Asian Poker Open gets big names

Playing seats are selling fast for the Asian Poker Open being held at the Grand Waldo Casino on November 22-27, and some big names in the poker world have been secured, according to the organizers.

“So far, about 150 players have registered for the main event already, and we're looking to reach over 250,” says Elton Tsang, founder of First Impression Ltd. “We have some very big names coming to the tournament, including two former champions of the World Series of Poker."

The event is a key stop on the Asia Pacific Poker Tour, an annual series of televised No Limit Texas Hold'em poker tournaments held across the region. It will take place six days, featuring several events. The main event involves a US$2,500 (HK$19,500) buy-in, with an estimated prize pool of US$600,000 (HKD$4,680,000), and a potential first prize of US$170,000 (HKD1,326,000). There is also a US$15,000 (HK$117,000) “High Roller” buy-in event.” Total prize pool is estimated at well over HK$10 million.

Matt Savage, one of the world’s foremost tournament directors, will direct all poker tournaments during the week. Savage is a founder of the Tournament Directors Association (TDA), the developer of a set of standardized poker-tournament rules used in major tournaments around the world. He has hosted and appeared on more than 300 televised poker shows and has directed poker events around the globe.

Players wanting to sign up for the tournament may register online at www.asianpokeropen.com; www.appt.com, or at the cashier in Grand Waldo Casino during the week of the event. There will also be free online qualifiers running daily on www.PokerStars.net. A special discounted room rate at Grand Waldo Hotel will be offered to all participants on a first-come, first-served basis.