Diary

Monday, Aug. 3, 2009

Like last year, I have been away on secondment from PartyGaming for the Asian Poker Tour events. In 2008, we sent an open invite to Michael Phelps to come to Macau after his considerable achievements in the Olympic Games and we heard positive noises about him coming but no sign of the man with feet like flippers! As I write, he is tearing apart the opposition in the World Swimming Championships. Time to invite him again. Come on Michael, you know you want too.

Dear Michael,
They say a week is a long time in politics, and I’m sure you’ll agree that a year is a long time when you are a world beating Olympic legend. It looks now that you are back to your best and congratulations on the new world record. Last year, we noticed that you had told your local paper that you were a poker buff and since then you have played in small tournaments at Caesars Palace in Vegas and been around and about on the circuit. In fact, lots of poker players claim you’re their friend but whether that is them using their famous bluffing skills is a different matter.

Last year you were in China for the Olympic Games and we encouraged you to head down to the Asian Poker Tour Macau event at the Starworld Casino. We heard positive noises but there was no sign of the human dolphin when they called “shuffle up and deal”. We would like to extend this invite once again to you to come, all expenses paid, and take part in an Asian Poker Tour event.

Forget the controversy about suit changes in your sport, concentrate on these suits: spades, clubs, diamonds, and hearts. Forget your rivalry with Milorand Cavic, how about a heads-up game with the legendary Johnny Chan or modern day poker icon J.C. Tran? We know you couldn’t make the meeting with the Pope but how about a meeting of poker minds in Macau or Manila?

The 2009 Asian Poker Tour Macau was the backdrop to filming a major Chinese language poker film called Poker King, which many believe will be the Rounders of the East. This could be a huge turning point for the game in this part of the world.

Some media reports even suggest that you may have got in with the wrong crowd in the last 12 months — we promise to keep you out of trouble. We’ll give you access to pools of sharks, fish, and those that you swim in. If you don’t want to bring your goggles, fair enough, bring a pair of sunglasses and your poker face. While you are at it, you could ask a certain poker playing President by the name of Barack Hussein Obama II if he fancies joining you.

The question remains is the newly rejuvenated human dolphin really a fish? We hope to find out.

 Best Wishes,
 _The Asian Poker Tour Team_