Asian Poker Tour Offering Macau Seat to Michael Phelps

After word spread that the Brunsons, Doyle and Todd, would be attending the Macau stop on the Asian Poker Tour (APT), you'd think that the opening Season II stop would pack enough firepower. Maybe not. The APT is hoping to add Michael Phelps, owner of eight Olympic medals from the current events in Beijing, to its list of entrants after penning the swimming phenom an open invitation to the event.

Season II of the APT kicks off on on August 27th at the Galaxy StarWorld Hotel and Casino Resort in Macau. By the time the $5000+$300 (HK$41,100) buy-in Main Event wraps on August 31st, the APT will have distributed a guaranteed prize pool of $1,500,000 and first-place prize of $500,000. The prize will the largest sum ever awarded to a poker tournament winner in Asia. Joining the Brunsons at the felt will be J.C Tran, John Juanda, Kenny Tran, Nam Le, Quinn Do, Steve Sung and APT Manila champion David Saab. More names will be released in the coming days.

The open letter can be read in its entirety below:

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Dear Michael,

First of all, congratulations on your eight gold medals and world record breaking feats – what a supreme sporting achievement and I hope superstardom treats you well. However, I write this open letter to you to say that I am in a position to add weight to the argument that you should be crowned history's ultimate sportsman.

I noticed recently that you have told your local newspaper that you were a big fan of poker and look forward to playing again. By a strange twist of fate, I represent the Asian Poker Tour and we are running Asia's largest ever guaranteed tournament NEXT WEEK in Macau. It starts on the 27th and runs until the 31st and guarantees a prize pool of $1,500,000 and a first prize of $500,000. This is the biggest prize pool ever offered in Asia! While you are already in China, why don't you give it a go? It would be our pleasure to fly you in, organize your accommodation and buy-you in to the tournament!

Some have said you are a 'human dolphin' but we're keen to know if history's greatest swimmer is really a fish. You may have feet that can reach angles others cannot to give you the ultimate swimming technique but just you wait until you've got sharks like Vegas poker legend Doyle Brunson chasing you. We'll see how fast you really are then when they smell blood - get some flippers on those size 14's!

Don't bring your goggles, bring a pair of sunglasses – dive in at the deep end and we would love it if you showed us your hand. You've almost certainly got more chance of making good money from our $1,500,000 prize pool than securing any commercial deals! Your homecoming to a delirious country can wait.

Go all-in Michael! We'll even get some special one-on-one lessons for you from poker's greatest players. If it makes you happier we'll even bring in Mark Spitz too and you can play heads-up! Some have campaigned for poker to become an Olympic sport. The fact that you are a 'human dolphin' doesn't mean you will necessary get a gold medal for Texas Hold'em!

In all seriousness, come join us, you may as well while you are there! We'll definitely show you a good time and would be honored with your presence. Get the closing ceremony over and done with first though!

Best Wishes,

Jeff Mann

The Asian Poker Tour

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The Main Event will be followed by the three-day, $19,250 (HKD $150,000) buy-in High Rollers Event. Last year, Eric Assadourian owned the High Rollers event, worth $368,640. Dinh Le, a 25-year-old English player, captured the inaugural Macau title and first-place prize money of $222,640.

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