The World Poker Tour (WPT) has added a surprising new name to its roster of representatives. In a departure from signing established poker celebrities, the tour has awarded a professional sponsorship deal to Spencer Gore, a recreational player and data analyst. Gore secured the position through a special promotion held in conjunction with ClubWPT Gold during the festival at Wynn Las Vegas.
A Six-Figure Opportunity for an Amateur
WPT CEO Adam Pliska and longtime presenter Lynn Gilmartin hosted the decisive moment on stage at the WPT World Championship festival. The pair drew a random envelope from a pool of eligible participants to determine the winner. Gore was the name inside the envelope, instantly transforming him from a weekend player into a paid representative of the brand.
The sponsorship package is valued at $100,000 for the upcoming year. This total is split evenly between a $50,000 annual salary and $50,000 specifically allocated for poker tournament buy-ins. Gore now joins a team that includes industry legends such as Phil Ivey, Vince Van Patten, Tony Dunst, and Gilmartin.
The Path from Online Qualifier to Sponsored Pro
Gore’s journey began on the virtual felt via ClubWPT Gold. The site hosted a 100-chip online tournament where the top 100 finishers advanced to a live event. Gore successfully navigated this field to secure his seat in the Mystery Quest Live tournament at the Wynn.
The live event offered various rewards, including cash prizes, mystery bounties, and luxury items like a custom Mercedes G-Wagon. While Gore did not win the vehicle, he performed well in the tournament itself. He only started playing tournaments about a year ago, yet he managed to navigate the field to finish in 28th place. This run earned him $3,825 plus mystery bounty prizes before he won the ultimate prize in the ambassador drawing.
Balancing Corporate Life and the Poker Circuit
Gore is a Notre Dame University graduate originally from Massachusetts who currently resides in San Francisco. He works full-time in data analytics and describes himself as a non-professional who typically plays cards on the weekends. His total live earnings prior to this sponsorship sat around $30,000.
The new role requires travel to various WPT stops globally. Gore expressed excitement about the travel aspect, noting that seeing the world is a major perk for him. However, he admitted he still needs to determine how to manage his new obligations alongside his career in analytics. He stated that he intends to figure out the logistics as he goes and hopes to make the best of both worlds.
Looking Ahead
With $50,000 in tournament credit now at his disposal, Gore has full control over his schedule and can choose which events to enter. Following the announcement, he noted that he had not yet decided if he would use a portion of his new bankroll to enter the $10,400 WPT World Championship beginning that Saturday.
Gore recalled that his heart skipped a beat when he first realized he had qualified for the trip to Las Vegas earlier in the week. Now, as an official ambassador, he says he is eager to challenge himself, put himself out there, and progress his poker career further.
