The APT (Asian Poker Tour) has officially invited fourteen-time Olympic Gold Medal winning swimmer Michael Phelps to participate in APT Macau for the 2nd time. The twelve-day Asian Poker Tour Macau Festival is set to begin on August 12th, 2009 until August 23rd, 2009 at the Galaxy StarWorld Hotel and Casino in Macau, featuring a HK$34,400 buy-in cost Main Event.
Phelps, who reached the final table of a $1,570 buy-in poker event at the Caesars Poker Classic last year and has publicly professed his love for the game of poker numerous, participated at the FINA world swimming championships in Rome, Italy.
However, the APT is encouraging the man they call "the human dolphin" to get out of the pool and onto the poker felt. The open letter of the Asian Poker Tour to the US swimmer stated that even when Phelps is in Beijing for the Olympics last year, they encouraged the player to head down to APT Macau event at the StarWorld casino.
They heard positive noises but there was no sign of Phelps when the tournament officially started. The letter further stated that the APT would like to extend Phelps the event invite again; all expenses paid and participate in this one-of-a kind poker event in the Asian region.
There was no official confirmation on whether the swimmer even received the invitation from the Asian Poker Tour in 2008 but that has not stopped the organization from trying to invite Phelps again this year. APT officials hope that Phelps will finally accept the invitation for the tournament this year.
08/20/2009 22:05 PM