Each stop on season three of the PokerStars.net Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) has delivered something new for players. In Macau, it was a superb new venue at the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino; in Auckland, a permanent home in New Zealand's largest poker room while the move from...more
There was a story waiting to be written in Vilamoura tonight, one of a child chess prodigy turned poker player winning an EPT event and rocking the poker world after he'd only narrowly missed out three weeks ago in Warsaw. But as anyone who has played this game will...more
The PCA is about to get a lot prettier. It's also about to experience the wrath of some of the best female poker players in the world. In both cases, it sounds like an improvement. PokerStars has announced that the 2010 PCA will include a Ladies Weekend and satellites are...more
When Amer Sulaiman boarded an airplane from Toronto to Costa Rica, he never expected to return home with an extra $172,095 in his pocket, let alone an LAPT title. The 45-year old Iraqi-born Canadian resident came to Playa Conchal for a vacation with his girlfriend, but at the last...more
Envy isn't a productive emotion and we try to avoid it as often as we can. That said, after talking with Sol Bergren, we're finding it hard to cage the green monster. Bergren is young, relaxed, leading the life of many people's dreams, and holds the chip lead going into...more
Rob Woodcock probably went to bed last night dreaming of a repeat final table appearance here in Costa Rica, and going into Day 2 with 147,600 in chips, it wasn't too remote a fantasy. Woodcock pulled off the rare feat of ending Day 1 as the chip leader here in...more
Rob Woodcock has history here in Costa Rica. It was just last year that the British PokerStars Supernova came to San Jose and ended Day 1 as the chip leader. He went on to finish in 9th place for $17,098. While a good finish, he certainly hoped for more....more
Thousands of feet above the dark green canopy that makes up most of Costa Rica, it's impossible to get a sense for the place. It looks fake, like something Universal Studios might create for an American tourist or a film producer might doctor to make his movie look like paradise....more
Sitting at breakfast this morning, a couple of PokerStars Qualifiers stood nearby awaiting their freshly cooked omelettes. We chatted about this and that for a minute or so, before they turned and asked: "See you next year?" That seems to be the sentiment as players start to say their goodbyes...more
Live updates from the final table, level 26 (blinds 30,000-60,000, ante 5000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected...more
Live updates from the final table, level 25 (blinds 25,000-50,000, ante 5000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected...more
Live updates from the final table, level 24 (blinds 20,000-40,000, ante 4000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected...more
Live updates from the final table, level 23 (blinds 15,000-30,000, ante 3000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected...more
Live updates from the final table, level 22 (blinds 12,000-24,000, ante 2000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected...more
Live updates from the final table, level 21 (blinds 10,000-20,000, ante 2000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected...more
Live updates from the final table, level 20 (blinds 8000-16,000, ante 2000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected...more
The citizens of the Philippines awoke this morning with a dilemma. Church or Pacquiao? Pacquiao or church? In this highly religious country, church is part of the weekly ritual. But this is different, this is the Philippines' favourite son - Manny "The Pacman" Pacquiao. Judging from the hundreds packed...more
Live updates from day 3, level 21 (blinds 10,000-20,000, ante 2000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Seat 1: Mark Pagsuyuin, Manila, Philippines (497,000 in chips): Despite being one of the short stacks on the final table, there's no doubt that this PokerStars Cebu Satellite winner will go down fighting and have the crowd cheering him on along with his wife of 18 years. The 43-year-old...more
Live updates from day 3, level 20 (blinds 8000-16000, ante 2000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Live updates from day 3, level 19 (blinds 6000-12,000, ante 100) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Live updates from day 3, level 18 (blinds 5000-10,000, ante 1000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Live updates from day 3, level 17 (blinds 4000-8000, ante 500) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Live updates from day 3, level 16 (blinds 3000-6000, ante 500) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Live updates from day 3, level 15 (blinds 2500-5000, ante 500) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Live updates from day 2, level 14 (blinds 2000-4000, ante 400) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Yep, sunny and warm again here today in the countdown to day three of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in the southern Philippines. There are more than a few sore heads this morning after last night's Metro Card Club APPT Cebu Party...more
PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event day 3 seat draw Table 1 Seat 1: Mike Gaertner (Cambodia) PokerStars Player 257,000 Seat 2: Danny Sangwook Byun (Korea) 124,000 Seat 3: Mark Pagsuyuin (Philippines) 61,500 Seat 4: Dustin Dorrance-Bowman (USA) PokerStars Player 260,000 Seat 5: Allih (Yoyong) Bansuan (Philippines) 299,500 Seat 6:...more
Live updates from day 2, level 13 (blinds 1500-3000, ante 300) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Live updates from day 2, level 12 (blinds 1200-2400, ante 300) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Live updates from day 2, level 11 (blinds 1000-2000, ante 200) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Live updates from day 2, level 10 (blinds 800-1600, ante 200) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Live updates from day 2, level 9 (blinds 600-1200, ante 100) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Live updates from day 2, level 8 (blinds 500-1000, ante 100) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip...more
Welcome to another perfect Philippines morning for day two of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event. Players are grabbing a quick bite to eat at the Tides buffet or taking a dip in the pool before heading across to The Marquee for the race to a spot in the...more
The line-up for day two has been finalised in the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event after two day one flights under the big top here at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa. The Marquee has been packed to capacity all day with side events, cash games and a day 1B...more
PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event day 2 seat allocation Table 1 Seat 1: TBC (Taipei) 28900 Seat 2: Un Jung Yum (Korea) 47500 Seat 3: Lester Edoc (Philippines) 66700 Seat 4: Frank Salvador (Philippines) PokerStars Qualifier 40400 Seat 5: Raul Fernandez (Philippines) 31000 Seat 6: Ender Ozkan (USA) 10800...more
By Landon Blackhall Most poker players love following some form of sport, and visitors don't have to go far to get their dose in the Philippines. However, the domestic sporting scene is dominated by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The competition was launched in 1975, making it the oldest...more
By Landon Blackhall Day 1B in the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event is starting to take shape, with more big names hitting the rail and an outright chip leader emerging. PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Tony Hachem has enjoyed phenomenal success this year, having secured the PokerStars.net ANZPT Player of...more
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There are people who cannot succeed without adversity. They need pressure. They require potential disaster to force them beyond even their own expectations. The poker world is just getting to know Joe Cada, but it's clear the new World Series of Poker champion thrives on the edge. In a heads-up...more
Who is Toto, the famed Malapascua dive guide, kidding? "The shark is more scared of you," he laughs as members of the dive party start to slip below the waves. "But Toto, who told the shark?" That's one of the questions to pops into the minds of divers as...more
With a loaded field and scores of locals determined to claim one of the big scalps, it's hardly surprising that the rate of eliminations has been higher than yesterday after the opening three levels in the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event. PokerStars.net Team Australia Pro Eric Assadourian was...more
By Landon Blackhall and Sean Callander The records are tumbling in The Marquee at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa where more than 200 players - 213 to be exact - have taken their seats for day 1B of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event. That means the Main Event...more
Tournament venues tend to be fairly quiet in the AM hours as players charge up their batteries for a long day's play or sleep off a long night on the tables. Not here at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa. Players and their guests are hitting the brekky buffet early...more
Less than half of the day 1A field will return for Friday's day 2 after the opening session of play in the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event. They include nine PokerStars Qualifiers and four PokerStars Cebu Satellite winners. Players from across the world converged on the idyllic Shangri-La's...more
By Landon Blackhall It's no big secret that poker has caught the world by storm, but throughout the Great Poker Boom in the last few years, there's one country that hasn't popped in poker-related conversations too often: Mongolia. Landlocked between mainland China and Russia, Mongolia is the world's most...more
By Landon Blackhall and Sean Callander There's been a running gag in the past couple of days at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa - with the sun shining and so much to do, no-one's going to be too disappointed if they're eliminated in the early stages of the PokerStars.net...more
One of the joys of travelling with the PokerStars.net Asia Pacific Poker Tour is experiencing different countries and cultures. We've visited countries like Korea, where conformity is an obsession, and countries like the Philippines, where parents will go to extraordinary lengths to make their children stand out from the...more
By Landon Blackhall The Philippines is an intriguing mish-mash of Eastern and Western. The locals are proud of their traditions, but at the same time, they have a unique ability to adapt to a changing world without it affecting them. It could also be said that those endearing qualities...more
It's tough to keep a good man down, as we discovered when Filipino poker icon Wally "The Dream" Sombero walked through the door into the Marquee to take his seat on day 1A of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event. Less than two months ago, a van in which...more
By Landon Blackhall The cards are in the air on day 1A of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event, and as is tradition on the tour, players were treated to a taste of local culture. Today we welcomed performers who treated the players to a display of the Sinulog...more
With respect to previous welcome parties held on the PokerStars.net APPT, this one is going to take some topping ... APPT Cebu kicked off with a bang last night at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa. The weather was warm, the beach meticulously groomed, the drinks cold and plentiful...more
The concept of Shangri-La was first described by British author James Hilton in his 1933 novel Lost Horizon (subsequently made into movies of the same name in 1937 and 1973); a place that defined the concept of paradise, isolated from the outside world, utopian, harmonious and mystical. Those words...more
A few years ago, when jetting was not yet Easy and before Ryan had taken to the Air, the idea of a Briton visiting Estonia would have been laughed out of the departure lounge. But low-cost air travel has not only allowed stag nights to go rampaging around Europe's...more