Asian Poker Tour to Launch Asian Series – First Stop: Cebu

The Asian Poker Tour (APT) has announced a new poker series in Asia looking to attract more local and regional players giving them the opportunity to compete at an international poker tournament event.

The inaugural event of this exciting new series – the ‘APT Asian Series’ will take place from January 10 to 17, 2011 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu, Philippines.

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China’s Zhang Dan Peng Crowned APT Macau 2010 Champion

Playing in his first-ever poker tournament, 18-year old Zhang Dan Peng of Guangzhou was crowned the 2010 Main Event champion at the Asian Poker Tour in Macau, winning HK$1.678 million (approximately USD$215,000) with his gutsy, aggressive style. Zhang is the first-ever Chinese champion of the APT Macau Main Event, held at the integrated entertainment complex, the City of Dreams.

Zhang, who only began playing poker six months ago, qualified for the 161-player Main Event in one of the APT Macau’s satellite events. Zhang steadily worked his way through the Main Event to land himself in a heads-up battle against Germany’s Bjoern Wiesler in Sunday’s Final Table. In the very first hand, Zhang went all- in, with his Ace-Deuce beating the 34-year old’s Pocket Sevens. As the runner-up, Wiesler will take home HKD$920,000 (approximately USD$117,000).

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Poker Legend Johnny Chan and Team China Join Asian Poker Tour Macau

Next week, Chinese Poker legend Johnny Chan will join the Asian Poker Tour in Macau for the second year running. Chan, holder of 10 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, aims not only for a final table showdown with Phil Ivey, who has won eight WSOP bracelets, but to also join forces with other Chinese Poker players in the APT Macau’s Battle of the Nations side event. Chan was recently part of the good-medal winning Team China and the team’s World Team gold medal is now on display at the Poker King Club in Macau.

10-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Johnny Chan


A legend in the Poker world, Chan’s 10 WSOP bracelets ties him with Doyle Brunson for second on the all-time list, and makes the Chinese-born star among the players to beat when the APT Macau kicks off from Saturday, November 6-14 at the City of Dreams, Macau.

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MACAU MANIA HITS FEVERISH PITCH

Just like last year, the APT Macau 2010 is expected to draw hundreds of players from Asia and beyond.

With under two weeks to go before another leg of the most prestigious poker event in Asia begins, the anticipation is building up as players from Asia and beyond look forward to APT Macau starting Saturday 6th November.

For the first time in the history of the tour, the APT has allotted three Day 1’s for the Main Event adding a rather interesting twist to the already exciting event. The APT Macau 2010 Main Event opens with Day 1A on November 7 (Sunday); while Day 1B starts three days after on November 10 (Wednesday); Day 1C on November 11 (Thursday); Day 2 and 3 on November 12 (Friday) and 13 (Saturday) with the Final Table schedule set on November 14 (Sunday) to close out the Macau festivities.

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Savage Returns as Tournament Director for APT Macau 2010

One of the most popular and prestigious poker events in Asia is all set to happen next month; so it’s only apt that one of the most sought after and most respected tournament directors in the poker world returns at the helm for the big event.

Matt Savage has officially been named by the Asian Poker Tour (APT) as the tournament director for the upcoming APT Macau 2010 event set on November 6-14 later this year to be held at the Hard Rock Hotel at the City of Dreams in Macau.

To view full article about Matt, click here.

Huge HK Contingent Expected to Play in Macau

In 2009, three players from Hong Kong made it to the Final Table of the Asian Poker Tour (APT) Macau Main Event—this year, the APT expects a boom in the number of players from the said country.

A total of 22 players came all the way from Hong Kong to participate in last year’s APT Macau—five of which made it into the money, winning HK$1,781,000 in sum.

The three Hong Kong-based players who competed for the APT Macau Main Event Champion title in the Final Table (placing 4th, 5th, and 6th) were: David Steicke, Chris Chau, and Michael Woo.



In 2009, David Steicke ended up at 4th place-- the best finish for a player from Hong Kong.

This year, due to Poker’s unstoppable growth in popularity, the number of players from Hong Kong is predicted to increase significantly. Also, the APT’s addition of another Day 1 in the tournament and the scheduling of the APT Macau 2010 Ladies of Poker Event on the 7th of November (Sunday) at 4pm are expected to attract even more participants.

For more details and for the complete schedule of events, please visit the ASIAN POKER TOUR WEBSITE.

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The Ladies Take Center Stage in the APT

The beginning of the Asian Poker Tour (APT) Macau tournament week—the 7th of November—is looking more interesting as the APT introduced an additional Day 1 for players and scheduled the very popular Ladies of Poker Event.

With the success that the previous APT tournaments enjoyed and the overwhelming response they got from poker players and enthusiasts alike, the APT has made some tweaks with its schedule so as to give those with heavy work commitments the opportunity to participate in the much anticipated APT Macau Main Event—hence, the addition of another Day 1 especially for the players.


The ladies in action during the APT Philippines 2010 Ladies of Poker event


In a special event they can call their own, the women gets a chance to show off their poker prowess in a side event of the APT. For the 3rd leg in a row, the APT is offering the Ladies of Poker Event as part of the multiple side events happening in the APT Macau 2010 on November 6 to 14 next month at the Hard Rock Hotel Casino and Poker Lounge in the City of Dreams, Macau.
While there are other interesting side events like the Battle of the Nations, Greed and High Rollers events among many others, the Ladies of Poker event is exclusively for the women of the felt. The buy-in is set at HK$900+HK$100; but aside from the cash prize, surely, the ladies would want to go home as the APT queen in this leg of the tour.

The APT Macau 2010 Ladies of Poker Event is scheduled to happen on November 07 (Sunday) starting at 4PM. Last year, Ms. Aura Asilo won the APT Macau 2009 Ladies Ambassadors Event title. Earlier this year, Ms. Ghie Rivera bested a 31-woman field to take home APT Philippines 2010 Ladies of Poker trophy.

For more details and schedule, please visit the ASIAN POKER TOUR WEBSITE.

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Rock the Dream at the Poker Lounge

The Chase is on at the APT’s Rock the Dream Series
Hard Rock Opens Shop for APT Satellites

A small buy-in for a chance to appear on the big stage? Leave it to the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and the Hard Rock Poker Lounge to make it possible as hopefuls from Asia and beyond now have the opportunity to get an APT Macau 2010 Main Event seat via a number of satellite tournaments scheduled later this month.

The Hard Rock Poker Lounge has announced that it has listed eight (8) satellite tournaments which are set to happen with varying buy-ins, starting chips and tournament structures but offering the same grand prize: APT Macau 2010 Main Event seats plus cash and more.

The APT Macau 2010 Hard Rock Poker Lounge Series opens with the “Dream to Rock APT” Deep Stack 200K GTD on October 23 (Saturday); followed by the HK$ 80K GTD on October 24 (Sunday) starting at 2PM and from October 25 to 29 (Monday to Friday) starting at 7PM; and finally, the “Dream to Rock APT” Deep Stack 300K GTD on October 30 (Saturday).

The Poker Lounge is located on Level 2 City of Dreams Casino. For specific satellite tournament details please visit the Hard Rock Poker Lounge Series Page..

The Hard Rock Poker Lounge also features round-the-clock Texas Hold’em games in seven (7) Hard Rock poker tables in the main area including two (2) VIP high-stakes tables; plus facilities players can enjoy like the integrated bar and lounge and nine (9) large LCD TV’s among many other amenities.

For more details of the Hard Rock Casino and Poker Lounge please visit the City of Dreams official website.

The Hard Rock Hotel Macau is located at the City of Dreams in Macau and is the official host of APT Macau 2010 set on November 6 to 14, 2010. Main Event buy-in is set at HK$32,500 + HK$2,500 with multiple side events scheduled for the duration of the nine-day festivities.

For the complete 2010 APT Macau Schedule, click HERE.

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November 7 Day 1A and More!

A LITTLE TWIST TO THE HARD ROCK FESTIVITIES
APT ADDS ANOTHER DAY 1, TARGETS WEEKEND WARRIORS

With the Asian poker scene already abuzz in anticipation of the Asian Poker Tour (APT) Macau 2010, the APT expects that the new and improved Day 1 schedule will add twist to the main event.

For the first time in the history of the tour, the APT will allot three Day 1’s for the Main Event, meaning the expected record-number of registrants will have the luxury of choosing which opening day they want that suits their personal schedule and strategy.

The APT Macau 2010 is set to happen at the Hard Rock Hotel, City of Dreams in Macau from November 6 to 14 later this year.

The APT Macau 2010 Main Event opens with Day 1A on November 7 (Sunday); while Day 1B starts two days after on November 10 (Wednesday); Day 1C on November 11 (Thursday); Day 2 and 3 on November 12 (Friday) and 13 (Saturday) with the Final Table schedule set on November 14 (Sunday) to close out the Macau festivities.

APT Chief Executive Officer Jeff Mann said that they expect a healthy number of players preferring Day 1A since it falls on a Sunday; particularly, those from Macau, Hong Kong and China.

Aside from the additional Day 1 of the Main Event, another development included increasing the number of side events from 10 to 11. The latest side event to be added is the DAFAPOKER 6-Handed Event augmenting the already-loaded line-up which includes the High-Rollers, Greed, Head-Hunter and Battle of the Nations events among others.

For more details and schedule, click HERE.

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Phil Ivey Sets Sights on Macau

The Asian Poker Tour (APT) Macau 2010 is about to get a little bit better– the biggest understatement in the history of APT– as one of the most prominent, successful and popular professional poker players in the world is set to join the nine-day festivities in Macau this year.


8-time WSOP Bracelet Winner Phil Ivey (Photo courtesy of www.asia.pokernews.com)

Phil Ivey, eight-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and one-time World Poker Tour (WPT) champion, has confirmed his participation in the latest leg of the APT scheduled to happen from November 6 to 14, 2010 at the Hard Rock Poker Lounge in the City of Dreams in Macau.

As of 2010, the 34-year-old American has total live tournament winnings of roughly US$13.5M, more than US$5M of which came from cashes at the WSOP.

Fondly called in the poker scene as the “Tiger Woods of Poker,” he began his career in Atlantic City, New Jersey and made his name as a high-stakes player before plying his trade on the live tournament circuit in 2000.

One of the most feared cash game players in the world, both live and online, Ivey’s appearance in the APT Macau 2010 is sure to create a buzz in the Asian poker scene as local professionals and amateurs alike look forward to rubbing elbows with one of the most recognizable faces in poker.

For more details and schedule, please visit the ASIAN POKER TOUR WEBSITE.

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Chris Parker Interview - APT Philippines 2010

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The Road to APT Macau 2010

It’s another mad dash for Asian Poker Tour (APT) Macau seats as more and more poker rooms start spreading all over Asia offering slots for the main event as part of their prize pool. Before one of the most prestigious tournaments begins the players can start joining relatively cheaper qualifying events via land-based and online tournaments.

In the Philippines, the Midas Touch Poker Room in Pasig City has scheduled The Poker Circuit’s (TPC) “Rock the Dream” tournament which offers an APT Macau 2010 Package for its first-place finisher. All-in Poker Sports Club in Cebu is set to follow suit with a qualifying tournament of its own as well as in Macau, The Poker King Anniversary Tournament on October 31st will give one (1) APT Macau Main Event seat to the winner.

Online players will get the chance to catch a ride to the APT as well with many poker rooms offering different structures but with the same attractive prize.

Among the online poker rooms are:

PKR – Online poker’s leader in cutting-edge graphics and realistic game play offers a prize of USD$6,500 package to Asia’s premier event.

iPoker Network– The largest online poker network will run a super satellite promotion to the APT Macau and offers an APT Package worth USD$7,000, which includes the main event buy-in (USD$4,180 + USD$320); $900 for a 6-night accommodation at the Hard Rock Hotel in the City of Dreams; USD$100 for registration fees and up to USD$1,500 for flights and spending.

Leading the iPoker Network partners which will also offer APT packages are Dafa Poker, Mansion Poker, Titan Poker, Victor Chandler and Betfred.

The APT Macau 2010 is a nine-day festival of poker set from November 6 to 14 this year at the Hard Rock Poker Lounge, City of Dreams in Macau. For complete tournament schedule visit the Asian Poker Tour Macau 2010 Event Schedule Page.

Michael Cua is the Champion of APT Philippines 2010!

Congratulations to Michael Cua for winning the APT Philippines 2010 main event!

The local player outlasted a field of 226 players from different countries around the world, including top pros such as Johnny Chan, J.C. Tran, Nam Le, and Bryan Huang, as well as defending champion Neil Arce, to win the coveted title. Cua, who won his seat to the main event through one of the RWM Satellite Series tournaments held in the weeks leading up to the main event, took home a big prize of US $172,200 and a seat to the APT Macau 2010 main event worth US $4,500.

It was an amazing run for Cua, who was one of the shortest stacks late in Day 3. With his chips hovering at less than 14,000, Cua was able to get a series of double-ups to keep himself in contention and eventually found himself as a short stack, yet again, at the final table.

Keeping a low profile but getting in some timely wins, Michael eventually landed in the final three, where he surprised everybody by tripling up and then eliminating Huang in third place a few hands later. He then made quick work of runner-up Mike Puno, wearing down the former chip leader’s stack with aggressive moves until the two finally got their stacks all-in.

On a board of 10-Clubs, 6-Spades, K-Clubs, and 4-Hearts, Puno checked over to Cua, who bet out 50,000. Puno then retaliated by going all-in with J-Clubs and 3-Clubs. Cua made the call, showing 10-Hearts and 9-Spades. With one card to go, Puno was looking for another club or a jack, but the river did not provide either as the 9-Diamonds came, sealing the win for Cua.

The next APT main event will be held in Asia’s gaming capital. APT Macau 2010 will be held from November 6 to 14 at City of Dreams, with buy-in set at HK $32,500 + HK $2,500.

Win Your Way to APT Philippines at the Asian Poker King Tournament this August!

Want to play in a big tournament in Asia’s gaming capital AND win a seat to APT Philippines 2010?

Then look no further than the Asian Poker King Tournament this August at the StarWorld Hotel in Macau, where seats to the upcoming APT main event in Manila will be awarded as part of the prize pool!

The Poker King Club’s Asian Poker King Tournament will be held from August 5 to 8 at the eighth floor of the StarWorld Hotel. Buy-in is HK $6,000 + HK $500 for the chance to win a part of the guaranteed prize pool of HK $880,000.

The last Asian Poker King Tournament was held in April. Elton Tsang emerged from a field of 233 players to win the HK $553,600 first prize.

Join Elton among the list of Asian Poker King Tournament winners and you could also become the next APT champion!

APT Philippines 2010 will be held from August 23 to 29 at the Resorts World Manila complex in Manila, Philippines. Buy-in is set at approximately US $2,500 + US $200. For more information, click here.

Lloyd Fontillas Named APT Philippines 2010 Tournament Director

The Asian Poker Tour has officially named Lloyd Fontillas as the tournament director for the upcoming APT Philippines 2010 event at Resorts World Manila.

“We are very happy to have Lloyd head the APT Philippines event,” said APT CEO Mr. Jeff Mann. “He has done great work for us in the past and I’m personally excited to see him as the tournament director in Manila.”

Mr. Mann added that Mr. Fontillas would be introducing some new changes in the upcoming APT Philippines main event to improve the overall playing experience.

“Lloyd will be implementing some great new changes this August. Playing days will be shorter this time around to make it better for the players, with an extra day added to the schedule. Starting stacks are now deeper, too, as players will be getting 15,000 in chips to start.”

One of the most sought after tournament directors in Asia, Lloyd is fresh off another year in Las Vegas as a member of the tournament management team of the World Series of Poker (WSOP). He has worked with the APT in the past, having served as the Tour’s poker specialist in 2009.

A familiar face on the Philippine poker scene, Mr. Fontillas is the founder and tournament director of The Poker Circuit, a series of poker events that are held in different venues throughout the country.

In addition, Mr. Fontillas has worked with the World Poker Tour (WPT) and the Poker King Club in Macau.

He has considerable experience in the field of tournament directing, having trained under and worked with renowned directors such as Matt Savage of the WPT, Jack Effel of the WSOP, and Sam Quinto of Commerce Casino.

APT Philippines 2010 will be held from August 23 to 29 at the Resorts World Manila complex in Manila, Philippines. Buy-in is set at approximately US $2,500 + US $200.

Neil Arce to Defend Title at APT Philippines 2010

The Asian Poker Tour is proud to announce that APT Philippines defending champion Neil Arce will be back to defend his title at this year’s event in Manila.

Arce will be looking to become the first back-to-back APT champion as he confirmed his attendance at this year’s APT Philippines 2010 main event.

Considered one of the best poker players in the Philippines, Arce defeated a field of 262 of the top players from the country and around the world to win the APT Philippines 2009 main event.

His skill helped him build his stack throughout the tournament and good fortune would help him finish off runner-up Steve Yea. After a raise and re-raise, Arce got his money all-in with king-queen but was in trouble as Yea tabled ace-king. Fate would be on Arce’s side, though, as he spiked a queen on the turn to win the US $185,000 first prize and the title of APT Philippines champion.

The victory was a big boost to poker in the country as Arce became the first local player to win an international poker tournament on Philippine soil.

An accomplished player in both the tournament and cash game arena, the PokerStars-sponsored Arce is also a former Filipino Poker Tour (FPT) champion and placed third in the high-rollers event at the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Macau in 2009.

APT Philippines 2010 will be held from August 23 to 29 at the Resorts World Manila complex in Manila, Philippines. Buy-in is set at approximately US $2,500 + US $200.

Aside from the main event, there will be eight exciting side events at APT Philippines 2010, including a high-rollers tournament, a Pot-Limit Omaha tournament, and the APT’s very own Greed tournament.

For more information about the event, click here.

PKR Gives Players First Shot at Winning APT Philippines 2010 Package

With APT Philippines 2010 less than two months away, players looking to win seats are in luck as online poker room PKR has already begun running a wide selection of qualifiers to the big event.

Players from all over the world will be able to choose from a wide range of options in their bid to qualify for the APT Philippines 2010 main event. For as low as US $2.08 + $0.20, they can win their way to a seat through a series of satellites.

In addition, players can also enter PKR’s lottery satellites for as low as 31 cents for a shot at an APT Philippines 2010 main event seat.

PKR will be giving away at least one US $5,000 package to the APT Philippines 2010 main event each Monday starting from June 21. For more information about the qualifiers on PKR, click here.

PKR is the world’s most advanced poker room. It features state-of-the-art graphics and realistic 3D gameplay, giving you the experience of actually playing in a live poker room.

APT Philippines 2010 will be held from August 23 to 29 at the Resorts World Manila complex in Manila, Philippines. Buy-in is set at approximately US $2,500 + US $200.

Last year’s APT Philippines main event won by Filipino poker pro Neil Arce, who took home US $185,000 for finishing first. The win gave poker a big boost in the country as it was the first time a local player had won an international poker tournament held in the Philippines.

Aside from the main event, there will be eight exciting side events at APT Philippines 2010, including a high-rollers tournament, a Pot-Limit Omaha tournament, and the APT’s very own Greed tournament.

For more information about the event, click here.