The poker world received the sad news on Wednesday that Kurt McPhail, a long-time member of the World Poker Tour (WPT) family who founded the WPT League back in 2007 and more recently operated the WPT at Sea Poker Room on Virgin Voyages, passed away expectedly.
McPhail, who lived in Wichita, Kansas but was just as likely to be sailing the high seas over the past year, studied at Fort Hays State University and has been married to Kathy McPhail since November 11, 1998.
The WPT released the following statement on social media:
“RIP Kurt. You gave me some of my best experiences in life. I know you’re enjoying your eternal cruise, save a spot for all of us. Love you man,” Tommy Stokes wrote on social media.
Likewise, PokerNews PR & Media Manager Chad Holloway offered the following:
“I had the privilege of getting to know Kurt over the past year and am profoundly saddened to learn of his passing. Last October, I had the opportunity to check out the WPT at Sea Poker Room on Virgin Voyages, and to say Kurt was an excellent host would be an understatement. He was extremely kind, generous, and focused on making sure everyone who stepped foot in the poker room had a great time. He was also a driving force behind the recent WPT Voyage and I know just how highly he was regarded by those with whom he worked. He had a passion for poker and the community most definitely lost a good one.”
PokerNews offers its condolences to the friends and family of Kurt McPhail, who the entire poker community will sorely miss.
PR & Media Manager
