The official opening ceremony of The Asian Poker Tour Macau was held today at the Galaxy StarWorld Hotel. A crowd of poker pros and media from all over the world gathered for the occasion and APT CEO Chris Parker cut the ribbon marking the start of the event. He was joined by poker legend Doyle Brunson. APT then held a cocktail party in the lobby of the tournament venue.

APT Macau, the second leg of the 2008 Asian Poker Tour, is being held at the Galaxy StarWorld Hotel and Casino in Asia’s gambling mecca from August 27 to 31, 2008. The APT is home to Asia’s largest guaranteed prize pool with USD $1,500,000 in cash. The winner of APT Macau is guaranteed at least USD $500,000, which is sure to attract the top poker players from all over the world.

Yesterday a surprise visitor was Jack Binion, host of the first World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe in 1970. He and ‘Godfather of Poker’ Doyle Brunson today joined tournament director Matt Savage to call ‘Shuffle Up and Deal” to open the prestigious event. The buy-in for the main event is USD $5300 ($5000+$300). The event organizers have also extended an open invitation to Olympic megastar and poker nut Michael Phelps.

Chris Parker, CEO of the Asian Poker Tour said: “We’re delighted that so many world class names want to be part of the Asian Poker Tour. To have Vegas legends Jack Binion and Doyle Brunson in Macau to kick-off off the tournament is truly significant. Both are pioneers and were around at the start in Vegas and it really says something that they want to mark what we think will herald the start of a poker explosion in Macau.” (E-08.27.08)

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