Did The World Poker Tour Dump Doyle!?

Legend's name omitted from Bellagio mainstay tournament.

Did The World Poker Tour Dump Doyle!?
© World Poker Tour.

For years, including last year, Bellagio’s big December tournament laid claim to one of the biggest names in poker: Doyle Brunson.

The WPT Doyle Brunson Five Diamond Poker Classic seemed to be a mainstay in the WPT schedule honoring the legendary godfather of poker while carrying the prestige a tournament holds that bears his name. But here in 2014…that name is nowhere to be found.

Not on the WPT website. Not on the Bellagio website. And according to a representative on the Bellagio floor not on the signage at the tournament. (to be fair, we’re taking his word for it.)

So, did the WPT dump the “Doyle”? Honestly, we just don’t know. We tried to find out, we asked around but it seems like we were the only ones who noticed. (Likely, the only ones who care.)

The WPT has had a long history with Doyle’s name. Back in 2004 and 2005, the WPT changed their Festa Al Lago tournament into the Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship. In Season 5, the Brunson NAPC was pushed to Dec – this date would become the 5 Diamond. In Season 6 it was simply the Doyle Brunson Classic Championship. Then in Season 7, Chino Rheem won the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic. Season’s 8 & 9 the Five Diamond also kept his name. Then in Season 10, Doyle’s name seems to be omitted on the website but it appears in the press release announcing James Dempsey’s victory. Finally, in Seasons 11 and 12, Doyle gets his due.

So, is this a random omission or the end of an era? Maybe it was just an oversight (like in Season10), maybe Doyle’s done lending his name out or maybe the name of the tournament is like this post – just too damn long.

We put in as much research as we were willing to for such a frivolous, speculative post – so if you know, let us know!

Either way, it doesn’t look like Doyle’s holding anything against the Bellagio since he indicated that he’s planning on playing there straight through the holidays.

Of course that too could be in dispute. Doyle also indicated via Twitter that he was planning in playing in America’s Cardroom $1M guarantee this past weekend (which didn’t happen).

That led to some of his fans asking a few questions…

and Doyle giving out answers…

Now that’s classic.

But here’s the good news, Doyle or no Doyle the WPT Five Diamond is officially underway and many of the biggest names in the game are on hand to play. Check out all the Live Updates over at the World Poker Tour website.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG) helpline at 1-888-532-3500
published 8 years, 3 months ago • by • permalink

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