Star Gold Coast To Host WPT Australia
Australian casinos are better-known for their table games and huge selection of pokies but poker is now the focus. The World Poker Tour (WPT) is heading to Australia for the first time in its history from September 27-October 7. Star Gold Coast is the chosen venue for the WPT’s first foray into Australia. Seventeen-years the WPT has been in full swing, but it has never stopped “Down Under.” That is about to change. WPT Australia takes place over 11 days of intense action, featuring 10 massive tournaments
WPT Australia Schedule
| Date | Time | Tournament | Buy-in (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 27 Sep | 17:30 | PT Australia Opening Event Day 1A | $1,100 |
| Sat 28 Sep | 11:30 | WPT Australia Opening Event Day 1B | $1,100 |
| Sun 29 Sep | 11:30 | WPT Australia Opening Event Final Day | |
| Sun 29 Sep | 13:30 | Super Stack Event | $660 |
| Mon 30 Sep | 17:30 | Turbo Freezeout | $330 |
| Tue 1 Oct | 17:30 | Pot-Limit Omaha | $440 |
| Wed 2 Oct | 16:15 | Big Bounty ($300 per bounty) | $660 |
| Thu 3 Oct | 13:30 | WPT Australia $5K Single Day | $5,000 |
| Thu 3 Oct | 16:15 | Mix Max Freezeout | $660 |
| Fri 4 Oct | 16:15 | WPT Australia Main Event Day 1A | $2,500 |
| Sat 5 Oct | 11:15 | WPT Australia Main Event Day 1B | $2,500 |
| Sat 5 Oct | 21:30 | WPT Australia Main Event Day 1C Turbo | $2,500 |
| Sun 6 Oct | 11:30 | WPT Australia Main Event Day 2 | |
| Sun 6 Oct | 18:15 | WPT Australia 5K Challenge | $5,000 |
| Mon 7 Oct | 12:15 | WPT Australia Main Event Final Day | |
| Mon 7 Oct | 12:30 | WPT Australia 5K Challenge Final Day | $5,000 |
| Mon 7 Oct | 13:15 | Deep Stack Freezeout | $500 |
Brand New Poker Room
The Star Gold Coast, located on Broadbeach Island, is unveiling a new-look poker room for the WPT festivities. Jessica Mellor, the casino’s Chief Operating Officer, said the new poker room is showing respect to poker players. Twelve permanent tables and nine tournament tables adorn the poker room. Each table is equipped with phone chargers for the players’ convenience.
Mellor said about the WPT coming to Australia, “Securing Australia’s inaugural WPT event is a fantastic coup for not only our city but for the state and the nation, and is a huge testament to our commitment to continually elevating our offering and cementing our reputation as an ever-evolving entertainment Mecca.”
Who Will Play at WPT Australia?
Australia is blessed with many talented poker tournament players. Some Aussie poker players left the country to continue their online poker careers, others stayed on home soil.
Cricket legend Shane Warne, formerly sponsored by 888, is set to play. Warne loves playing poker now his cricket playing days are over and he is one to watch in the WPT Australia Main Event.
Although not officially confirmed to play, it would be surprising if some of Australia’s biggest poker stars did not turn out for this inaugural festival. Former World Series of Poker Main Event champion Joe Hachem tops the Aussie all-time money listings with $12,627,313 in winnings. Others to look out for include Jeff Rossiter, Jonathan Karamalakis, James Obst, Daniel Neilson, Aaron Lim, and Grant Levy. It would be great for Michael Addamo, Kahle Burns, Martin Kozlov, and Andrew Hinrichsen to make an appearance.
About The Star Gold Coast
The Star Gold Coast is one of Star Entertainment Group’s properties, which opened in February 1986. It has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years. In 2006, $53 million was spent on the casino combining two gaming floors into one.
Australian casino game players can play at more than 70 tables, including blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Pokies aficionados have 1,600 pokies to choose from, one of the largest portfolios in Australia.
Several new pokies recently launched at Star Gold Coast. WMS’ Monopoly Hotel Tycoon and IGT’s Cleopatra Rising are just two new pokies.
Four new Lightning Link machines have been installed on the gaming floor, along with Mighty Coins, Cash Boost, Money Trials, and Bubble Blast.
Star Entertainment Group has come under fire of late with poor financial figures. Hundreds of Australian poker players, and scores more from further afield, descending on the Gold Coast property will go some way to boost those flagging fortunes.
