The World Poker Tour was created by television producer Stephen Libscomb who currently serves as the CEO of WPT Enterprises, a publicly traded company which controls the WPT. In late 2009 the WPT Enterprises was purchased by PartyGaming.

The WPT consists of a series of Texas Holdem poker tournaments participated by the gaming industry's most prominent poker wizards. The first season was aired at the end of 2002 on The Travel Channel in the US and culminated with the World Poker Championship in April 2003 held at Sin City's Bellagio Casino.

The World Poker Tour show made its first network appearance back in 2004 on NBC, featuring a unique "Battle Of Champions" tournament. The main sponsors behind the show were, and still are, online poker rooms that enjoy incredible publicity. Although some of the tournaments were held outside the U.S., the vast majority of them took place in different glamorous locations within U.S. borders.

Syndicated internationally, the World Poker Tour is now co-hosted by WSOP bracelet winner Mike Sexton and popular Hollywood celebrity Vince Van Patten. The beautiful former model Shana Hiatt served as the show's host for the first three seasons, but was later replaced by ex-newscaster Courtney Friel.

Although the show's hosts, Sexton and Patten, create the impression that their commentary on the participants' play is recorded live during the course of the tournament, their comments on pocket cards are actually recorded when the tournament is already over, a method which complies with the U.S. gaming regulations. According to the American law, observing a live feed of the "pocket card cameras" is illegal. Therefore, all commentary is recorded in post-production.

The World Poker Tour's biggest attraction lies in the fact that any player, whether a mere beginner or a seasoned pro, who can afford the "buy-in" or win a "satellite" tournament, is offered a chance to compete against powerhouses, such as Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu and Phill Hellmuth. WPT fans also find it exciting because of the technical innovations it features.

In late 2009 WPT Enterprises was purchased by PartyGaming, owners of the popular PartyPoker site among other gambling sites. The events in 2009 garnered less attention and attendance than in prior years and PartyGaming hopes to turn that around in 2010 and in the future.