WSOP Announces Asia Pacific Bracelet Series for 2013
Five gold bracelets will be awarded at the inaugural WSOP APAC series in April 2013. The move follows the WSOP's successful expansion to Europe in 2007 where bracelets have been awarded in England and France for the last five years.
The World Series of Poker announced yesterday a partnership with the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia that will introduce the first ever WSOP Asia Pacific series of tournaments. The inaugural WSOP APAC series will run from April 4-15, 2013 and will feature five gold bracelet events.
The agreement between the Crown Casino, home of the popular Aussie Millions each January, and the WSOP is for multiple years. The move follows the WSOP's successful expansion to Europe in 2007 where bracelets have been awarded in England and France for the last five years. The schedule of events for the 2013 WSOP APAC will be announced later this year.
2005 WSOP Main Event champion Joe Hachem of Melbourne -- the only Australian ever to win the ME -- called the news "a dream come true" and said it was "thrilling to think the World Series of Poker is coming to Australian soil."
Representatives of both the WSOP and the Crown Casino also expressed excitement over the announcement.
"This exciting partnership brings together two industry leaders, and two strong brands, to create a premier poker event in this region," commented Greg Hawkins, CEO of Crown Melbourne. He added that the "agreement firmly aligns with our objective of attracting the very best local and international players, all vying for a coveted WSOP bracelet."
WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart shared Hawkins' enthusiasm, adding that the WSOP's ultimate goal "is to establish the worldwide grand slam of poker and use our platform to elevate the game through a series of major championships."
Stewart additionally noted that the Crown Casino's lengthy track record of success with the Aussie Millions made it an ideal choice of venue for the new WSOP Asia Pacific series.
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