22 August 2008 (Macau, China) – With the recent revelation by 8 time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps that he is a big poker fan and that he was looking forward to playing again, the Asian Poker Tour (APT) have written him an open letter inviting him to stop off on his way home and play in the APT Macau next week.
The second leg of the Asian Poker Tour gets underway at the Galaxy StarWorld Hotel and Casino Resort in Macau on August 27th running until August 31st and GUARANTEES a prize pool of US$1,500,000 and a first prize of US$500,000 – the largest to date in Asia.
Amongst those committed to take part in the USD $5300 ($5000+$300) main event include a range of the biggest poker names in the world including ‘Godfather of Poker’ Doyle Brunson, Todd Brunson, J.C Tran, John Juanda, Kenny Tran, Nam Le, Quinn Do, Steve Sung and APT Manila champion David Saab. In the next few days even more star names will be published so watch this space! Joining the stars are players who have won seats to the event by qualifying through online satellites at PartyPoker.com, Datapoker, Titan Poker, Bodog, JBetPoker, Virgin Poker and Poker Trillion.
Dear Michael,
First of all, congratulations on your eight gold medals and world record breaking feats – what a supreme sporting achievement and I hope superstardom treats you well. However, I write this open letter to you to say that I am in a position to add weight to the argument that you should be crowned history’s ultimate sportsman.
I noticed recently that you have told your local newspaper that you were a big fan of poker and look forward to playing again. By a strange twist of fate, I represent the Asian Poker Tour and we are running Asia’s largest ever guaranteed tournament NEXT WEEK in Macau. It starts on the 27th and runs until the 31st and guarantees a prize pool of $1,500,000 and a first prize of $500,000. This is the biggest prize pool ever offered in Asia! While you are already in China, why don’t you give it a go? It would be our pleasure to fly you in, organize your accommodation and buy-you in to the tournament!
Some have said you are a ‘human dolphin’ but we’re keen to know if history’s greatest swimmer is really a fish. You may have feet that can reach angles others cannot to give you the ultimate swimming technique but just you wait until you’ve got sharks like Vegas poker legend Doyle Brunson chasing you. We’ll see how fast you really are then when they smell blood – get some flippers on those size 14’s!
Don’t bring your goggles, bring a pair of sunglasses – dive in at the deep end and we would love it if you showed us your hand. You’ve almost certainly got more chance of making good money from our $1,500,000 prize pool than securing any commercial deals! Your homecoming to a delirious country can wait.
Go all-in Michael! We’ll even get some special one-on-one lessons for you from poker’s greatest players. If it makes you happier we’ll even bring in Mark Spitz too and you can play heads-up! Some have campaigned for poker to become an Olympic sport. The fact that you are a ‘human dolphin’ doesn’t mean you will necessary get a gold medal for Texas Hold’em!
In all seriousness, come join us, you may as well while you are there! We’ll definitely show you a good time and would be honored with your presence. Get the closing ceremony over and done with first though!
Best Wishes,
Jeff Mann
The Asian Poker Tour
NOTES
WHY IS WARREN LUSH SENDING YOU THIS?
I am Head of Consumer Public Relations at PartyGaming Plc but am on a secondment to the Asian Poker Tour (APT) for the duration of the event and will be on the ground at the Galaxy StarWorld Casino and available for all media enquiries.
ABOUT ASIAN POKER TOUR (APT)
The Asian Poker Tour (APT) is Asia’s biggest and original poker tour. The Tour was recently acquired by AsianLogic (AIM:ALOG). As part of the new organisation of the APT, four events will be held across Asia in 2008. Next year, the Tour plans to increase this to a total of six events. Each tournament is set to attract live players as well as internet players who will qualify via online satellites. Each main event will offer a minimum guaranteed USD $1 million prize pool. The official web site of the APT is www.asianpt.com
ABOUT ASIANLOGIC (ALL)
AsianLogic is a leading online and land-based gaming company focusing on the Asia-Pacific markets. The Company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: ALOG). AsianLogic owns and operates eight online casino brands and two online poker rooms as well as land-based sportsbook operations through its MegaSportsWorld brand. It is a specialist in Asia-specific games such as Mahjong, Cho-Da-Di, Do-Di-Zhu and 13 Card Poker. The Company owns and operates the Asian Poker Tour. The Company also maintains a corporate advisory team specialising in the gaming sector which is an active investor in gaming-related businesses as well as providing consultancy and analytical services. AsianLogic enjoys strong commercial relationships with leading gaming providers including Playtech, ID Games and LVS. Founded as ESL in 2002, AsianLogic employs over 300 employees, the majority of whom are based in the Philippines.
For more information, please contact:
Warren Lush
Asian Poker Tour
+34656236600
warrenl@partygaming.com
Melissa Ross
Lyceum Media for Asian Poker Tour
+44 (0) 207 953 4026
Melissa@lyceummedia.com