The Asian Poker Tour’s inaugural event in Vietnam kicked off to a full house and a room full of smiles as tournament players, the APT, World Gaming Group and the Ho Tram Resort Casino Vietnam made a US$6000 donation to Operation Smile which provides cleft palette surgery to needy children nationwide.
With a total of 71 buy-ins at the first No Limit Hold Em event, co-organiser Andrew W Scott CEO of World Players Entertainment called it the biggest turnout he had ever seen for a first event in a new venue. “We are all looking forward to the weekend when some big name players descend on Ho Tram from around the region and the world.”
Shaun McCamley, president of the Ho Tram Resort Casino said it the start of the event exceeded expectations, with players from around the region flying in to join in.
“It was a ringing endorsement of the value of this form of tourism for Vietnam and for all that we have on offer in Ho Tram as well as an honor to be able to do it for a cause as worth as Operation Smile. It’s great that we are able to deal these kids a winning hand.”
Representative of Operation Smile, Che Thi Thu Thao, thanked the team at Asia’s only beach-side integrated resort saying: “This donation will be put to use to restore the smiles of children in southern Vietnam. We would like to thank all at the Ho Tram Resort Casino for helping to brighten the faces and the lives of all of these lucky children.”
Three events were held on the first day, with Singaporean Jereld Sam taking out the Mega Satellite event, earning himself automatic entry into the Main Event, which starts Saturday. Rob Kiss won the Operation Smile Charity event, which generated US$6000 for the organisation. The Welcome event, which attracted better-than-expected player numbers, will continue on Thursday.
This is the first time that Tour-standard competitive poker has been played in Vietnam. The tournament will continue until May 13.
To make reservations at Ho Tram Resort Casino, click here.
