With $10 million of that massive $30 million guaranteed prizepool going to the winner, the proposal has grabbed significant attention.
Some have speculated that this could simply be a publicity stunt, but Laurent Tapie, the son of Bernard Tapie, indicated otherwise:
“The ISPT is the largest poker event of all times and in the future will be held annually. The tournament series will always be held in famous stadiums in various countries.”
A contract has been signed with Wembley stadium with 20,000-30,000 players predicted to participate in the world's largest tournament. Qualifications are to begin in January 2012.
ISPT Promotional video:
The actual event will see to 30,000 players on Day 1 playing on electronic terminals within the stadium. They will be playing online competing simultaneously on dedicated software and electronic pads offered to them. Then 3,000 players would advance to real poker tables on Day 2. On Day 3, 1,000 competitors play down to 250 players. On Day 4, a final table of 10 would be established. Day 5 would play out the lucrative final table that will split a roughly $17.5 million remaining prizepool, of which $10 million goes to the eventual winner.
The founders of IGST are listed as Bernard Tapie, his 36-year-old son Laurent and Prosper Masquelier. There are significant ties and background with the Partouche gambling group were the younger two worked for several years. IMG Worldwide has been selected as the exclusive distributor of TV rights. Orange telecom has been selected as the exclusive Wi-Fi and equipment provider for the tournament.
