The Top 4 WSOP and Poker Locations Around the World
Introduction
The World Series Of Poker (WSOP) has provided poker fans and players with the most memorable moment in the game's history. Due to the glamor and money involved in elite poker, there's considerable international interest in watching the game's elite battle it out for prize pools that often exceed $10 million. The idea for the World Series Of Poker emerged in the late 1960s, and for decades, the tournament exclusively took place in casinos in Las Vegas.
The initial World Series Of Poker tournament aimed to provide more international visibility, increase sponsorship, and attract the top players in the world out to the Nevada desert. As the tournament began gaining momentum, tournament organizers quickly understood the potential and reach, which resulted in expansions to other continents, opening the door to some truly remarkable host cities and destinations.
#4 - Las Vegas
Considered the home of WSOP, Las Vegas is a gambling mecca synonymous with entertainment and glamour, embellished by the vivid and scintillating sensory spectacle of the beautiful lights and desert backdrop. Vegas remains the home of the world-famous card game tournament, and due to the emergence of video streaming services online and a significant television deal, increasing numbers of people make the trip each year to watch the tournament unfold. WSOP tournaments and matches are a huge event in the Vegas calendar. Still, there's now a variety of tournaments on other continents, and over the last decade, poker fans have been treated to some other poker destinations outside of America, too.
#3 - Johannesburg, South Africa
The WSOP in Africa doesn't have the same level of popularity as the original tournament, but poker events that have happened there have stirred up interest in the region. The 2012 tournament showcased some of the beautiful scenery and architecture in South Africa. As one of the largest cities on the African continent, it was only fitting that the revamped version of WSOP in Africa took place in such a unique and intriguing location.
South Africa might not be the first country you consider a top WSOP destination. However, it is a country on the rise, with tourism and GDP ramping up over the last ten years. Although WSOP Africa has struggled to get off the ground the way it has in other continents, with time, money, and an effective marketing strategy, there should be no reason poker can find a substantial audience.
There's so much potential in Africa, and with resorts that are perfect for hosting such events scattered across the continent, there'll likely be a few more destinations we could add to this list if the tournament's popularity begins to pick up.
#2 - Cannes, France
WSOP Europe goes from strength to strength each year with so many different locations for the organizers to choose between, including Cannes. The tournament's success boils down to some of the unique rules the tournament organizers have put in place. The 2011 tournament was the first to occur outside of London, England, so organizers wanted to ensure the outcome was a resounding success. They picked one of the most beautiful settings in Europe to showcase just how serious they were about making it a memorable event for players and fans. For professionals who participate in WSOP Europe, there's a specific dress code that evokes shades of James Bond, a real suit-and-tie affair.
While the money offered in WSOP might not match the fictional $100 million+ amount wagered in Bond's famous scene against Le Chiffre, the dress code and picturesque French Riviera setting make Cannes one of the top WSOP destinations ever. The European leg of WSOP has historically succeeded more than the attempt to establish the tournament in Africa, but that’s not to say the destinations don’t have an ethereal charm about them. Daniel Negreanu is anticipated to appear at this year's WSOP Europe fresh from creating his popular Masterclass, which shows how appealing the tournament is to the top names in the game.
#1 - Melbourne, Australia
Before WSOP expanded into new continents, a decent number of poker fans down under had to settle for watching the top tournaments on television. Following the ambitious plans to expand to multiple continents, the WSOP Asia Pacific launched in 2013. While a casino in the center of a bustling city like Melbourne might not seem like one of the top destinations, we're referring to the broader destination of Australia.
The population of Australia isn’t so huge, but the physical size of the enormous country dwarfs 95% of other nations, with only Russia, the United States, China, Brazil, and Canada having a larger land mass. Melbourne is one of the top cities in the world to live in, consistently ranking in the top 10, and with a gambling culture that helps games like poker generate an audience, with many top players hailing from down under, we're sure there'll be plenty more big poker tournaments taking place in Australia in the years to come.
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