PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker room and sponsor of the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT), has announced the return of a stop in Cebu, Philippines for its fourth season. The series will take place at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa for a five-day Main Event from November 12 to 16, along with a string of side events.
“We’re delighted to be taking the APPT back to the Philippines, and Cebu in particular,” said Jeffrey Haas, President of the APPT. “The Tour has gone from strength to strength in its relatively short life and fields are growing all the time. Last year’s event in Cebu was a definite highlight and offered further evidence of the continued passion for poker in the Asia Pacific region.”
The tour had a hugely successful debut in Cebu last year, drawing 319 players for the 100,000 Pesos (approximately $2,165 USD) Main Event to create a prize pool of more than $630,000. The tournament was won by Korea’s Dong-bin Han, who collected $156,722 and became only the second Asia-based player to win an APPT Main Event. The 37-year-old bested a tough field that included PokerStars Team Pros Bryan Huang, Tae Jun Noh, Raymond Wu, Tony Hachem, and Celina Lin.
Lin, who won the Red Dragon event at the Macau Poker Cup in July 2009, is excited to return to Cebu for another year: “The five-star resort, with wonderful beaches, spas, and restaurants, is one of the most idyllic places I’ve ever played poker. Cebu is a beautiful destination and the poker tournament itself was also fierce and fun. It will be even better this time!”
The APPT has already held the first three legs of Season 4. APPT Manila took place in the Philippines in March and was followed by APPT Macau at Casino Grand Lisboa in May. APPT Auckland in New Zealand panned out earlier this month. The APPT Grand Final in Sydney, Australia will take place at the Star City Casino from December 7 to 12.
APPT Cebu kicks off Wednesday, November 11 with a PHP 5,000 No Limit Hold’em event. Here’s a look at the full 2010 PokerStars APPT Cebu Cup Schedule (buy-ins in Philippine Pesos):
Wednesday, November 11: PHP 5,000 Cebu Cup Day 1A (PHP 1,000,000 Guarantee)
Thursday, November 12: PHP 5,000 Cebu Cup Day 1B
Friday, November 12: PHP 100,000 APPT Main Event Day 1A
Friday, November 12: PHP 20,000 No Limit Hold’em
Saturday, November 13: PHP 100,000 APPT Main Event Day 1B
Saturday, November 13: PHP 20,000 No Limit Hold’em KO Bounty
Saturday, November 13: PHP 5,000 Ladies No Limit Hold’em
Sunday, November 14: PHP 10,000 No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed
Sunday, November 14: PHP 30,000 Pot Limit Omaha
Monday, November 15: PHP 40,000 No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed
Monday, November 15: PHP 200,000 High Roller Event (Two-Day)
Tuesday, November 16: PHP 20,000 No Limit Hold’em Deep Stack
Visit PokerStars for full details.
