The WPT Invitational as a Freeroll Poker Tournament
All those people and poker enthusiasts who are in search for a classic example of a freeroll poker tournament can always take a trip back into memory lane with a glance at the very exciting WPT Invitational tournament that was held from the 25th to the 26th of February 2004. This prestigious poker event was featured in the successful second season of the World Poker Tour.
This freeroll poker tournament was held at the luxurious Commerce Casino in the beautiful city of Los Angeles in California. The event was graced by different kinds of serious poker players including poker contest winners, lots of poker pros, and several poker celebrities. The game was very exciting from the start until its very end.
At the very root of the excitement of this event was a $100,000 grand prize waiting for the ultimate winner of the event. Not only that, the champion would also earn a guaranteed seat at the WPT Championship at the end of this World Poker Tour season. This seat is valued at $25,000. Without having to spend a single dime, all the players who participated in the event battle it out for poker supremacy.
This WPT Invitational was indeed a very good example of freeroll poker tournaments as the participants did not shed out any money just to participate. All the players were actually invited into this poker showdown to determine who really the best in the game of poker is. Those who made it to the final table displayed everything they got and showed to the world why they really deserve such glorious invitation from the World Poker Tour.
Those who were able to reach the final table of that freeroll event were Antonio Esfandiari, Humberto Brenes, Harry Demetriou, Joe Cassidy, Phil Laak, and John Juanda. It was Esfandiari who first got eliminated as he went all-in against the hand of Laak. Next to be eliminated from the table was Demetriou. Those who closely followed him were Cassidy and Juanda. In the end of the final round, it was Laak who ended up going against Brenes for the pot. As they excitingly displayed their hands, Laak proved to be superior with an impressive over Brenes for the much sought after pot.
After this event, Laak found himself a $100,000 richer. All the other players lost nothing but they failed in their quest to bag the very big pot. A classic example of freeroll poker indeed, the WPT Invitational ended in beauty and marked another successful tournament for the second season of the World Poker Tour.