One of the biggest poker tournaments in Asia-Pacific region begins today for a 17-day poker fiesta at the PokerStars LIVE, City of Dreams, Macau. The 23rd edition of Macau Poker Cup brings 17 Official Asia Player of the Year (APOY) events including the renowned HK$5,000,000 Gtd Red Dragon Main event.
The Asian poker felt has seen some of the finest performances by Indian poker players in recent times. Be it the runner-up finish by Abhishek Goindi in the Red Dragon Event in 2012, Kunal Patni winning the ACOP Spadie last year or Rajeev Raut’s incredible run in March 2015, Indian players have shown the potential to dominate the big Asian fields. Over 10 Indian grinders are hitting the Macau turf for the 23rd edition of Macau Poker Cup. The presence of PokerStars pro Aditya Agarwal, Adda52 Team Spades pros Amit Jain, Kunal Patni & Aditya Sushant and Team Thrill pros Dhaval Mudgal, Sahil Agarwal, Jasven Saigal, Kavish Kukreja & Shravan Chabbria makes it a star studded Team India at MPC 23.
The poker fans in India are hopeful for their favourites to slay the dragon this season and bring the MPC Main event trophy home. The HK$12,000 Main Event saw 3 cash finishes by Indians in March 2015 – Kunal Patni (41st), Aditya Sushant (62nd) and Kavish Kukreja (66th). Overall, the last season of Macau Poker Cup was a successful outing for Team India with over 10 notable cash finishes across the series.
The HK$1 million Gtd Baby Dragon launched season, $20,000 No Limit Hold’em, Red Dragon Main Event and HK$80,000 High Roller will be under spotlight in MPC23. The winner of the Main Event will also receive HK$100,000 entry to 2015 ACOP Main Event. The series will culminate with $2,500 Deepstack NLH and $5,000 KO Bounty on 13th September.
OPN spoke to a few Indian players heading to Macau to know their plans for the 17 days long poker festival.
“Macau has always been good to me. My claim to fame was the Spadie I won at the same venue in October. Post that I have had 3 more final tables and 3 other cashes in Macau. I am doing the whole series for MPC 23 and hoping for a similar good run in Macau. Also hoping that I improve on my ranking in the APOY where I am currently ranked 35th,” said Kunal Patni.
“I’m very excited about the MPC. I’m in decent form and happy with my consistency. I’m most excited about the main event which should cross 1000 people this time and also looking forward to the 20k event,” said Dhaval Mudgal.
Aditya Sushant who was once in top 10 chip counts in the Red Dragon event in MPC 22 but unfortunately fell in 62nd place said, “I’m looking forward to playing the Main Event and bettering my run from last time.”
“This is going to be my shortest trip to Macau only 3 days just gonna play main and get back as I bust. Have been traveling a lot last few months so taking it easy but I would like to wish the best of luck to all my fellow Indian poker players who are doing the full series,” said Amit Jain.
Many more Indian players are expected to join the MPC action. Stay Tuned to OPN for all updates from Macau Poker Cup 23.
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