The prize pool for this year’s World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championship is expected to be a record $12-$15 million.

The 2006 WPT World Championship takes place at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, next month and the overall winner is likely to claim a $3.5 million prize, with more than $1 million on offer for the top three spots.

Around 600 of the world’s best poker players are expected to compete for the WPT jackpot between April 18th and 24th this year.

The fourth WPT World Championship requires a $25,500 buy in and big names rumoured to be taking part include Phil ‘The Unabomber’ Laak, Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Michael ‘The Grinder’ Mizrachi, Jennifer Harman, Scotty Nguyen and Jennifer Tilly.

Bellagio director of poker operations, Doug Dalton, said: “We are excited to host the WPT World Championship for the fourth consecutive year. The pots are getting higher and the number of participants is growing with every tournament. Bellagio is proud to be a part of this phenomenon.”

The 2005 WPT champ, Tuan Le, who pocketed $2.8 million after seeing off competition from more than 450 players, will return to defend his title.

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