Final 32 Look to take first APT Korea Trophy

The first APT main event tournament with a buy-in of US$2,700 enters its final stages with some notable names in poker vying to take home the first APT Korea Main Event trophy. Although not chip leader, Johnny Chan one of the most recognized faces in professional poker leads the ‘names’ in their quest to reach the money ahead of the many talented amateurs from around the world who have become regulars at APT events.

Johnny Chan shows why he is one of the best in the world

Other known names in the final 32 include PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang; Sam Razavi from UK, the 2012 APT Player of the year and current points leader in the 2013 race. Leading the Japanese contingent is Tetsuya Tsuchikawa, currently ranked third this year’s APT POY standings; Steve Sung, one of the more prolific young and upcoming players in the world who has already amassed US$ 4.5 million in tournament play, and high roller specialist David Steicke from Hong Kong.

2012 APT Player of the Year Sam Razavi

Menchu Esdaile is currently running second in the APT POY standings

Japan’s Tetsuya Tsuchikawa

“Earlier in the year we came to Jeju for our very first event: APT Jeju which was part of our Asian Series featuring a buy-in of US$1,000 and attracted a respectable 166 players but our partners here wanted to try the bigger, higher buy-in event this time. We have had fewer players although that was to be expected. But we are very confident that we have the foundation now for staging at least two APT events in Korea in 2014,” said APT’s CEO Jeff Mann.

More images from the Asian Poker Tour Korea 2013…

Main Event Chip Leader: Suh Seong Hun

Olympic Skating medalist Apolo Ohno cool as ice

Singapore’s Bryan Huang

Steve Sung makes his return to the APT felt

Phoenix Entertainment CEO Sang Park

Yuri Ishida receives her DafaPoker Pot Limit Omaha trophy from APT’s Raymund Gamier