Next month will see poker players from around Asia gather in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in order to take part in a new tournament being organized by the All Japan Poker Championship (AJPC).

February festivities:

According to an official Tuesday press release published by European Gaming Media and Events, the inaugural Saipan stop of its Asian Circuit is due to be held from February 13 to 17 inside the Imperial Palace Saipan integrated casino resort featuring a range of side events and cash games as well as a $2,000 buy-in main event.

Asian interest:

Sasaki Yasuhiro, Chairman for the AJPC, stated that his organization is the largest operator of poker tournaments in Japan and also intends to host 2019 events in South Korea and Taiwan while bringing new tournaments ‘to other Asian cities’ in hopes of becoming the giant continent’s ‘number-one poker tour.’ He additionally declared that the upcoming Saipan stop of his group’s Asian Circuit is expected to attract large numbers of competitors from all of these aforementioned nations alongside numerous compatriots from China.

Yasuhiro’s statement read…

“The AJPC Asian Circuit is the organizer of Japan’s first international poker event. The Asian Circuit has been a success as well as being the first in Japan to hold an international event in Taiwan. Now, in 2019, we aim to hold the AJPC Asian Circuit in Saipan as the first Japan-based tournament to be held on the island. We will continue to build our brand through launching tournaments in new and exciting destinations.”

Hotel delays continue:

Operated by Hong Kong-listed Imperial Pacific International Holdings Limited, the Imperial Palace Saipan began welcoming guests to enjoy a selection of some 350 slots and 200 gaming tables in July of 2017. The large venue is moreover in process of constructing a 350-room hotel although numerous delays have seen the opening date for this portion of the property continually pushed back meaning that guests will now not be able to stay over until early in 2022.