Bahamas: WSOP Paradise kicks off its first winter series at Atlantis Paradise island

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) announced that its first edition of WSOP Paradise has officially launched and is running at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, “marking an exciting new chapter for the richest, most prestigious, and longest-running poker series.”

Festivities officially got underway on Sunday, December 3rd, with Daniel Negreanu delivering the ceremonial Shuffle Up and Deal for the series kicking off Event #1: Mystery Millions.

“With 3,446 entrants and its $5 million guarantee easily met, the Mystery Millions event set the record for the largest live poker event ever hosted in the Bahamas,” WSOP noted in a press release. It featured Jeremy Lavi Dan taking home the prized $500,000 bounty.

The $1,100 Mini Main event attracted another massive field, with 2,234 entries generating a total prize pool of $2,234,000!

Flight A of the $5,000 MAIN EVENT starts tomorrow, featuring a $15M guarantee, and there are still discounted rooms available at the @atlantisbahamas.… pic.twitter.com/7XVXK5IuZ8

— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) December 8, 2023

WSOP Paradise says that it has brought the biggest names in poker to the felt in the Caribbean, including poker legends Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and Jamie Gold, in addition to the last three WSOP Main Event World Champions Daniel Weinman, Espen Jørstad, and Koray Aldemir. 

Familiar faces from the sports world were also in attendance, like 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Tony Parker, two-time WNBA Champion and Las Vegas Aces’ Head Coach Becky Hammon, Manchester City legend Sergio Agüero, and FS1’s Nick Wright, among others.

The highlights from the action include Tony Parker notching his first finish in the money at a WSOP event in Event #4: Mini Main Event No-Limit Hold’em and another guarantee being met of $10 million for Event #3 GGMillion$ High Rollers Championship.

WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart

"Poker in paradise is rolling along and WSOP Paradise at Atlantis Paradise Island is already setting records and smashing guarantees," said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart. “The WSOP can celebrate another ‘first’ with the record for the largest live poker event ever put together in the Bahamas. With more action set to unfold in paradise and some of the biggest names from the poker world in attendance, we can’t wait to see what’s in store for the first WSOP Paradise Main Event at Atlantis.”

The action continues this week with Event #5: High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha $25k, which kicks off on December 7th, featuring big-name players and a $2 million guarantee. Wall-to-wall coverage of the first WSOP No-Limit Hold'em World Championship in Paradise, better known as the 'Main Event,' starts December 9th, featuring a $15 million guarantee and the highly-coveted WSOP Paradise Main Event bracelet.

WSOP Paradise released its full schedule last month. Live Streamed coverage for marquee events and the Main Event will be featured on GGPoker’s YouTube channel, and three post-produced TV episodes will air on CBS Sports Network with commentary from poker analysts Lon McEachern and Norman Chad.