Solaire Casino Resort to Host First-Ever WPT National Event in the Philippines
Starting Oct. 18, the Solaire Resort and Casino in the Entertainment City area of Parañaque City, Philippines, will host the country's first-ever World Poker Tour National series, a 12-day poker festival built around a 13-event schedule.
"The World Poker Tour continues to expand across the globe, especially in Asia where the growth is phenomenal," the World Poker Tour President Adam Pliska explained in a press conference held at Solaire on August 13.
"The Philippines represents what we want poker to evolve to be," Pliska continued. "It’s a very warm and welcoming place and with a first-class venue like the Solaire, both local and foreign players will have a great time on and off the felt."
The five-year partnership deal signed by the World Poker Tour and the Solaire Casino Resort will see the participation of WPT icons as the tour director Matt Savage, WPT host Mike Sexton and the charming Royal Flush Girls.
"The Philippines has always been the hub for this region, whether it’s for travel, trade or culture. So it just makes complete sense to have an international event in a country that has so much to offer than any other destination in Asia,” said Solaire’s chief poker promoter Mike Kim.
According to Kim, the festival's $2,200 Main Event is expected to attract a field of 600 to 900 players. Should Kim's estimate turn out to be correct, the WPT Manila Main Event would then become the richest poker tournament ever held in the Philippines, as it would feature a staggering prize pool of around $1,600,000.
"We are constantly creating ways for our guests to have the ultimate resort experience so hosting the largest and most recognizable poker tour in the world only comes naturally for us," said President and CEO of Solaire Resort and Casino Thomas Arasi to the media.
"Solaire is about creating moments, and the WPT is going to provide many powerful moments for everyone involved,” Arasi continued.
Together with the four-day, $2,200 Main Event starting on Oct. 25, the Philippines' first-ever WPT National will feature a two-day $25,500 high roller event on Oct.24 and a €550 celebrity event on Oct. 19.
Here's a look at the full festival schedule:
| Date | Time | # | Event | Buy-In | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 18 | 3:00 pm | 1 | An Afternoon with the Pros - POKER SEMINAR and MEET & GREET | FREE | |
| Oct. 18 | 6:00 pm | 2 | No Limit Hold'Em CHARITY REBUY - Solaire Cares | $100 | $20 |
| Oct. 19 | 1:00 pm | 3 | No Limit Hold'Em HEADHUNTER (Day 1) | $400 | $40 |
| Oct. 19 | 6:00 pm | 4 | No Limit Hold'Em CELEBRITY EVENT | $500 | $50 |
| Oct. 20 | 1:00 pm | No Limit Hold'Em HEADHUNTER (Day 2) | |||
| Oct. 20 | 3:00 pm | 5 | No Limit Hold'Em REBUY | $150 | $20 |
| Oct. 21 | 1:00 pm | 6 | Pot Limit Omaha WARMUP (Day 1) | $300 | $30 |
| Oct. 21 | 1:00 pm | Pot Limit Omaha WARMUP (Day 2) | |||
| Oct. 21 | 3:00 pm | 7 | $200 No Limit Hold'Em WARMUP (Day 1) | $200 | $20 |
| Oct. 22 | 3:00 pm | $200 No Limit Hold'Em WARMUP (Day 2) | |||
| Oct. 22 | 1:00 pm | 8 | $500 Pot Limit Omaha (Day 1) | $500 | $50 |
| Oct. 23 | 6:00 pm | 9 | $300 No Limit Hold'Em (Day 1) | $300 | $30 |
| Oct. 24 | 1:00 pm | $500 Pot Limit Omaha (Day 2) | |||
| Oct. 24 | 6:00 pm | $300 No Limit Hold'Em (Day 2) | |||
| Oct. 24 | 3:00 pm | 10 | $25k No Limit Hold'Em HIGHROLLER (Day 1) | $25,000 | $500 |
| Oct. 25 | 3:00 pm | $25k No Limit Hold' Em HIGHROLLER (Day 2) | |||
| Oct. 25 | 12:00 pm | 11 | WPT MANILA MAIN EVENT (Day 1A) | $2,000 | $200 |
| Oct. 26 | 12:00 pm | WPT MANILA MAIN EVENT (Day 1B) | $2,000 | $200 | |
| Oct. 26 | 6:00 pm | 12 | $500 No Limit Hold'Em 6MAX (Day 1) | $500 | $50 |
| Oct. 27 | 12:00 pm | WPT MANILA MAIN EVENT (Day 2) | |||
| Oct. 27 | 6:00 pm | $500 No Limit Hold'Em 6MAX (Day 2) | |||
| Oct. 27 | 3:00 pm | 13 | $1000 No Limit Hold'Em (Day 1) | $1,000 | $100 |
| Oct. 28 | 12:00 pm | WPT MANILA MAIN EVENT (Final Table) | |||
| Oct. 28 | 3:00 pm | $1000 No Limit Hold'Em (Day 2) |
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