WPT Australia Star (QLD)

WPT AUSTRALIA 2024 – PREVIEW, SCHEDULE AND STRUCTURE ANALYSIS

Not long to go now as we welcome the World Poker Tour (WPT) back down under, so Australian Poker Schedule has put together a comprehensive analysis of the schedule and taken a look at the structures in detail, and share some of Binky’s thoughts about the festival.

As always The Star Gold Coast will look immaculate, one of the best locations in Australia, if not the world, the beautiful property perched only a short walk from sandy beaches and crashing waves. The Gold Coast glitter strip is a great destination all year around but the Spring is a wonderful time with the weather averaging a pleasant 24 degrees.

Satellites have been ramping up over the last month with players keen to win their ticket into WPT Australia Championship.

The best structured (5-day) tournament in Australia, the WPT Championship Main Event also comes with the prestige of getting your name engraved on the magnificent Mike Sexton Champions Cup.

Once again the festival will host the annual Shane Warne Perpetual Trophy One-Dayer Charity Event, as well as 23 trophies in total (up from 16 in 2023).

With that in mind the increase in events seems to be mainly turbos, especially for players wanting to buy-in for less than $800 having a chance to play anything other than a turbo. The one exception which was the same in 2023 is for the females? a $675 Ladies Australian Championship with 30 minute levels looks to be a great event, however it is restricted to just the women. Three events have 12 minutes blinds which do not exclude the men, including a $2K Ultimate Turbo, $1,250 Extreme Turbo Freezeout and the $600 Flat Out Freezeout. If you’re in a hurry to get down to the beach and Hyper Turbos are your thing, you’re in luck because from WPT Liechtenstein to Nottingham to Montreal these are not a thing, 12 minute blinds are exclusive to WPT Australia on the Gold Coast. For those who like slightly longer levels there are also three 15 minute blind turbo events, and four turbo events with 20 minute blinds, 10 turbos in total on the 23 event schedule. Fast paced action aplenty.

Binky’s top picks for the WPT Australia Festival.

4⭐️ 86pts EV #1 $1,500 Opening Event 2-Day (30’/45′ Lvls)
4⭐️ 82pts EV #5 $1,650 MYSTERY BOUNTY 2-Day (30’/40′ Lvls) – The Star Gold Coast still do the best Mystery Bounty Event in Australia, the props, the theatre and MC Tanera, this event is always fun even just to be in the room with that atmosphere.
4⭐️ 74pts EV #9 $800 Pot-Limit Omaha (30′ Lvls)
4⭐️ 74pts EV #10 $675 LADIES AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP (30’Lvls) – The best structured event in this price bracket, but sorry guys it’s restricted to Ladies
4⭐️ 108pts EV #17 $2,000 MINI-CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT 2-Day (40’Lvls)- Blokes are allowed in this one, it’s just like 3 bullets in the Ladies Championship.
3.5⭐️ 47pts EV #13 $880 SHANE WARNE LEGACY PERPETUAL TROPHY EVENT (TURBO 20’Lvls) – This is a great reason to play a turbo, a One-dayer for our great mate in poker and the legend that is Shane Warne, and support a charity.

..and for the Satellite qualifiers, High Rollers and Professionals that haven’t been banned without any explanation at at all

5⭐️ 203pts EV #15 WPT AUSTRALIA CHAMPIONSHIP MAIN EVENT $8,000 (7400+600) 5-Day (60’/90’Lvls) – Still the Deepest Structured Event in Australia with the most prestigious trophy to come to our shores.
4.5⭐️ 116pts EV #14 $20K Super High Roller $20,000 2-Day (40’/60’Lvls)
4⭐️ 102pts EV #18 $10K (9,500+500) WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WARM UP (40’Lvls) – Rake Increase – 2023 10K (9600+400)
4⭐️ 103pts EV #21 $5K (4,600+400) HIGH ROLLER PLO (40’Lvls) – Rake Increase – 2023 5K (4,700+300)

There are also opportunities throughout the series to win satellites into many of the events, and quite a few events include packages for the winner to the WPT World Championship in Las Vegas in December.

𝐖𝐏𝐓 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝟐𝟑 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬
𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡 – 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭

𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 has analysed every structure and uploaded all of the details to our site for 𝐘𝐎𝐔 using our structure calculator, here are the structure points scores and star ratings for all 23 events.

4⭐️ 86pts EV #1 $1,500 Opening Event 2-Day (30’/45′ Lvls)
3⭐️ 28pts EV #2 $600 FLAT OUT FREEZEOUT ONE DAY EVENT (HYPER-TURBO 12’Lvls)
3⭐️ 34pts EV #3 $575 PLO TURBO ONE DAY EVENT (TURBO 15’Lvls)
3.5⭐️ 44pts EV #4 $675 SHARK BAIT ONE DAY EVENT (FREEZEOUT) (TURBO 20’Lvls)
4⭐️ 82pts EV #5 $1,650 MYSTERY BOUNTY 2-Day (30’/40′ Lvls)
3⭐️ 27pts EV #6 $880 ULTRA TURBO ONE DAY EVENT (HYPER-TURBO 12’Lvls)
4⭐️ 82pts EV #7 $5K (4,600+400) 8 MAX (30′ Lvls) – Rake Increase – 2023 5K (4,700+300). For comparison 2024 APL Million 5K (4,700+300) Shot-clock Challenge was 40′ lvls and rated 4.5⭐️ 121pts
4⭐️ 74pts EV #8 $1,150 OUTBACK SURVIVOR BOUNTY 20% $2K KOs (30’Lvls)
4⭐️ 74pts EV #9 $800 PLO (30′ Lvls)
4⭐️ 74pts EV #10 $675 LADIES AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP (30’Lvls) – The best structured event in this price bracket is restricted to Ladies. Sadly just like in 2023 once again there is not a 30 minute level structured regular event open to all players at this buy-in range.
3⭐️ 34pts EV #11 $575 TRUE BLUE TURBO (TURBO 15’Lvls)
4⭐️ 86pts EV #12 $880 BONZA BOUNTY $400 KOS (30’Lvls)
3.5⭐️ 47pts EV #13 $880 SHANE WARNE LEGACY PERPETUAL TROPHY EVENT (TURBO 20’Lvls)
4.5⭐️ 116pts EV #14 $20K Super High Roller $20,000 2-Day (40’/60’Lvls)
5⭐️ 203pts EV #15 WPT AUSTRALIA CHAMPIONSHIP MAIN EVENT $8,000 (7400+600) 5-Day (60’/90’Lvls) – Deepest Structured Event in Australia – Rake Increase – 2023 8K (7500+500)
3⭐️ 34pts EV #16 $2K ULTIMATE TURBO ONE DAY EVENT (FREEZEOUT) (TURBO 15’Lvls)
4⭐️ 108pts EV #17 $2,000 MINI-CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT 2-Day (40’Lvls)
4⭐️ 102pts EV #18 $10K (9,500+500) WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WARM UP (40’Lvls) – Rake Increase – 2023 10K (9600+400)
3⭐️ 28pts EV #19 $1,250 EXTREME TURBO ONE DAY EVENT (FREEZEOUT) (HYPER-TURBO 12’Lvls)
4⭐️ 74pts EV #20 $1,150 WPT WORLD CHAMPS ROAD TO VEGAS 2-Day (30’Lvls)
4⭐️ 103pts EV #21 $5K (4,600+400) HIGH ROLLER PLO (40’Lvls) – Rake Increase – 2023 5K (4,700+300)
3.5⭐️ 49pts EV #22 $1,150 PREMIER PLO ONE DAY EVENT (TURBO 20’Lvls)
3.5⭐️ 47pts EV #23 $675 FINALE (FREEZEOUT) (TURBO 20’Lvls)

✅️ Complimentary Players Party , usually included beverages and canapes – Sunday 22nd September 9pm
✅️Final Table Merch – If you happen to make one of the 23 final tables this festival, you’ll score yourself an exclusive co-branded jacket.
✅️ WPT Player of the Series awarded to overall points leader, with no additional money taken from prize pool – TBA
✅️ Parking at The Star Gold Coast
All players taking part in the WPT Prime Gold Coast events will be entitled to complimentary parking. To ensure you receive your complimentary parking, please follow the below steps:
1 – Collect a manual ticket when entering the carpark (do not swipe your Membership Card).
2 – When purchasing your tournament entry at the Poker Desk, present your parking ticket where it will be stamped by the Poker Team.
3 – Prior to exiting the building, take your stamped ticket to the Parking Desk (located at the top of the stairs next to the Concierge Desk). They will then issue you with a validated parking ticket.
4 – Use the validated ticket to exit the carpark
✅️ Star Poker Gold Coast has previously announced via Facebook, that restrictions on playing time do not apply to poker tournaments, but it does apply to cash games and other gaming, keep this in mind and obey all responsible gaming staff directions. Australian Poker Schedule encourages responsible gambling, refer to link below https://www.starentertainmentgroup.com.au/starcare/

⚠️Tournaments are played under QLD Casino Gaming Rules and not all standard TDA rules apply, it is up to the player to be aware of the rules at each event. See Attached combined PDF below, it has the rules at the end.

⚠️The Tournament Director reserves the right to call time and suspend action on a tournament, at their ultimate discretion if they believe it will not be completed within a twelve-hour period for that day’s play, or to support any other responsible gambling initiative as deemed necessary. If time is called by a Tournament Director, the remaining entrants will return the following day at an agreed time to continue play and complete the tournament. Returning entrants will be seated at the same table and seat number when time was called, and play was suspended on the previous day. The Tournament Director will advise the returning entrants of the blind schedule prior to the commencement of the day’s play.
⚠️ The Star poker room, just like most venues has limited tables which may mean large numbers of alternates, players advised to arrive early or register the day before, nb. stack goes into play if preregistered.
⚠️ You must be a Member of The Star Club – Joining is free and you can start the process before you arrive via this link: www.thestarclub.com.au/sign-up
⚠️ Buy-in Process
Tournament entries can be purchased in-person at the Poker Desk with cash, gaming chips or via EFTPOS terminal (fees apply), using debit cards only (credit cards are not accepted). The cash limit at the Poker Desk is $5,000 per transaction. Any cash transactions over this amount, should be done at the cashier. Chips can then be used to complete the tournament buy-in. 𝗗𝗢 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗦𝗪𝗔𝗣 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗣𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗛 𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗣𝗦 𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗛 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥𝗦
⚠️ 0.85% fee for EFTPOS transactions and ATM fees $3.00 – Standard but they add up!

Full Series Schedule, Structures and Star Rules PDF below – 100 Pages

https://australianpokerschedule.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/WPT-Australia-2024-Combined.pdf

Check out and bookmark our site https://australianpokerschedule.com.au

Don’t forget to try out our structure calculator to see which events suit your game
https://australianpokerschedule.com.au/structure-calculator/
*Photo courtesy of WPT