For a variety of exciting and famous games, the humble table is the preferred battleground for competitors vying for victory. Whether it’s the intense strategic tug-of-war between players in a chess match or the nonstop left-to-right action in a gripping table tennis match, competitive tabletop gaming has become one of the most exciting events on the scene. While there are a wide variety of televised tabletop game tournaments these days, it’s often difficult to decide which tournaments are worth watching. Let’s take a look at the best tabletop gaming tournaments right now that you can watch next time you turn on the TV.
world blackjack series
Blackjack is the most widely played casino bank game in the world, so it’s no surprise that a live global televised tournament was created in 2004 to showcase the best players from around the world. Produced by cable network GSN, the World Series is a closed tournament in which players are either invited to play or qualify by winning smaller tournaments. Legendary sportscaster Matt Vasgersian, known for his work on Fox and MLB Network, provides viewers with insightful commentary paired with riveting Intense blackjack gameplay. By the fourth installation in the series, the prize pool for players to compete had reached $1 million. Unfortunately, the tournament has not been televised for many years, however, with blackjack fan interest still going strong, it certainly won’t be too long before the World Series returns to our screens.
world chess championship
Following the release of the popular Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit in 2020, the game of chess has experienced something of a renaissance. ——The reigning world champion will face off against formidable competitors in this tournament. The game was first televised in 1972 between American Bobby Fischer and Soviet player Boris Spassky. Due to the high level of chess competition and the The geopolitical elements of the Cold War era attracted millions of people to watch. The World Chess Championship has been televised ever since, with events regularly shown on ESPN and other major sports channels. The tournament continues to provide engaging and intense action, while also giving fans the opportunity to see modern chess greats such as Magnus Carlsen and Ding Liren go head-to-head.
World Series of Poker (WSOP)
When thinking of famous casino games, two names that often come up are roulette and poker. Both games are widely available in land-based and online casinos around the world and are deeply ingrained in our culture. While roulette is considered one of the best games out there, the reality is that it is very much a game of chance and therefore not suitable for a tournament setting. Poker, on the other hand, is ideally suited to competitive play – offering complex, entertaining and high-stakes scenarios. The WSOP is the pinnacle of professional poker tournaments, with more than 100 events covering most major poker genres. The event is held annually in Paradise, Nevada and is televised by ESPN and PokerGO, with the series culminating in the so-called Main Event. The Main Event showcases poker’s most skilled players, while a stunning $10 million prize adds even more drama and excitement to the gameplay. WSOP events take place almost year-round, so be sure to tune in.
World Table Tennis Championships
While table tennis can only be loosely described as a table game, this exciting game is indeed played on a table and is too exciting to watch to be excluded from this list. The familiar sound of a table tennis ball moving from side to side across the table is one of the most familiar sounds in world sports. While many of us consider ourselves to be decent table tennis players, the professional format has taken the sport to a whole new level, with displays of speed and power that are quite astonishing. The World Table Tennis Championships is the most important table tennis championship in the world, and countries from all over the world will compete for the championship. First held in 1926, the event is held annually and televised by major sports networks such as Eurosport. The game is known for its mesmerizing gameplay, where players seem to have superhuman reflexes, and the game is easy to understand while also providing plenty of excitement to the audience. The next edition of the tournament will be held in Doha in 2025, and an exciting show is sure to be anticipated.
Scrabble Players Championship
Many people are surprised to hear that Scrabble has its own competitive game. The board game loved by millions around the world 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 famous Scrabble competition, bringing together the best players from around the world. Each year, the event is held in a different city, with the 2023 event taking place in the gambling capital of Las Vegas. ESPN has televised the event on several occasions, but in recent years, online streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube Live have become home to the prestigious event. Gameplay is accompanied by expert commentary, giving viewers insight into complex Scrabble strategy while increasing the excitement of the game. The next contest is scheduled for late July this year, so maybe you could become Scrabble’s next biggest fan.
We have five of the best table game tournaments available to watch on TV or online streaming platforms. With a variety of fascinating board games to choose from, you’re sure to find one you’ll love. Check it out next time you’re channel browsing.
