For a diverse range of exciting and well-known games, the humble table is the chosen battleground on which rival competitors play for victory. Whether it is the tense strategic tug of war between players in a game of chess, or the non-stop left-to-right action of an enthralling table tennis match, competitive table games have cemented themselves as some of the most thrilling spectacles on live television. While there is a huge variety of table game tournaments now being televised, it is often difficult to decide which ones are worth tuning in for. Let’s take a look at the best table game tournaments currently available to watch when you next turn on the TV.
World Series of Blackjack
Blackjack is the most widely played casino banking game in the world so it comes as no surprise that a global televised tournament was created in 2004 to showcase the best players from across the world. Produced by cable network, GSN, the World Series was a closed tournament with players either invited to play or needing to qualify through winning smaller tournaments. Legendary sportscaster, Matt Vasgersian, known for his work on Fox and the MLB network was brought in, providing viewers with insightful commentary to go along with the nerve-biting blackjack gameplay. By the fourth installation of the series, the prize pool that players competed in had reached a huge $1million. Unfortunately, the tournament has not been televised for a number of years, however, with appetite among blackjack fans remaining strong, it surely won’t be long till the World Series is back on our screens.
The World Chess Championship
The game of chess has experienced somewhat of a revival following the release of the hugely popular Netflix series, The Queen’s Gambit, in 2020. This establishment of a new community of chess lovers has led to renewed interest in the legendary World Chess Championship – where the reigning world champion faces off against a fierce competitor. First televised in 1972, between American Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, the tournament was watched by millions due to the high level of chess on show as well as the geopolitical factors during what was the height of the Cold War era. The World Chess Championship has continued to be televised ever since, with ESPN and other major sports channels regularly televising the event. The tournament continues to offer viewers an engaging and tense affair while also giving fans the chance to see modern chess superstars such as Magnus Carlson and Ding Liren go face to face.
World Series of Poker (WSOP)
When thinking about famous casino games, the two names that come up time and again are roulette and poker. Played across the globe both in land casinos and on online casinos, the two games are firmly established in our cultures. While the roulette is considered one of the best games, the fact that it is largely a game of chance makes it unsuitable for a tournament setting. On the other hand, poker is perfect for competitive play – providing a complex, entertaining and high-stakes spectacle. The WSOP is the pinnacle of professional poker tournaments, with over 100 events across most of the major poker variants. Held every year in Paradise, Nevada, events are televised by ESPN and PokerGO, with the series culminating in what's known as the Main Event. The Main Event showcases the most skilled poker players out there, while the staggering $10 million dollar prize pot adds further drama and excitement to the gameplay. With WSOP events showing nearly all year round, be sure to tune in.
World Table Tennis Championships
While table tennis can only be loosely described as a table game, this thrilling game does take place on a table and is so exciting to watch it cannot be left off this list. The familiar sound of a ping pong ball going from side to side on a table is one of the most familiar sounds in world sports. And while many of us would fancy ourselves a decent table tennis player, the professional format takes the game to a whole new level with the speed and power on show quite amazing. The World Table Tennis Championships is the premier global table tennis tournament where in which countries from across the world battle it out to be crowned champion. First held in 1926, the tournament occurs annually and is televised by major sports networks such as Eurosport. Famed for its mesmerizing gameplay where players appear to possess superhuman reflexes, the game is easy to understand while also providing tons of excitement for viewers. With the next edition of the championship taking place in Doha in 2025, an exhilarating exhibition is sure to be expected.
Scrabble Players Championship
Many will be surprised to hear that Scrabble has its own competitive tournament. The well-loved board game played by millions across the globe was invented in 1938 and while many new and different versions have been released, the core rules of the game remain the same. The Scrabble Players Championship is the most well-known Scrabble competition and sees the best players from around the world go head-to-head. Every year, the tournament is held in a different city with the 2023 event duly held in the gaming capital of Las Vegas. ESPN has televised the tournament on multiple occasions, however in recent years online live-streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube Live have become home to the prestigious event. Gameplay is accompanied by expert commentary which provides viewers insight into complex scrabble strategies while boosting the excitement of the gameplay. The next tournament is scheduled for late July this year, maybe you could be Scrabble's next super fan.
There we have five of the best table game tournaments available to watch on television or online streaming platforms. With a diverse range of enthralling table games to choose from, you are sure to find one that you love. Next time you are flicking through the channels, check it out.
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