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2016 Asian Poker Tour Season: What to expect

Almost as soon as the POY champion has been crowned, the holidays have flown past, and we are ready to set off on the journey that is, APT 2016. There will be numerous great stops ahead, with all the usual excitement and fanfare that comes with them. Here is a closer look at what to expect from APT 2016. 

 Bubble protection

The biggest change for 2016 would have to be the 'bubble protection' concept, which allows any player entering the Main Event who preregisters, draws their seat, and has their chips in play from the first deal, to qualify. Bubble protection means that if any qualifying player bubbles the Main Event, they will have their buy in paid for the next APT Main Event on the tour. If you bust out then re-enter on the same day, you still qualify. If you re-enter on a different day, you must follow the three starting steps again.

 High Roller events

Another exciting adjustment for APT 2016 sees the High Roller events getting a makeover. Starting stacks will now be a considerably deeper at 40,000 instead of 25,000. Furthermore, PLO has now been added to the list of High Roller Events, with one scheduled to take place at each stop on the tour.The buy in for the APT Philippines Main Event is also scheduled to increase, to USD$3,300.

APT-Girls1

APT Girls

 APT Player of the Year Awards

The prestigious APT Player of the Year awards are also being upgraded for 2016, with players finishing 2nd and 3rd no longer being given awards. Instead, the awards system will seek to recognise the best players on a national level, with trophies for the top performing players from each country (Philippines, Japan, Korea, China, and one for the top nationality outside of those countries mentioned). The outright winner of the leader board will still be awarded the same USD$10,000  worth of APT prizes as usual and the national winners USD$2,000 worth of APT prizes.

 Okinawa Poker Cup

Japan will also feature more prominently, as the APT have taken the decision to provide sponsorship for the Okinawa Poker Cup. This event was only held for the first time last year, but generated a good sized field, with Jun Funabashi taking victory last time around. For 2016, the APT is adding 3 Main Event packages for APT Philippines, to be awarded to the top 3 finishers. Event  will be held from February 5th to the 8th at the Western World Bar in Okinawa.

APT New Caledonia?

With these exciting new changes, the APT continue to show their commitment to input from their players, and innovation when it comes to holding their events. They are always seeking to improve what they offer, not only in terms of format, but also location.

With the APT Kickoff, APT Cebu, and APT Philippines all scheduled between now and April, there are also whispers of the tour arriving in New Caledonia towards the end of the year. All in all, another exciting twelve months ahead for players on the APT.

 

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Louis Hartwell

Graduated in Media Communication at the University of Lausanne, Louis Hartman is a co-founder of somuchpoker.com. He began his career in Cambodia as freelance journalist. In same time he was making his living by playing poker every night at that time. Intense learner, he read dozens of poker strategy books to improve his skills during many years. With a strong interest about poker "behind the scene" in Asia and his communication skills, Louis launched Somuchpoker in 2014.

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