Asia-Pacific joins world stage as poker destination

PokerStars, (www.PokerStars.com), the world’s largest online poker site, announced Wednesday the launch of Asia-Pacific’s first poker tour, the PokerStars APPT.

In a press release, PokerStars announced the tour would span the region from Korea to Australia and bring world-class poker action to some of the most exotic destinations and luxurious casinos in the world.

"One of the most exciting aspects of being a poker player is the incredible travel opportunities it offers," said Sarne Lightman, co-founder of the APPT. 

He added, "Every year PokerStars sends thousands of poker players to compete in events across Europe, the US and the Caribbean. The launch of the PokerStars APPT brings a whole new dimension to poker in Asia and marks poker’s emergence into a truly global sport."

The Asia-Pacific Poker tour launch event will be August 23nd to 26th at the 5-star Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila in the Philippines with the 2nd event scheduled for the 27th -30th September at the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel and Casino in Seoul, South Korea.

These are the first major televised tournaments in both of these countries. At least three more events are expected for 2007 and will be announced later in the year.

The tour culminates in December this year with the Grand Final in the StarCity Casino in Sydney, Australia. This AUD6,300 (USD5k aprox) buy-in event will be held in their spectacular poker room overlooking the city’s world famous icon, the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Overseeing APPT tournaments will be the region’s most prominent tournament director, Danny McDonagh, under whose direction the Aussie Millions earned its reputation as one of the world’s best run and most successful tournaments.

In addition to tournament play, the PokerStars APPT is working hand in hand with local tourism boards to include a wide range of tourism experiences designed to introduce the players and their partners to some of the incredible beauty and cultural diversity of these exotic locations.

"Poker is still at an early stage in many of the countries we hope to visit with the APPT," said Jeffrey Haas, president and co-founder of the PokerStars APPT, 

Haas noted, "But for those forward-thinking authorities that embrace the opportunities it offers, the PokerStars APPT also promises to kick-start a whole new type of tourism in the region."

"The APPT tournaments will be the first major events of their kind in Korea and the Philippines and we believe players from all over the world will come to take part. This in turn will help stimulate tremendous local economic benefit - because one of our key aims is to ensure players, their friends and families enjoy the local sights and experiences," he declared.

"To this end, we are working closely with local tourism boards to provide all our visitors with some amazing opportunities to enjoy these beautiful destinations," he said.

Satellites will be available on PokerStars.com from July 1st with buy-ins starting from as little as a 22 dollars. PokerStars will also be running freerolls for every event so that every poker player across the world will be able to compete in the events, whatever their bankroll.

For more information APPT and how to qualify on PokerStars, go to: http://www.PokerStars.com/APPT