The World Poker Tour (WPT) is a series of Texas holdem poker tournaments, played out internationally, but more-so in the United States.  The tournaments feature many of the world's professional players. It was started in the United States by attorney/television producer Steven Lipscomb and Casino mogul Lyle Berman.

The unique concept of televising the final table play of some of the major poker events around the world with the aid of a camera on the table felt was an immediate hit, with thousands of poker enthusiasts tuning in to the Travel Channel each week to watch the events. This was the first time that viewers could actually see what cards the players were holding, and made exciting viewing for both professional poker players, and those tuning in just to watch and learn.  With several cameras stationed around the players, the viewer is able to catch all the facial expressions the same way they are being seen by their opponents at the table, as well as knowing who is bluffing, and who is leading all the way to the showdown.

In-depth play by play analysis is provided by poker champion Mike Sexton and veteran poker expert Vince Van Patten, who give in-depth play by play analysis. They also make it seem that all of their commentary is recorded live as the tournament happens, however, their comments about hole cards are recorded after the tournament takes place because gaming regulations prohibit them from observing a live feed of the ‘hole card cameras’ while on the set. This means that the broadcast audio is a mix of the live recording, and commentary which has been recorded post-production.

The WPT Season 1 made its debut on the Travel channel on Sunday 31 March, 2003 with a total of 11 tour events, and all winners of such events getting their entry seat to the $25,000 WPT Championship at The Bellagio April 2003. The championship winner was Alan Goehring (pictured).

 In 2008, the WPT started offering bracelets to its event champions, as well as announcing a set of tournaments for women, known as the WPT Ladies. The first Champion of this event was Nancy Todd Tyner.

The latest 2009 World Poker Tour Championship winner was Yevgeniy Timoshenko. He is a 21-year-old American professional poker player from Mukilteo, WA. But is originally from Ukraine, immigrating to the US at the age of ten.