This article first appeared in the Nov/Dec 2010 issue of World Gaming magazine.
The competition continues between the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) as both competitions look to tie up market share of world-class tournament poker in Asia. World Gaming magazine views both tours as professional outfits that greatly support poker in the region. With the two tours at each other’s throats the big winner is the Asian poker scene that sees plenty of action right on its doorstep.
The next big poker event to hit Macau is the Asian Poker Tour (APT), to be held at City of Dreams in November. The organisers have scored a great coup by moving the tournament to Macau’s latest iconic resort. City of Dreams has recently opened the Hard Rock Poker Lounge in the Hard Rock casino and hosting a world-class tournament like this at a major property like COD is a logical step for both Melco-Crown and the Asian Poker Tour. Every January Crown casino in Melbourne holds the ‘Aussie Millions‘, one of the world’s biggest and best tournaments. Adding the APT Macau to their resumé further cements Crown’s reputation as a major player in the region’s poker scene.
The main event of the APT will be run over four days with three ‘day ones’ starting on Monday 8 November. This format gives players the option of arriving early or late. Getting in early certainly has its appeal as you could play one of the lucrative cash games or kick back and take advantage of the many exciting attractions Macau has to offer away from the felt.
Jeff Mann takes over from Chris Parker as CEO of the Asian Poker Tour in 2010. Chris leaves incredibly big shoes to fill but Jeff is no stranger to running world class poker and has a strong history with the organisation. When it comes to poker in the region he is an expert and will bring stability and strength to an organisation that has plenty of supporters in the region.
“We were very happy with the way the APT Philippines went. It was probably one of our smoothest events yet. To ensure the APT continues to grow our strategy moving forward is to develop ongoing relationships with blue chip venue partners like Resorts World and City of Dreams thus enabling us to stage larger poker events that have even further worldwide appeal.”
The APT has again put together an excellent schedule and isn’t solely relying on the main event. This is highly important because …a good poker festival should look after all players’ needs and make it worth an overseas trip for international visitors. The Battle of the Nations Event is back on the schedule on 7 November. The Koreans will be looking to make it back-to-back titles after they won the inaugural title last year. There will also be strong teams from Japan, the US, China, Hong Kong and Australia. England will be hoping to bounce back after an early departure from last year’s event including paying out some big side bets to other countries. Players of the calibre of Johnny Chan, JC Tran, Stewart Scott and Nam Le all played in this competitive event last year. The quality line up means the title is hotly contested and players are proud to represent their countries.
There is also a HK$150,000 High Rollers event pencilled in for 9 November. Local pros and high rollers will pit their poker prowess against some of the world’s best in an event that always makes for great watching. Australia’s very own eccentric businessman and poker celebrity David Steicke will be back to defend his title. The Hong Kong-based Steicke’s unorthodox style can be desperately hard to beat.
There are plenty of satellites and smaller tournaments that will cater to all bankrolls so there is no excuse for missing this chance to get to Macau and try your luck against some of the best in the business. City of Dreams offers a wide range of accommodation, dining and entertainment options so you will be well catered for on and off the felt. Find out more about the tournament at www.theasianpokertour.com.
