The Asian Poker Tour in Manila, Philippines

The Asian Poker Tour in Manila, which started on Tuesday, May 27th, 2008 at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City, Philippines, features a first place cash prize of $280,000 with a buy-in cost of $2,500 and while event officials said that the event is still a form of gaming, they are doing everything to carved a niche for poker in the sporting world.

Christopher Parker, the director of the Asian Poker Tour commented that poker is composed of seventy percent luck, thirty percent skill. But they like to make it into a sport that focuses mainly on the 30 percent skill part. Parker said that they are wary on what will be the reaction of the influential Catholic Church in the country since it mainly opposes any form of gaming whether it relies mainly on skill or luck. But Parker said that they just rely on the advice of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation regarding the matter.

Christopher Parker commented that they have made sure that the buy-in cost can only be afforded by professional players. Parker said that they will also hold a celebrity poker event where celebrities will have the opportunity to play for their favorite charities. Parker will be participating in the event and will play for the Philippine General Hospital. He added that the APT will be awarding four hundred thousand pesos to the winning charity. Foreign players will also have a chance to donate to a local charity if they choose to do so.

Author: Matthew Dorst
06/24/2008, Tuesday

The Asian Poker Tour in Manila, Philippines

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