Poker Cup Sets Macau on Fire

Macau Poker Cup Red Dragon winner James McCarty.

With more than 1,000 players across seven events and three record-breaking fields, the latest Macau Poker Cup is being hailed a rousing success.

PokerStars Macau at Casino Grand Lisboa played host to the 5-day poker celebration from Sep. 1-5 and awarded a record HKD $4,512,353 in prize money.

Three tournaments set record prize pools and total player entries crossed the 4-figure mark for the first time with 1,060 players registered.

A total of 314 players entered the Red Dragon main event, creating a HKD $2,859,912 prize pool that made it the second largest in the event's history.

After a 14-hour final Sunday, Japan’s James McCarty emerged victorious, grabbing the title and HKD $643,000 first-place prize.

Local hero Ginger Keong appeared destined to win three-handed, with over half the chips in play, but pocket aces at the right time sent McCarty into heads-up play with a 7-to-1 chip lead.

“I come here (to PokerStars Macau) every couple months and specifically like the deep tournament structure.” said the 27-year McCarty.

“I feel I played well, but also got lucky at the right time.”