The 20th birthday of the WPT was celebrated with a cake, and Mo Fathipour from the Parkwest Bicycle Casino bought the dinner for the guests. Matt Savage, the WPT Executive Tour Director, welcomed the players to the final flight and said staff is the heart of this event and the management team is as important as others.
After the conclusion of the 2022 WPT Legends of Poker, the tour’s next destination is Florida, where the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Tampa will start on September 2.
Remaining WPT Events Schedule
Dates | Event | Entry Fee | Venue |
September 2-7 | WPT Seminole Hard Rock Tampa | $3,500 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa |
September 23-27 | WPT Australia | $5,400 AUD | The Star Gold Coast |
October 19-23 | WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic | $10,400 | Bellagio Resort and Casino |
November 25-30 | WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open | $3,500 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood |
December 12-18 | WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas | $10,400 | Wynn Las Vegas |
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