by Mario Alfonsi | Published on Jan 27, 2021 | Updated on Jan 27, 2021
The latest edition of the World Championship of Amateur Poker (WCOAP) is well underway on partypoker, having kicked off on January 23. The series, which will run through to February 8, is giving away $750,000 in guaranteed prize money, making it the biggest event in the festival’s long history.
WCOAP is organized by the Amateur Poker Association & Tour (APAT), the first national poker tour in the UK. Since its launch in 2006, APAT has grown to become the largest organization for amateur players in Europe.
APAT is currently headed by Leigh Wiltshire, and he recently shared how APAT managed to achieve consistent growth over the years. The CEO also talked about APAT’s partnership with partypoker, which is currently playing host to the 2021 WCOAP.
Some of the talented players taking part in this tournament include Igor Asyamov, Brendan Byrne, Matty Ogilvie, Dan Owston and Sophie Clarke.
Being at the helm of APAT, Wiltshire is responsible for the overall strategic and operational executions within the organization.
He has witnessed how APAT and the WCOAP have grown over the years. Wiltshire said they have always been focused on growth, but they also remain committed to maintaining the community feel within the organization as well as its ethos and core values. It is for this reason that the APAT always puts the players first in all its decisions. And this strategy works for them every time.
APAT-partypoker Partnership
The COVID-19 pandemic forced a lot of changes to APAT’s operations, particularly in the live poker arena. The WCOAP was traditionally held as a live event but it had to be moved online due to the ongoing global health crisis. Thankfully, its partnership with partypoker made it all possible.
Wiltshire said APAT and partypoker share the same goals, values, passion and commitment of bringing poker to the masses. The collaboration was forged through the help of Dusk Till Dawn owner Rob Yong, who is also a well-known advocate for amateur games.
2021 WCOAP Highlights
The 2021 WCOAP schedule is filled with exciting events, but like all other festivals, the Main Event attracts the most attention. This year’s WCOAP Main Event offers $150,000 in guarantees, and apart from the top prize, the winner also takes home a bespoke bracelet and the coveted WCOAP Main Event title.
Apart from the Main Event, Wiltshire is also looking forward to the Heads Up Championship, Bounty Championship and 7-Card Stud Championship.
