Live poker has been thriving in Hanoi, Vietnam, for the past two years, with multiple domestic tournaments running consistently. From May 19th to May 30th, players will have something special to look forward to when the World Poker Tour Season XX makes its way to the capital city with a brand new series named WPT Prime. This will be the world’s first glimpse at this new format, which was announced in February, and it promises to be quite profitable, with VN 15 billion (US$ 649.645) in guarantees. The tournament is held in the Crown Poker Club, which is located in the middle of the city. Here’s a little peek at what to anticipate and why it should be marked on your calendar.
WPT Vietnam Overview
Ever since 2018, WPT festivals have made a name for themselves as some of the most popular events in Vietnam, attracting players from all across the Asia Pacific. That year, WPT handed out a staggering US$ 1.92 Million in 2019, its greatest payout to date. Last year, the brand made its first visit to Hanoi, and amid the continuing global health crisis, it attracted a sizable crowd and a grand prize pool of approximately $775K. With Vietnam’s borders officially open to vaccinated international tourists, the introduction of WPT Prime is anticipated to test those statistics, laying the groundwork for future Asia stops in Cambodia and Taiwan.
WPT Vietnam Highlights
Main Event
To summarize the new lineup, the twelve-day festival has 24 trophy-bearing tournaments, five of which provide a guarantee. The Main Event is the central attraction, with a prize pool of VN 8 Billion (US$ 346,477)The tournament runs from May 26 to 30, with three starting days offered for the players. Action clocks will be implemented for the first time on Day 2, live updates will be provided throughout, and the final table will be televised live by acclaimed techno production ShareHand. New Zealand’s Hamish Crawshaw is the biggest WPT Vietnam Main Event winner, taking home approximately VN 3.7 billion (US$ 163K) in 2019. The entry fee is VN 25,000,000 (US$ 1,083). Players can participate for less money by participating in one of the satellite tournaments. The future Main Event winner will have a chance to brag about their win, as they will be the first-ever WPT Prime Main Event champion. On top of that, players can earn points on the WPT Player of the Year Season XX leaderboard.
WPT Opener
Players will be greeted into this thrilling new series with an appealing WPT Opener with a VN 2,500,000,000 (US$ 108,274) guarantee. The event takes place from May 19th to 22nd, with three registration start dates available. The entry fee is VN 8,800,000 (US$ 381). Players can enter for less by competing in one of the five satellites scheduled.
High Roller 2 Day Event
There are four events with high buy-ins on the schedule. These tend to distinguish the general public from those with larger bankrolls. The two-day High Roller tournament, which takes place on May 29th and 30th, is one of those tournaments. Players can win the VN 2,500,000,000 (US$ 108,274) guarantee with a buy-in of VN 66,000,000 (US$ 2,858). ShareHand will also live broadcast the final table.
Mystery Bounty
Mystery Bounty events have gained popularity in the United States, and they were brought to the Asian market this year. Players may participate in this exciting new format under the WPT Prime brand and win a share of the VN 1,000,000,000 (US$ 43,310) guarantee. The tournament takes place on May 23rd and 24th, with two starting flights available. The entry fee is VN 11,000,000 (US$ 476).
WPT Megastack Closer
On the last day, players will have one more chance to win big with the WPT Megastack Closer, which has a VN 1,000,000,000 (US$ 43,310) guarantee. The tournament will take place on May 30th, with a buy-in of VN 7,700,000 (US$333).
WPT Player of the Festival
At the end of the tournament series, the player with the most points will be crowned WPT Player of the Festival. The winner will get a WPT Passport worth up to US$ 5,000 for a Main Tour entry of their choosing as a reward for their accomplishment.
High Roller Events
On top of the High Roller 2 Day event, there are three more events that are expected to draw the big guns. The Super Stars Challenge Invitational, the most expensive event, takes place on Saturday, May 21st, with a buy-in of VN 210,000,000 (US$ 9,100).
After that tournament wraps up, on Sunday, May 22nd, there is a Single Day High Roller with a buy-in of VN 55,000,000 (US$ 2,380), and on Thursday, May 26, there is a Super High Roller two-day event with a buy-in of VN 107,000,000 (US$ 4,635).
In addition to these exciting tournaments, players may participate in a number of daily tournaments, including audience favorites like Deepstacks, Superstacks, Main Event Warm-Up, and Freezeouts. There is also one Tag Team event available. There will be a Short Deck event on May 24th and a two-day Pot-Limit Omaha tournament on May 25th and 26th.
Travel Info
Hanoi is one of the most charming cities in Southeast Asia. Players will have a chance to immerse themselves in the richness of the local culture. Touring temples and night markets are common attractions in the city. WPT has also secured special player rates at the Pullman Hanoi Hotel, which is right next to the poker venue. International players will have to exchange currency, as Vietnam uses Vietnamese Dong. There are many exchange counters in the city and airport.
Here is the full WPT Vietnam Schedule:
| Date | Event | Buy-in |
| May 19, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – WPT Opener (Event 1 – Day 1A) | Buy-in: 8,000,000 VND |
| May 19, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Deepstack (Event 2) | Buy-in: 4,000,000 VND |
| May 19, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Hyper Turbo (Event 3) | Buy-in: 3,000,000 VND |
| May 19, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Opener Satellite | Buy-in: 1,000,000 VND |
| May 19, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Opener Satellite | Buy-in: 1,000,000 VND |
| May 20, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Opener Satellite | Buy-in: 1,000,000 VND |
| May 20, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Turbo (Event 4) | Buy-in: 4,000,000 VND |
| May 20, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Deepstack Cheap Freeze (Event 4) | Buy-in: 3,000,000 VND |
| May 20, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – WPT Opener (Event 1 – Day 1B) | Buy-in: 8,000,000 VND |
| May 20, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Opener Satellite | Buy-in: 1,000,000 VND |
| May 21, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Opener Satellite | Buy-in: 1,000,000 VND |
| May 21, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – WPT Opener (Event 1 – Day 1C) | Buy-in: 8,000,000 VND |
| May 21, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – 2M VND Bounty (Event 6) | Buy-in: 6,000,000 VND |
| May 21, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – SuperStack Satellite | Buy-in: 700,000 VND |
| May 21, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Super Star Challenge Invitational | Buy-in: 100,000,000 VND |
| May 22, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – WPT Opener (Event 1 – Day 2) | Buy-in: 0 VND |
| May 22, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Mystery Bounty Satlelite | Buy-in: 1,850,000 VND |
| May 22, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Single Day High Roller (Event 8) | Buy-in: 50,000,000 VND |
| May 22, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – SuperStack (Event 7) | Buy-in: 6,000,000 VND |
| May 22, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – SuperStack Satellite | Buy-in: 700,000 VND |
| May 23, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Mystery Bounty Satlelite | Buy-in: 1,850,000 VND |
| May 23, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Mystery Bounty (Event 9 – Day 1A) | Buy-in: 10,000,000 VND |
| May 23, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Mystery Bounty (Event 9 – Day 1B) | Buy-in: 10,000,000 VND |
| May 23, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Hyper Turbo (Event 10) | Buy-in: 3,000,000 VND |
| May 24, 2022 | NoLimit Hold’em – 8 Max Main Event Warm Up Satellite | Buy-in: 21,000,000 VND |
| May 24, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Mystery Bounty (Event 9 – Day 2) | Buy-in: 0 VND |
| May 24, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – 8 Max Main Event Warm Up (Event 11 – Day 1) | Buy-in: 15,000,000 VND |
| May 24, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Short Deck (Event 12) | Buy-in: 6,000,000 VND |
| May 24, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Main Event Satellite | Buy-in: 3,600,000 VND |
| May 25, 2022 | No Limt Hold’em – Feeder to Mega Satellite | Buy-in: 700,000 VND |
| May 25, 2022 | Pot Limit Omaha (Event 15 – Day 1) | Buy-in: 10,000,000 VND |
| May 25, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Megastack (Event 14) | Buy-in: 5,000,000 VND |
| May 25, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – 8 Max Main Event Warm Up (Event 11 – Day 2) | Buy-in: 0 VND |
| May 25, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Main Event Mega Satellite | Buy-in: 3,600,000 VND |
| May 26, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Main Event Satellite | Buy-in: 3,150,000 VND |
| May 26, 2022 | Pot Limit Omaha (Event 15 – Day 2) | Buy-in: 0 VND |
| May 26, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – WPT Main Event (Event 16 – Day 1A) | Buy-in: 22,730,000 VND |
| May 26, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Super High Roller (Event 17 0 Day 1) | Buy-in: 100,000,000 VND |
| May 26, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Superstack Turbo | Buy-in: 5,000,000 VND |
| May 26, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Main Event Satellite | Buy-in: 3,600,000 VND |
| May 27, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Main Event Satellite | Buy-in: 3,150,000 VND |
| May 27, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Super High Roller (Event 17 – Day 2) | Buy-in: 0 VND |
| May 27, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – WPT Main Event (Event 16 – Day 1B) | Buy-in: 22,730,000 VND |
| May 27, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Freezeout (Event 19) | Buy-in: 7,000,000 VND |
| May 27, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Main Event Satellite | Buy-in: 3,600,000 VND |
| May 28, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Main Event Satellite | Buy-in: 3,600,000 VND |
| May 28, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – High Roller Satellite | Buy-in: 8,000,000 VND |
| May 28, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Tag Teams Freezeout (Event 20) | Buy-in: 6,000,000 VND |
| May 28, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – WPT Main Event (Event 16 – Day 1C) | Buy-in: 22,730,000 VND |
| May 29, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Superstack Classic Satellite | Buy-in: 1,000,000 VND |
| May 29, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – WPT Main Event (Event 16 – Day 2) | Buy-in: 0 VND |
| May 29, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Crown Poker Club Superstack Classsic Freezeout – Event 21 – Day 1) | Buy-in: 7,000,000 VND |
| May 29, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – High Roller (Event 22 – Day 2) | Buy-in: 60,000,000 VND |
| May 30, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Closer Satellite | Buy-in: 700,000 VND |
| May 30, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – Crown Poker Club Superstack Classic Freezeout (Event 21 – Day 2) | Buy-in: 0 VND |
| May 30, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – WPT Main Event (Event 16 – Final Table) | Buy-in: 0 VND |
| May 30, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – WPT Megastack Closer (Event 23) | Buy-in: 7,000,000 VND |
| May 30, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – High Roller (Event 22 – Day 2) | Buy-in: 60,000,000 VND |
| May 30, 2022 | No Limit Hold’em – WPT Superstack Closer Turbo | Buy-in: 15,000,000 VND |
