New Coronavirus Strikes Down WPT Events in Asia
The new coronavirus from China has forced WPT organizers to cancel a forthcoming event in Vietnam and postpone its inaugural Taiwanese series.
By
Daniel Smyth
4 min read
The new coronavirus from China has claimed two more victims, and this time, it’s the World Poker Tour’s upcoming events in Vietnam and Taiwan.
The new coronavirus from Asia has forced WPT organizers to cancel upcoming events in Asia. (Image: WPT/YouTube)With the virus claiming more than 1,600 lives in China alone, governments and organizations around the world on are high alert.
In line with the latest containment and prevention efforts, the WPT has altered its Asian schedule. The WPT’s Danny McDonagh made the news public via Facebook on Feb. 14.
Goodbye Vietnam as Coronavirus Threat Looms
Although the current plans include postponing and cancelling events, the tone of McDonagh’s post suggests nothing is set in stone.
“This past week we have considered seriously our upcoming events in Asia, notably WPT Vietnam from March 13 to 22 and WPT Taiwan from March 27 to April 6, given the current uncertainty surrounding hosting events in this region.
We have come to the conclusion that it is best for WPT to take a break from events in Asia these next three months until a clearer picture about the spread of the coronavirus, and the ability to safely hold the events, can be determined.
Accordingly, we will be cancelling our second Season XVIII WPT Vietnam event and postponing the inaugural WPT Taiwan event to May 14 to 24,” reads the Feb. 14 Facebook post.
The announcement comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus a “high” threat both in Asia, and globally.
Outside of China, three deaths have occurred to date (one in Taiwan), and 51,857 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed. Other sources, including John Hopkins university, set the number of confirmed cases at more than 69,000.
Whatever metric the WPT has taken into account, coronavirus poses enough of a risk to cancel events. What’s more, with scientists struggling to develop a vaccine, the WPT may have to adjust its plans again.
For now, WPT Vietnam has been cancelled, and the inaugural WPT Taiwan will move from March to May.
WPT Joins Other Poker Operators in Protecting Players
At this stage, coronavirus won’t affect WPT Asia Pacific events scheduled for later in 2020. Moreover, WPT tournaments in other parts of the world are yet to be affected.
Globally, coronavirus hasn’t had a huge impact on poker. Festivals in Europe and America have taken place as planned with the added proviso that players should follow safety advice from WHO:
- Wash your hands as often as possible
- Practice respiratory hygiene e.g., covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
- Try to maintain a “social distance” of at least three feet from other people (if possible), especially when those around you are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever
Paul Hunter, Professor of Health Protection at the University of East Anglia in the UK, told The Independent that the risks are decreasing. In his view, the spread of coronavirus will have slowed by the summer.
“At the moment the mortality rate is looking at about 2%, which is a little bit more than we would see for influenza. But I suspect that mortality rate will drop as we increasingly find less severe cases. At the moment, we don’t know how big globally it will be, but it will be no worse than a really bad pandemic influenza year,” Hunter told the British newspaper.
Despite the optimism among experts, poker companies aren’t taking any chances. Triton Poker recently cancelled its event in Jeju, while organizers at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) say they will monitor the situation.
What is Coronavirus?
Novel coronavirus (nCoV) acute respiratory disease is part of a larger family of viruses. These viruses are zoonotic, which means they are transmitted between animals and humans. As with all viruses, coronaviruses exist on a spectrum, with certain strains causing mild illnesses.
Other strains, however, can lead to severe conditions such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that hasn’t previously been identified in humans.
Common symptoms include coughing, fever, and difficulties breathing. Severe cases can lead to kidney failure, pneumonia and, in the worst scenarios, death.
Although the current plans include postponing and cancelling events, the tone of McDonagh’s post suggests nothing is set in stone.
“This past week we have considered seriously our upcoming events in Asia, notably WPT Vietnam from March 13 to 22 and WPT Taiwan from March 27 to April 6, given the current uncertainty surrounding hosting events in this region.
We have come to the conclusion that it is best for WPT to take a break from events in Asia these next three months until a clearer picture about the spread of the coronavirus, and the ability to safely hold the events, can be determined.
Accordingly, we will be cancelling our second Season XVIII WPT Vietnam event and postponing the inaugural WPT Taiwan event to May 14 to 24,” reads the Feb. 14 Facebook post.
The announcement comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus a “high” threat both in Asia, and globally.
Outside of China, three deaths have occurred to date (one in Taiwan), and 51,857 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed. Other sources, including John Hopkins university, set the number of confirmed cases at more than 69,000.
Whatever metric the WPT has taken into account, coronavirus poses enough of a risk to cancel events. What’s more, with scientists struggling to develop a vaccine, the WPT may have to adjust its plans again.
For now, WPT Vietnam has been cancelled, and the inaugural WPT Taiwan will move from March to May.
WPT Joins Other Poker Operators in Protecting Players
At this stage, coronavirus won’t affect WPT Asia Pacific events scheduled for later in 2020. Moreover, WPT tournaments in other parts of the world are yet to be affected.
Globally, coronavirus hasn’t had a huge impact on poker. Festivals in Europe and America have taken place as planned with the added proviso that players should follow safety advice from WHO:
- Wash your hands as often as possible
- Practice respiratory hygiene e.g., covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
- Try to maintain a “social distance” of at least three feet from other people (if possible), especially when those around you are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever
Paul Hunter, Professor of Health Protection at the University of East Anglia in the UK, told The Independent that the risks are decreasing. In his view, the spread of coronavirus will have slowed by the summer.
“At the moment the mortality rate is looking at about 2%, which is a little bit more than we would see for influenza. But I suspect that mortality rate will drop as we increasingly find less severe cases. At the moment, we don’t know how big globally it will be, but it will be no worse than a really bad pandemic influenza year,” Hunter told the British newspaper.
Despite the optimism among experts, poker companies aren’t taking any chances. Triton Poker recently cancelled its event in Jeju, while organizers at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) say they will monitor the situation.
What is Coronavirus?
Novel coronavirus (nCoV) acute respiratory disease is part of a larger family of viruses. These viruses are zoonotic, which means they are transmitted between animals and humans. As with all viruses, coronaviruses exist on a spectrum, with certain strains causing mild illnesses.
Other strains, however, can lead to severe conditions such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that hasn’t previously been identified in humans.
Common symptoms include coughing, fever, and difficulties breathing. Severe cases can lead to kidney failure, pneumonia and, in the worst scenarios, death.
Daniel Smyth
The former Strategy Editor at WPT Magazine has bluffed his way through the poker community producing feature pieces, crafting strategy articles, and reporting on daily happenings from the gaming industry. As CardsChat’s European correspondent, Smyth covers gaming and poker news outside the US.
Share this story
- Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
- Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
- Share on RedditShare on Reddit
Related Posts
October 18, 2024Latest Poker News
Nick Murray is the 2024 Michigan State Poker Champion
By Bob Pajich
- October 17, 2024Business & Industry
Short Stacks: Ladies Night at the Commerce, Phil Kessel Joins World Poker Tour
By Bob Pajich
October 15, 2024Business & Industry
Pennsylvania Starting Process to Join Largest Online Poker Network in United States
By Bob Pajich
View all in this category By Bob Pajich By Bob Pajich By Bob Pajich Did you know about our poker forum? Discuss all the latest poker news in the CardsChat forum
CardsChat forum - Nick Murray is the 2024 Michigan State Poker ChampionOctober 18, 2024
-
Short Stacks: Ladies Night at the Commerce, Phil Kessel Joins World Poker TourOctober 17, 2024
-
Pennsylvania Starting Process to Join Largest Online Poker Network in United StatesOctober 15, 2024
-
Michael Estes Wins World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event at Horseshoe Hammond for $198,576October 4, 2024
-
Enormous Bad Beat Jackpot Hit at Playground Poker Club is Followed by Another as Confetti Falls Twice in a WeekOctober 4, 2024
-
Business & Industry
-
CardsChat Community
-
CardsChat Data
-
Casino Gaming
-
Gossip, Rumors & Buzz
-
Latest Poker News
View more- Law & Politics
- Online Poker
- Opinion
- Player Interviews
- Podcast
- Poker rules
- Poker Strategy
- Poker Videos
- Promotions
- Scandals & Crime
- Sports Betting
- Tournament Schedules
- Tournaments & Cash Games
- Vegas Lifestyle
- WSOP News
view Less - About CardsChat
- Poker Strategy Resource
- Odds For Dummies Guide
- Texas Hold’em Rules
- Real Money Poker
- Poker Site Reviews
View more- Poker Calculator
- 10 Tips For Winning
- WSOP
- Organize the Perfect Home Game
- Poker Hand Rankings
view Less
Tải ngay ứng dụng WPT và bắt đầu chơi ngay. Dễ dàng cập nhật phiên bản mới nhất của ứng dụng WPT và tận hưởng trải nghiệm chơi thú vị.
Trang web này chỉ thu thập các bài viết liên quan. Để xem bản gốc, vui lòng sao chép và mở liên kết sau:New Coronavirus Strikes Down WPT Events in Asia
