Poker takes over China

China seems to be really opening up to poker – a few weeks ago Lanzhou hosted the launch of the first ever Traktor Championship, and now Macau will host the first ever real money Hold’em tournament in the People’s Republic of China.

The Poker Stars Asia Pacific Poker Tour was known to include destinations such as Manila, Seoul and Sydney, but Poker Stars recently revealed their mystery destination to be the beautiful and historic island of Macau.

Jeffrey Haas, president of the APPT, considers this to be a watershed event:  “The Asia Pacific Poker Tour is honored to be bringing the sport of tournament poker to Macau. Macau is already the world’s gaming capital and this historic event diversifies its global attraction by including the APPT’s unique brand of poker tourism. It’s a significant step forward, not only for the APPT, but for the growth of poker in Asia.”

The ‘PokerStars.net Asia Pacific Poker Tour Macau: Asian Poker Open’ USD $2,500 buy-in Main Event will be attended by the star-studded Team Poker Stars, as well as many top online players. In addition to the Main Event there will also be a USD $15,000 High Rollers Event and a selection of smaller satellites and side events. Players can qualify for all APPT events free at Poker Stars, where satellites are running daily.

The APPT was launched this August in Manila, Philippines, with a second event in Seoul, Korea in September and now the Asia Poker open in Macau, China in November 22-27 at the Grand Waldo Hotel and Casino. Season 1 will conclude in December with the Grand Final in Sydney, Australia.