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Shaq crowned APOY

Written by Fred Leung

This article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2012 issue of World Gaming magazine.

As the APPT Macau main event completed its record-smashing tournament last November, an onslaught of media moved to the other side of the PokerStars Macau poker room to witness Taiwanese poker pro Hung-Sheng “Shaq” Lin be officially named as the 2011 Asia Player of the Year (APOY).

The 30-year old arguably had the finest year since the APOY began recognizing the best poker player on the Asian poker circuit in 2009.

Lin became the first player to make the APOY Top 10 in back-to-back seasons after ending 2010 as the number 10 ranked player.

Shaq also holds the all-time record for time ranked at number 1 at 7 months and 17 days as he gained the top rank on April 10 and never lost that position through to the end of the season on November 27.

The former software engineer made an amazing 10 final table appearances — a single season record tied with brother Aaron Lin and China’s Alexandre Chieng — including the February Red Dragon main event (3rd place), Macau Millions 2011 (1st place), and the Macau Poker Cup Championship 2011 (6th place).

During the induction ceremony, Lin also became the first official entry into the HK$100,000 buy-in ACOP (Asia Championship of Poker) as part of his 1-year sponsorship with PokerStars Macau.

“I’m very happy to have this title and to win it in Asia,” said the estatic Lin through a translator. “I played maybe 40 percent of the APOY events last year and I decided that winning the APOY was something I would dedicate myself to this year.”

After his Macau Millions win in April, Shaq had mentioned his parents disapproval of his decision to become a poker pro and leave his job. He wanted the APOY title to prove that poker is a game of skill and not gambling.

“I want to win the APOY and show that I am worthy of gaining my family’s support.”

As he recalled his journey, Lin said, “The MPC in February where I came 3rd was probably the most significant moment in the year for me. It gave me the confidence that I could actually win the APOY.”

“When Raiden Kan won the MPCC [in October] it was the first time I felt like I was in danger of losing the APOY…Raiden Kan is a very good player. I’m actually thankful that he got so close because that pushed me harder.”

“I’d like to thank all my support I received from my friends and family. And PokerStars Macau for allowing me to have this stage and opportunity.”

Shaq Lin will have his name engraved into the permanent golden APOY trophy that sits at PokerStars Macau. His next appearance as a PokerStars sponsored player will be at the MPC: Red Dragon from February 18-26, which launches the 2012 poker season in Asia.

2011 Asia Player of the Year – Final Standings
1
Hung-Sheng “Shaq” Lin
Chinese Taipei
6,278 points
2
Raiden Kan
Malaysia
5,176 points
3 “Aaron” Hung-Chang Lin Chinese Taipei 4,784 points
4 Haifeng Xue China 3,431 points
5 Randy Lew Canada 3,297 points
6 Tai Tan Singapore 3,026 points
7 Charles Lam Hong Kong 2,984 points
8 Allen Xin Rui Lu China 2,883 points
9 Jimmy Pan Netherlands 2,748 points
10 Seijiro Machi Japan 2,668 points