North American Poker Championship Starts Today in Niagara

Poker pro John Juanda was at the final table of the WPT North American Poker Championship last year. (Bodog Beat Image)

The next stop in the WPT's sixth season, the WPT North American Poker Championship, kicks off today in Niagara Falls, and the Canadians will be looking to extend their domination of this tournament held on their home soil.

The final table (which at the WPT is only six players) of last year's event consisted of only one non-native son, poker pro John Juanda, who eventually finished in fifth place. Last year's champion, Soren Turkewitsch (ergo a Canadian), took home $1,380,378 CAD ($ 1,225,920 USD) for the win and will be in the field to defend his title. No word on if they were all wearing Canadian flags to make sure they weren't mistaken for anything else.

The $10,000 CAD buy-in championship event will kick off right around noon today with three flights of Day 1 anticipated to manage the more than 500 players who are expected to turn out, including some star power. Players will get to choose whether to start today, tomorrow or Sunday. With seven 90 minute levels scheduled for each Day 1, the action will probably continue past midnight. However, once the field consolidates into Day 2, the schedule shortens a bit to five levels a day, which means play will most likely wrap at about 9:30 p.m.

In a change for this year, the final table is rumored to be taking place on the Maid of the Mist boat ride with all participants decked out in yellow ponchos.* This battle to be crowned the next WPT millionaire will take place on November 2and begin at 3 p.m EST.

* Patently untrue in every way

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