What Is WPT® Wildcard? The New Poker Format Built for Creators & Social Media Fans

Why WPT® Wildcard?

Poker viewership has shifted in recent times. 

Platforms like Twitch, Kick, and YouTube have made stars out of streamers who mix poker with entertainment. Poker steamers such as Daniel Petersen and Dnegs are drawing big audiences and high viewership times.

Long 12-hour tournaments don’t always fit the streaming format (which tends to be faster paced), which is why WPT® created Wildcard:

• Faster – Blind levels trimmed to ~15 minutes.
• Interactive – Audience engagement and viral moments are baked in.
• Inclusive – Creators and fans can enter through “wildcard” invites, sitting alongside pros.

In short, it’s poker adapted for the ever changing, fast paced digital world of today. 

Key Features of WPT® Wildcard

• Wildcard entries for creators & fans → influencers and community members get their shot.
• Faster structure, shorter levels → built for clips, not marathons. (Example: blind levels trimmed to ~15 minutes, keeping the action constant.)
• Interactive by design → audience engagement and shareable moments are baked in.
• Power-ups & penalties → The new format introduces power-ups and penalties, including Respawn (re-entering with an average stack after busting), New River, Table Swap, Button Ban, Bounty Forfeit, and more.

What Fans Can Expect

You’ll have plenty of big personalities, bold plays, and tons of clips destined for your feed. 

WPT® Wildcard won’t include 12-hour marathons seen in the past, it’s poker designed for streaming, with the same high-stakes drama packed into shorter, snappier sessions.

By opening the doors to creators and casual fans, WPT® is expanding beyond traditional poker audiences. This opens the door for new audiences to discover the game. 

WPT® Wildcard makes the game more accessible, more watchable, and more shareable, pulling poker into the heart of today’s entertainment culture.

Upcoming Events

It’s an exciting time for the new Wildcard format, as the debut is fast approaching this month. 

Upcoming Wildcard events debut during WPT® Prime Lodge (October), including Heart Attack Poker livestream October 8 and Mystery Bounty Wildcard on October 12.

The “Mystery Bounty Wildcard Chaos” event has a $300 buy-in and a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool.

FAQ

1. What is WPT® Wildcard?
WPT® Wildcard is a new poker format launched by the World Poker Tour®. 

It allows creators, streamers, and fans to compete in faster games, with social media and live streaming in mind. 

2. How does WPT® Wildcard work?
Unlike traditional long-format tournaments, WPT® Wildcard features shorter levels, wildcard entries for influencers and community members, and built-in audience engagement. 

The goal? To create highlight-worthy, shareable poker moments.

3. Can anyone play WPT® Wildcard?
Yes, WPT® Wildcard is designed to be more inclusive. 

While professional players can take part, spots are also open to creators and fans through wildcard entries, making it accessible to a broader audience.

4. Where can I watch WPT® Wildcard?

Fans can watch WPT® Wildcard live on the official World Poker Tour streaming channels, including YouTube.