World Series of Poker’s Tournament of Champions is Back

After four years in the wilderness the WSOP Tournament of Champions has returned. Harrah’s have announced the format of the new championship which will see the world’s best poker players pitted together in a $1m freeroll.

Fans of poker will be able to vote in their favourite 20 WSOP bracelet winners who will then compete for this prestigious prize. Harrah’s VP Ty Stewart announced;

“The Tournament of Champions brand has heritage in delivering the big moments. We’re thrilled to reinvent it around a model that should elevate the game by engaging million of poker fans.”

The WSOP Tournament of Champions was last held in 2006 when Mike Sexton held off the challenges of Daniel Negreanu and Mike Matusow to take the $1m first prize. Matusow was the reigning champion at the time having won in 2005 and Annie Duke won the inaugural event in 2004 banking $2m as the other nine players went home empty handed.

Along with the top 20 bracelet winners have been decided there are guaranteed places for the three past winners and Main Event champion Joe Cada and WSOP Europe Main Event winner Barry Shulman. In addition there will be two sponsor exemptions to be awarded by the WSOP with details yet to be released on how these can be won.

Annie Duke expressed her joy at the return on one of the most eagerly anticipated tournaments:

“Tournaments like the Tournament of Champions help elevate poker to the level it deserves and I am honoured to participate. Winning the Tournament of Champions marks one of the most memorable events in my poker career and I’m ecstatic that the WSOP is hosting this prestigious event.”

The event will start on Sunday June 27^th at the Rio in Vegas and will play down to a final table of 9 who will get back together to slug it out on July 4^th for a share of $1m. ESPN will be broadcasting the event for viewers to see.