PokerStars Asia-Pacific Poker Tour Announced
PokerStars today announced the launch of the Asia-Pacific Poker Tour (APPT). Beginning in late August, the APPT will tour the Asia-Pacific region, stretching from Korea to Australia, visiting some of the best casinos in some of the most exotic locations the world has to offer. Following on the heels of the European Poker Tour's incredible success, Asia-Pacific will now take its place on the world stage as a top-tier poker destination.
Beginning in the Philippines, the opening PokerStars APPT event will run from August 23-26 at the luxurious Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Manila. The APPT then heads to The Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel and Casino in Seoul, South Korea where, from September 27-30, the second tour event will take place. These will be the first major televised tournaments of their kind for both these countries. There are expected to be at least three more events scheduled before the end of 2007 and they will be announced later this year.
PokerStars are one of the leading online poker rooms today and are also the driving force behind the APPT. Applying knowledge and experience gained from the recent unprecedented success of the European Poker Tour (EPT), PokerStars is poised to deliver another top class poker tour. PokerStars is also very pleased and eager to grow the poker market by harnessing interest in one of the most populated regions in the world.
Sarne Lightman, Co-Founder of the APPT wants to extend the global presence of poker, "Every year PokerStars sends thousands of players to compete in events across Europe, the US and the Caribbean," explains Mr. Lightman, "the launch of the APPT brings a whole new dimension to poker in Asia and marks the game's emergence as a truly global sport."
The APPT culminates in December, with the Grand Final to be held at the Star City Casino in Sydney, Australia. The Sydney skyline, including the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge will provide the backdrop to the $5000 Main Event from a special room within the Casino.
PokerStars also announced the appointment of Danny McDonagh as Tournament Director for the APPT. McDonagh, a leading and respected tournament director and member of the Tournament Directors Association, is best known for guiding the Aussie Millions to become one of the world's most recognized and professionally-run poker tournaments. Danny is excited at the prospect of leading the APPT, "The PokerStars APPT is a great opportunity to enable me to continue my work developing poker in the Asia-Pacific region".
Not only will PokerStars and the APPT provide leading televised coverage from some of Asia's most exotic and beautiful locations, but the APPT is set to also generate a fantastic boost for each country's tourism and economy. Working closely with each tourism board, the APPT is set to showcase both the great game of poker and also showcase the richness and diversity that awaits players and their partners in Asia. President and Co-Founder of the APPT Jeffrey Haas is understanably excited about the new venture, "Poker is still at an early stage in many of the countries we hope to visit with the APPT, but for those that embrace the opportunities it offers, the APPT also promises to kick start a whole new type of tourism in the region".
PokerNews.com expects to bring you live coverage from each of the APPT events during the season, using its innovative tournament reporting interface as used for this year's World Series of Poker.
From July 1, PokerStars is offering a multitude of APPT Satellites, starting from as low as $22. APPT Freerolls will also take place, providing opportunities for players of all types and backrolls to play poker in some of Asia-Pacific's hottest and most beautiful destinations.
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