Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008

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PokerStars.com APPT to debut in New Zealand

By Arthur Crowson

Hundreds of PokerStars players descending on an exotic locale with thousands of dollars up for grabs can usually only mean one thing: It's APPT time, baby.

This time around the Asian Pacific Poker Tour sets its sights on that isolated pair of islands to the south of Australia better known as New Zealand. This marks the first time PokerStars has ventured into New Zealand and, in all likelihood, the biggest poker tournament ever held in the country.

APPT Auckland will, of course, take place in the largest city of New Zealand, known for its impressive Sky Tower, bustling night life, rugged coastline and temperate climate. The city is home to 1.3 million, and is one of the few cities in the world to have a harbor on the shores of two major oceans.

New Zealand is renowned for its geographic isolation, being situated 1,250 miles southeast of Australia. Many North Americans were introduced to the rugged beauty of New Zealand in the uber-successful Lord of the Rings movies, which were all filmed in the country.

APPT Auckland is truly a once-in-a-lifetime poker experience, and every player who comes will get a chance to experience at least some of the country's unique magnificence and culture. Winning money is also good, however, and there should be plenty of that up for grabs in the tournament.

Location of the PokerStars party.

As with all APPT events, you never know who might show up, but it stands to reason there will be at least a handful of Team PokerStars Pro on location. One wonders if famous New Zealanders like 2007 WPT Grand Final runner-up "Captain" Kirk Morrison and former Aussie Millions winner Lee Nelson will attempt to go for glory in their home country.

APPT Auckland will be considerably different from the last two APPT events, which constituted stops in Macau, China and most recently Seoul, South Korea.

It was Japan's Yoshihiro Tasaka who stole the show in South Korea and managed to beat heads-up adversary Hidenari Shiono. Tasaka took down $128,216 for his poker heroics. Some are already calling him Japan's answer to Chris Moneymaker.

Will New Zealand's all-time poker cash leader make an appearance?

Tournament organizers are already estimating that Auckland will be one of the most popular stops on the APPT this year.

APPT Auckland sounded so impressive to PokerListings.com that we decided to fire up the PL.com-branded jet and send a team of reporters to see what the deal is with the "Paradise of the Pacific." Check our live tournaments section for live updates, photos, interviews and blogs from the prestigious tournament.

After Auckland the APPT will be sticking around the South Pacific, as Manila in the Philippines is the next stop on the tour. You can still qualify for the event, so check out some of the amazing satellites on PokerStars.

Related Articles:

• Tasaka claims winner's prize at APPT Seoul
• APPT Seoul set to build on Macau's success
• Sabat, Le triumph at APPT Macau
• More poker set for Macau with APPT
• APPT draws big poker stars

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