MACAU, August 25 /PRNewswire/ — Whilst Vietnam only collected one silver in Beijing, it stands a very
good chance of taking the top prize next week when the Asian poker Tour
arrives in Macau from the 27th to the 31st August at the glamorous Galaxy
Starworld Hotel and Casino. The Asian poker Tour (APT) is home to Asia’s
largest GUARANTEED prize pool with USD $1,500,000 in total prize money in
Macau. The winner of APT Macau is GUARANTEED at least USD $500,000. Some are
campaigning for poker to become an Olympic sport - such a move would
certainly benefit Vietnam!

For several years Vietnamese based in America and Australia have been
winning big poker tournaments around the world. The record $1.5m has
attracted the best Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese) to play in Asia. Leading
the charge is Vietnamese-American J.C Tran. Tran is currently the top-ranked
player IN THE WORLD on the Bluff Magazine/ESPN power rankings. After starting
out by playing in local card rooms, he has total winnings of a staggering USD
$6.7 million to date.

At only 25 years-old, Vietnamese-American Nam Le is already considered by
many to be a major player. Le’s total winnings to date exceed $4.3 million.
Quinn Do is another top player and finished 20th overall at APT Manila. Quinn
Do’s total poker winnings to date are close to USD $2 million. Also in the
Vietnamese contingen is ‘Poker Diva’ Liz Lieu. Liz featured in the
PartyPoker.com Premier League in Europe as one of only two ladies in a USD $1
million event. She is not just a pretty face - she is regarded as someone not
to mess with! Kenny Tran makes up the Vietnamese contingent and he won a WSOP
bracelet in 2008.

The Viet Kieu is taking on the world’s best players in Macau including
the United States’ “Godfather of Poker” Doyle Brunson, who is the author of
the most successful strategy books of all time. Joining him is Johnny Chan.
Chan is famous for his starring role in the 1998 Hollywood movie ‘Rounders’
where he was the inspiration for the characters Matt Damon and Edward Norton
played.

Despite the presence of Vegas legends, the Vietnamese players are backed
to claim the honors at this event.

Chris Parker, CEO of the Asian poker Tour said: “The way the Vietnamese
play poker is really impressive. The heavy amount of skill, patience and
intelligence that poker requires compared to normal gambling and casino
activities really seems to suit the Vietnamese temperament. It is no wonder
that Vietnamese contingent of players are expected to pick up hundreds of
thousands of dollars in Macau.”
“There is a campaign to make poker an Olympic sport. If that were to
succeed Vietnam would be in prime position for glory.”
Many Vietnamese players have learned the game during the time abroad and
now make a good living from the profession. 34 year-old Liz Lieu was born in
Ho Chi Minh City and donates 20% of her tournament winnings to a charity she
set up to help disadvantaged Vietnamese including cancer victims and victims
of flooding.

Organizers have extended an open invitation to Olympic legend Michael
Phelps to play after he expressed interest in poker. Will Vietnam claim gold
this time around?

For more information and players profiles and performances catch all the
action at http://www.asianpt.com

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).

Asian poker Tour