The first ever World Team Poker Event at Vegas’ Golden Nugget Casino concluded this morning, with the Chinese team claiming the $300,000 top prize.

Team China, which consisted of Maria Ho, David Chiu, Rich Zhu, Winifred Yu, Derek Cheung, Chau Giang and Team Captain Johnny Chan, battled top players from around the globe for over 16 hours to earn the WTP gold medals, ending with a difficult heads-up battle against team Brazil, which held among others Felipe Ramos, Christian Kruel and Juliano Maesano.  Team Brazil, after an impressive showing all day (and all night), claimed the only other payout position in the event- runner-up- worth $100,000.

Team America, with such players as Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson and Jennifer Harman, did not even make the final table, as none of their pros were able to reach the top two spots on any of the five preliminary tables. 

Team England, captained by Ben Roberts, and Team Israel, with the Mizrachi brothers, David Levi, Eli Elezra and more, also bubbled the final table, however their disappointment may be short lived.  According to the WTP website, this $50,000 buy-in (per team) event, was just the first in a series of tournaments, all culminating at the end of the season in a Championship event “in the tradition of the Super Bowl...”

For more information on yesterday’s WTP inaugural event, or to keep informed on future happenings, visit the WTP website at www.worldteampoker.com.