The Asian Poker Tour (APT) will continue to offer events at Resorts World Manila (RWM) thanks to an exclusive deal signed recently by the two. The 12-year poker partnership is now continuing for two additional years, with a minimum of two APT Poker Festivals coming to Resorts through 2023’s end. So far, the schedule includes a festival from April 27-May 8 and September 7-18 of this year.

Successful Partnership

2022 is the 12th year that the two have worked together in the Philippines, bringing a total of 25 poker events and festivals to players within that time frame. Every year, events hosted by APT at Resorts World have been successful in attracting more players than ever before. International and local players come out to take part in the events.

In 2019, the APT saw record player entries as well as prize pool payouts. The tour was also able to bring a larger variety of events to players. APT CEO Jeff Mann, made the announcement of the new agreement, stating it’s good to be back. He also commented:

“Like many live, large-scale events, we had to take a break for two years because of Covid, but we are already targeting at least 8 major events in Asia this year and I am delighted – and it is appropriate – that we start on our post-Covid‘ build back stronger’ campaign with our long-term partner Resorts World Manila.”

Mr. Hakan Dagtas, Resorts World Manila Executive Vice President and Chief Gaming and Marketing Officer, commented as well, stating that before the pandemic began, the casino had plans to create the largest poker room in Asia. Now that normal operations are back, the venue will bring back its plans and work to see Manila become the poker capital of the region.

Mystery Bounty Weekend Concludes

As the announcement was made by APT and RWM, the APT was finishing up the Mystery Bounty Weekend at the casino. The series took place from March 3-6 and offered more than three million in guaranteed prize money.

One highlight poker event of the stop was the Mystery Bounty Deep Stack Turbo. The event had a buy-in of PHP 6,600 and saw 46 players competing. The main prize pool was PHP 175,700 with the bounty pool of PHP 92,000. Five players would earn a payout.

In the end, it was Grace Takayama and Neil Lawrence battling it out in the heads-up round. Takayama had a 2 to 1 chip lead going into the final round but Lawrence would take the chip lead with an A-J hand over A-5. Maintaining the lead, Lawrence would secure the win on the final hand with A-J yet again up against A-2 of Takayama.