The World Poker Tour (WPT) is a series of international poker tournaments featuring most of the world's

professional players. It was started in the United States by attorney/television producer Steven

Lipscomb, who now serves as CEO of WPT Enterprises (WPTE), the firm that controls the World Poker Tour.
The World Poker Tour is a collection of Texas hold 'em poker tournaments held internationally, but

mainly in the United States. The television show and the broadcasts of the World Series of Poker have

led to a boom in the table game across American homes, in local casino poker rooms and online. The key

sponsors of the tour are casinos and online poker sites. The show, which is syndicated internationally,

is co-hosted by World Series of Poker bracelet winner Mike Sexton, and actor Vince Van Patten. Shana

Hiatt served as the show host and sideline reporter in its first three seasons. Courtney Friel took over

the host role for the fourth season, and Sabina Gadecki for the fifth. Layla Kayleigh and Kimberly

Lansing began serving as hostesses in season six. WPT has not announced the television hostess for

season 7, while poker player and reporter Amanda Leatherman was hired in July 2008 to host "live

updates" on the World Poker Tour website.

In January 2008, the World Poker Tour announced a set of poker tournaments for women, known as WPT

Ladies. The first season had five events, with buy-ins ranging from $300 to $1,500. The final poker

table of the final event had been televised.