The Asian Poker Tour (APT) has announced that Matt Savage has signed on as tournament director for the APT’s Manila Main Event next month.
Few men are as qualified for the position. Savage was appointed tournament director for the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 2002 after working his way up the poker ladder. On his watch a boom in prize money at the tournament from £6 million to £25 million developed, and he has worked on more than 300 televised poker shows, in 2003 being awarded the inaugural Benny Binion award for outstanding service to the poker industry.
As tournament director for the Asian Poker Tour Manila leg, Savage will oversee six days of all-out poker action which is expected to attract around 400 players from all over the world. A third of the participants are expected to come from the Philippines, which has seen poker’s popularity surge in recent years.
The ultra modern Dusit Thani Manila Hotel has been announced as the luxury venue that will stage the first leg of the 2008 APT. The exclusive venue in the Philippines’ central business district will provide a fitting backdrop and is the perfect venue for the event as it gives easy access to accommodations, shopping malls, tourist spots and transport services.
After the Philippine leg, the tour moves on to events in Macau, South Korea and Singapore. The buy-in at all four events is $2 500 and the prize pool will be a guaranteed $1 million.
Alongside some of the world’s best players will be a host of internet qualifiers competing for the money at all the venues. These qualifiers will be making their way to the main event by way of online satellite tournaments. The prize packages awarded from these satellites, which are worth $6 000 and cover hotel and travel expenses, wil appeal to many internet players.
The first leg of the APT 2008 runs from May 27 to June 1.