The Galaxy StarWorld Casino Resort and Hotel in Macau is finishing the last preparations for the arrival of Macau’s first Asian Poker Tour event on August 26. The inaugural APT Macau will include a $1.5 million guaranteed tournament, a Celebrity Poker Challenge, a book signing by poker great Doyle Brunson and the opening of the APT Poker Room at the StarWorld.
On August 26 at 3:30 pm Macau time the APT Poker Room on Level 2 will be opened for the first time. It is expected to receive such poker greats as 10-time bracelet winner Johnny Chan, chip off the old block Todd Brunson, Huck Seed, Mel Judah and Asian poker pros J.C Tran, John Juanda, Kenny Tran, Liz Lieu, Nam Le, Quinn Do and Steve Sung. The APT also issued an invitation to Olympic star Michael Phelps, but his attendance has not been confirmed yet. After the room is opened to the public, Doyle Brunson will sign books and meet with fans for a couple of hours while everyone gets ready for the Celebrity Poker Challenge.
The APT Celebrity Poker Challenge, hosted by Matt Savage, will benefit Macau’s social service organization Caritas De Macau, whose goal according to the APT press release is, “to provide services to the individuals, families, communities and societies, to help them to live in the society in a more humane condition economically, morally and spiritually.”
Besides the poker greats in attendance for the APT, the charity tourney will be graced by a host of Asian celebrities, the highlight of which is flyweight boxing star Manny Pacquiao, who was the first Asian boxer to win four world titles in different divisions. Mr. Pacquiao will be flying in from Manila to throw some chips around and help Caritas de Macau. The APT press release reels off an impressive list of Asian celebrities who will also take part of this high profile event: “The charity game will also feature movie actor Michael Wong, singer Renee Dai, commentator Angie Mak and models Natalie Ng, Erica Yuen, Janice Man, Cha Cha and Wylien Chiu. Also in attendance will be Miss Hong Kong winner Tracy Ip and cult glamour model Tila Tequila.”
APT CEO Chris Parker gushed about the Celebrity Challenge,
We are delighted to bring the APT to Macau and really excited about offering Asia’s largest ever guaranteed prize pool. The charity poker challenge will be good fun, and, most importantly, it is an aid of a brilliant charity in Caritas De Macau.
I’m looking forward to Manny Pacquiao going head-to-head with Doyle Brunson. Manny never goes down but will we see the flyweight king get knocked out by the heavyweight poker legend? That said, perhaps both will get distracted by all the models at the table!
The serious poker will start on August 27 with day 1A of the APT Macau, where a $5,000 + $300 buy-in will get you a shot at $1.5 million and an opportunity to face Asia’s best poker players. For more information on the players and the games visit www.asianpt.com.
