Zynga and the World Poker Tour (WPT) first announced a new partnership toward the end of last year. Now, the relationship is being taken to the next level as Zynga has announced that players can experience the “authentic tournament style play that the [WPT] is known for.” It is Zynga’s largest ever in-game partnership.

According to a press release, Zynga said, “We are incredibly thrilled to see the next step in the transformational multi-year partnership between the World Poker Tour and Zynga Poker come to life with the launch of WPT®-themed tournaments on the world’s largest free-to-play poker platform.”

Zynga’s President of Publishing, Bernard Kim, said, “Our Zynga Poker players are an extremely passionate group who aspire to feel like true poker champions. Our World Poker Tour-themed tournaments enhance our free-to-play Zynga Poker social casino experience and bring the most premier name in the sport of poker directly into the player’s hands. We are thrilled to invite the World Poker Tour into our virtual world to create an even more authentic and immersive experience that players will love.”

The upgraded platform will offer several features, including an authentic WPT experience, higher stakes and bigger payouts and faster tournaments. It will offer a new “WPT Tournament mode,” a wider range of stakes and the ability to compete in nine-person tables, as well as five-person tables.