The World Poker Tour decision to relocate this year’s Championship to Atlantic City after years at the Bellagio in Las Vegas has had a sobering consequence; there have been fewer buy-ins at 328 entries vs. last year’s 545.
Comparing the numbers, this year’s event has generated a prize pool of $4,852,400 which will see the last 36 players standing cash and the winner take home a potential $1,310,146.
Comparative numbers from last year show that a prize pool of $13,216,250 was achieved, making it possible for 100 survivors to cash, with almost $3.4 million going to winner David Chiu (see previous reports).
The disparity has triggered speculation that the potential player field from New York City, Philadelphia and the Baltimore/Washington, DC areas has not materialised, or that travel access to Atlantic City is not as hassle-free as it is to Las Vegas.
Despite the disappointing entry field, the action has been frenetic and exciting at the Borgata as the entry field was whittled down to a final table, which was arrived at Friday.
Leading the final table with 5,650,000 chips is the formidable Keven Stammen, who faces Byron Kaverman (4,070,000); Abraham Korotki (2,560,000); Curt Kohlberg (1,580,000); Tony Dunst (1,330,000) and Ryan D’Angelo, the low stack on 1,220,000 chips.