The hugely popular Asia Pacifc Poker Tour (APPT) is set to return in 2018 just 12 months after being dumped as part of a major overhaul by organizer The Stars Group of its global tours.
In a weekend announcement, The Stars Group – owner of the world’s largest online poker site PokerStars – revealed that it was bringing back a number of its most recognized live tournament series including the European Poker Tour (EPT) and Latin America Poker Tour (LAPT). But the news will be particularly well received in Asia with the APPT holding a unique place in history as PokerStars’ first branded international tour when it launched in 2007. The first official APPT event in 2018 will be held at PokerStars LIVE Macau at City of Dreams from 14 to 25 March.
The Stars Group – formerly known as Amaya Inc – had controversially announced in 2016 that it was putting an end to the APPT after 10 seasons and combining all of its live tournament offerings into two series’. The PokerStars Championship and PokerStars Festival.
As part of its latest initiative, The Stars Group has also announced a new US$25,000 buy-in PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship to be held from 6 to 10 January 2019 which will serve as a culmination of all live and online PokerStars tournament series in 2018.
Aimed at being “the richest US$25,000 live event in poker history” according to The Stars Group, the year-long journey to the tournament will see around US$8 million worth of free tournament packages given away and an additional US$1 million added the prize pool. At least one package – including entry fee – will be given away at each tournament stop throughout the year.
“We expect the PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship will set the new global standard for live poker tournaments,” said The Stars Group CEO Rafi Ashkenazi. “We want to demonstrate and reinforce our commitment to the game, and give something back to the players by investing in our live events in a meaningful way. Our objective is to create an event that brings professionals and amateurs together, creating many winning moments and unforgettable stories.”
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