Find out more about the Asian Poker tour (APT) series of events. Play Texas Hold'em in Australia, India, China and the Philippines, and qualify online.
Founded in 2008, the Asian Poker Tour (APT) is looking to position itself as one of, if not the, premier poker tournament series across the Asia region.
And despite growing competition from PokerStars' regional series here, plus WSOP and WPT legs appearing on the continent, the APT continues to go from strength to strength. The tour's growing popularity is testament to the hold poker is having in Asia. Not only that, but some of the venues are pretty gorgeous, too!
This year, the Asian Poker Tour will once again be holding big events at Asia's most popular poker destinations, including India, Korea, the Philippines and Macau.
With wallet-friendly buy-ins around the AUD$1,000-$2,000 mark for some legs, there's really no excuse not to give the APT a try if you're balking at some of the bigger buy-ins on the APPT or ANZPT.
How Did It All Start?
2008's first series had just two legs – Macau and Philippines – but Season 2 saw the series expanded to eight legs, mostly spread between Macau and the Philippines. The Indian resort of Goa was added to the list of venues in the APT's 2011 season.
Further legs were added in 2012 – most interestingly in Cambodia and London, England (home to a strong Chinese population) – but in December 2013 Sydney hosted the tour's first ever stop in Australia. This could prove to be the first of many Australasian stops, and with the popularity of the APPT and the ANZPT, there's every chance that will happen.
Any Big Winners?
Despite its humble beginnings, the APT still boasted some big winners in the early years. Australian pro, David Saab, won the inaugural event at the Dusit Thani Hotel in the Philippines, and rising star Yevgeniy Timoshenko – who would go on to become WPT World Champion in 2009 – took down the other leg in Macau.
Over the course of the APT's life, many of Asia' best players have anted up – and won – legs on the tour, and as the game's popularity grows in Asia, expect bigger prize pools – and bigger names – to appear.
How Do I Qualify?
With so many countries taking part in the Asian Poker Tour, qualifying structures vary from leg to leg.
For live satellites, check with the individual casinos that are hosting the events, as they may carry cheap buy-in live qualifiers so you can try and gain your place for just a few dollars.
There is also an online satellite presence with several Internet sites open to Australian players, so make sure you check with the recommended sites we feature here.
Online Guaranteed Packages
Online qualifiers normally carry at least one winner's package per satellite final that includes a Main Event buy-in to the APT event, accommodation, and travel costs. And when you're flying to Goa, the Philippines or Macau, those costs can really add up.
Join one of our fantastic recommended online sites today and earn yourself a huge deposit bonus, then you can start qualifying for a great APT leg right away.