World Poker Tour announces STATS deal; launches CLUBWPT.com

You've heard of RBI, but what about ROI? You know how a basketball player's free throw percentage is determined, but can you calculate a bluff percentage?

Thanks to new a partnership with STATS LLC, the World Poker Tour (WPT) is hoping that statistics like the ones mentioned above and more will become part of the poker fan's every day vocabulary after unveiling a full section of new stats for all of its players. So, in case you were wondering what Daniel Negreanu's pre-flop raise percentage (PFR) is or what Doyle Brunson's win percentage after seeing the flop (W$WSF) was at his most recent final table appearance, you can do so, by simply logging on to WorldPokerTour.com.

"This is an incredibly exciting move for us, as it will really change the way the game is studied and played," said Vice President of WPT Interactive Ken Graiwer. "[It] will really bring poker information up to the level of sports analytics, giving fans and players a whole new perspective on the game.

"Before, you could watch the show to see how players play and speculate on why. Now you can actually access statistical information on why they played a certain way and the success of their particular methods. Players can study each other and themselves."

STATS, which provides data collection and analysis for 85 sports leagues, including Major League Baseball, National Football League and National Basketball Association, will compile the aggregate actions of each final table hand in the company's proprietary databases featuring over 100 tournaments in World Poker Tour history, as well as all tournaments going forward. The information will detail "playing style" along with situational analysis, breakdowns and trends for a more complete portrait of each World Poker Tour star, allowing poker fans and players to study the intricacies of the game like they never have before.

"We're excited to partner with the World Poker Tour and unveil new insights for one of the world's most popular games," said Steve Byrd, Executive Vice President at STATS. "STATS enjoys a proven history of providing an alternative way for both fans and media alike to view and understand sports. We strongly believe this type of analyses will make the game more enjoyable for the growing legion of World Poker Tour fans."

The main stats listed for each player include final tables made (FT), hands played (HANDS), pots entered pre-flop (VPIP), pre-flop raise percentage (PFR), bluff percentage (Bluff %), win percentage when saw flop (W$WSF), return on investment (ROI), win percentage (Win %), total post-flop aggression ratio (PFA), went to showdown percentage (WTSD) and won at showdown percentage (W$SD).

In another development this week, WPT Enterprises announced the launch of CLUBWPT.com, an innovative subscription-based online club and gaming platform targeted to the estimated 60 million poker players in the United States who may otherwise be restricted from online wagering.

CLUBWPT offers a monthly subscription package for $19.95 per month, as well as discounted quarterly and annual options. In return, members receive points to enter into over 4,000 live poker and elimination black jack tournaments, sit-n-go's and ring games for a chance to win over $100,000 in cash and prizes each month, which could include a $10,000 seat into a WPT main event. Other high-end prizes include a flat screen HD television, shopping sprees, cruises, jewelry and more.

"CLUBWPT and STATS are two very different offerings, but are the same in that they are both key to growing the WPT experience for consumers," said WPTE President and CEO, Steve Lipscomb. "The partnership with STATS is a strategic alliance in our dedication to innovating and legitimizing poker as a sport, while CLUBWPT is the perfect online gaming solution for fans of any skill level—no risk, pure rewards. The STATS database coupled with CLUBWPT gives players and fans the ultimate tools to study, play and enjoy the game."