Sunday Poker

World Poker Tour Memorabilia

Sports collectors are creating space on their shelves among their World Series baseballs, Superbowl footballs, and Wimbledon tennis balls for the newest must-have memorabilia: World Poker Tour World Championship Poker items.

Last June 30 to July 7, 2005, the World Poker Tour offered memorabilia from Season Three of the World Championship tournament for auction on eBay. All proceeds from the sale were donated to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

More than 452 players had previously turned out for the nearly $11 million World Poker Tour World Championship at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, which rewarded a record first prize of $2.8 million.

"The World Poker Tour is pleased to share these special mementos of our record-setting Season Three WPT World Championship with some of our enthusiastic fans, and in so doing, make a special donation to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation," noted Steve Lipscomb, founder and CEO of WPT Enterprises. "We look forward to continuing to make available selected pieces of WPT memorabilia as we grow and our players take on star status," he added.

The items that were offered on eBay included the Season Three WPT World Championship final hand cards. The set of cards included the five community cards and the two sets of hole cards of the top two finishers, signed by Tuan Le and Paul Maxfield. The cards are framed together with photos of Le and Maxfield and sold for $619. Also for sale were chips, one autographed by each finalist, with photos, which sold for $355. The 32" by 79" table felt from the championship, autographed by the two final table heads-up competitors, sold for $660.

Additionally, the WPT placed up for auction a selection of other sought-after collectibles signed by the top personalities connected with the tour. These included cards: an ace signed by Daniel Negreanu (which brought in $167), a king signed by WPT commentator Mike Sexton, a king signed by WPT commentator Vince Van Patten, a queen signed by WPT host Shana Hiatt, and a joker signed by Antonio Esfandiari (bought for $78).

In June 2005, Collectors Universe, a provider of value-added authentication and grading services to dealers and collectors of high-value collectibles, announced that they would authenticate the items for the auction. "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the prestigious World Poker Tour and provide our authentication services to items used in such an exciting championship event. We believe these authentic memorabilia items from the championship table will make this year's event even more memorable for years to come."