For the second year in a row, this Special Administrative Region of China -- a major gambling destination with gambling revenues exceeding even those of Las Vegas -- is playing host to the Asian Poker Tour Macau Main Event. And for the second year in a row, PokerNews is here to cover the action.
257 players comprised the 2008 APT Macau Main Event field. The tournament stretched across four poker-filled days and was ultimately taken down by young Yevgeniy Timoshenko in one of the most dominating final-table performances we've seen on the poker circuit. His reward was half a million U.S. greenbacks.
This year the buy-in has been lowered slightly, from $5,300 to $4,400. That, along with the Asian Poker Tour's continued expanding presence in the region, should result in a larger field. The action promises to be just as exciting as it was last year.
Non-pareil TD Matt Savage will call for cards in the air at noon local time, in about 45 minutes. From that moment until the new champion drags the last pot, PokerNews is your source for all the happenings. See you soon!
, Steicke checked to the preflop raiser. That player bet 600. After the player in between folded, Steicke check-raised to 1,700 and was called.
. Steicke bet another 2,700 chips and was called again. A potential flush filled with the 
river. Steicke made a weak lead of 2,400, then snap-called when his opponent jammed all in. Steicke's opponent showed the second nut flush, 
, but it was no good against Steicke's nut flush, 
.
, Cole checked before Phan bet 500. Dunst folded, prompting Cole to check-raise to 1,700. Phan studied the board for a few moments before moving all in for about 6,000 total. Cole snap-called.
. The board blanked out 
to secure the victory for Phan. He now has about 12,500 chips.
