Solaire to stage WPT Philippines poker festival

MANILA, Philippines – The World Poker Tour will kick off Year 2016 with a big bang at the world-class Solaire Resort and Casino which plays host to the WPT National Philippines Festival of Poker Jan. 2-8.

It’s the biggest WPT event outside the majors, also known as the Alpha8 of the super high-roller series, and it’s taking place in the Philippines, described as a “mature poker market.”

Action begins with the $275 buy-in and $50,000 guaranteed Poker King Cup followed by the two-day Super High Rollers with a staggering buy-in of $200,000.

The festival also includes a $330 buy-in deep-stacked event, a $275 buy-in pot-limit Omaha, a $165 buy-in ladies event, a $5,400 buy-in high roller and a $770 buy-in second-chance tourney.

Close to 300 poker players, mostly foreigners, will fly in for the event, some of them in the most luxurious private jets and the grandest limousines money can buy.

The event was presented to the media yesterday at the posh Eclipse bar of Solaire.

“We’re very excited with this. I’m sure it will be a success and we at Solaire are very happy to be part of it,” said Cyrus Sherafat, senior vice president for casino marketing of Solaire.

Joining Sherafat at the head table were Adam Pliska, president and CEO of the World Poker Tour; Winfred Yu, president and CEO of Poker King Club; and Richard Yong, a Malaysian high roller.

Pliska said he first came to Solaire in 2005 and found the resort “a great place for poker” and one that “can compare to any of the finest resorts in the world.”

“This event is historic for us with the WPT’s biggest high-roller event in Asia. Everybody is invited. Poker is not just a game for a few people,” said Pliska.

The WPT president and CEO said he likes the Philippines because of its “culture, food and the warmth of the people,” adding that the WPT is “committed to doing more events here.”

Pliska is a look-alike of US President Barack Obama, and said at Solaire he was once addressed as “Mr. Obama” by one of the employees.

“I’ve always had an amazing five-star experience here,” he said.

Among the Filipino poker stars expected to see action are Andrew Gaw, John Tech, Marc Rivera, Czardy Rivera and Lester Edoc and Yu.

Ian Brion, a former sportswriter and now a top poker player, is in the field. Last April, he finished third in an Asian Poker Tour event in Manila and won $40,000.

“This is one of the biggest events not only in the Philippines but in Asia. This is history. We’ll have the best players coming in,” said Yu.