ARCHIVE

Singapore Stages First Poker Forum in the Region - 23 March 2008, Singapore

Singapore played host to the region’s fi rst poker forum cum clinic on 23 March at the Orchard Hotel. The event drew in enthusiastic poker fans who wanted to hear from the pros on how to stay ahead in the game.

The event was organised by Boom Event Management who said an Asian Poker Series tournament is planned, which is further evidence of the opening up of the gaming market in Asia. The series in Singapore could be held in the third quarter of this year. The inaugural Asian Poker Forum 2008 presented two well-known poker figures, who shared their expertise and experiences of the card game.

Linda Johnson – known as the “First Lady of Poker”, former publisher of Card Player, co-founder of the Tournament Directors
Association (TDA) and poker relations consultant for WPT, expounded on Tournament Strategies.
Jan Fisher – a professional poker player, writer and co-founder of TDA, spoke on Playing and Managing Poker.
Dr Alan Soh – founder of the Singapore-based Casino College@AGMI International and former president of the Regency Card Club and Casino, painted an encompassing picture of Poker Today.

The forum speakers delivered their ideas and thoughts coherently. Dr Alan Soh kicked off with his overall view of poker in Asia and particularly in the Singapore context, where he thinks there will be a shortage of locally trained staff to man the upcoming casinos of Marina
Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa. Linda Johnson explained the intricacies of tournament strategies. When asked if she has a particular poker face, the World Series of Poker.

(WSOP) 1997 champion said, “I have several. It depends on my opponents. I can be smiley, I can be serious.” Women are easier to bluff, but it’s better to practise with men and she continued, “Men think women never have it, and are afraid to bluff.” How does luck figure in the game? Johnson said, “In the short term, you can get lucky, but in the long term, it’s talent and skill.”

Jan Fisher talked about playing and managing poker and she said the object of playing poker is making the right decisions. She said, “Poker is about correct decisions. That’s what separates poker from all other casino games. I still play the odd game with my 85-year-old father, whose mind is real alert.” All good gamers have to have ‘tunnel vision’. Fisher said, “Focus. Look away for a split second and you have missed something. The only time to look elsewhere is when the dealer is cutting cards.” A parting advice, “Do not play with people better than you. The world’s eighth best player can be broke, because he plays with the top seven!” POKER TIMES

Las Vegas Nite @ SMU Poker - 8th March 08, Singapore

The Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Bondue Vegas Nite 2008 was held at the campus’ sports hall on March 15 amid much glitter and excitement. More than 300 students and invited guests fi lled the hall, which was transformed into the likeness of a main gaming hall of a casino replete with real gaming tables for blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker. A local casino college even provided professional croupiers for the occasion.

The school event adopted a East Meets West casino theme. The guys were dressed up to the nines, in quality suits, jackets and ties. Many gals were togged out in glamorous gowns that accentuated their sensual fi gures and their cleavages, certainly dressed to kill at the party and at the tables. A live band provided music to go with the endless thrills at the gaming tables and a sumptuous buff et spread.

The main highlight of the event was the poker tournament, which drew more than 70 participants. Originally organised for the students, it later turned into a “professional” poker event, attended by more than 10 local pros and semi pros to vie for the SMU Poker Champ title.

Experienced poker players like Joshua Ang, Nat, Andry and Daniel were unfortunately knocked out at the preliminary rounds, leaving Densel Ke to make it to the final table of eight players. Densel Ke took the lead at the final table with the most chips. It climaxed with a heads-up between the two remaining players – Densel Ke and Andy Ong.

By now all eyes were on the showdown at the poker table. Supporters crowded round the table with some standing on chairs to cheer the players. Eventually, amateur player Andy Ong (left image), who was learning to play the game, knocked out local pro Densel Ke (right image) in an “all-in” during a flop with a K high to clinch the SMU Poker Champ title.

A fi rst-year business student and playing for the first time in a poker tournament, Andy Ong appropriately won the tournament and did SMU proud. The Tournament Directors were SMU students Eileen Tan and Sajnani Kunal, while Ivan Tan.

Poker Times debuts at ‘Old Market’ - 4th February 08, Singapore

Poker Times makes its first appearance to the public in busy downtown Singapore on February 4 at Lau Pa Sat or Old Market in the Chinese Fujian dialect. Timed for the business-district lunch-time office crowd, the soft launch of Poker Times attracted curious onlookers as well as people who wanted to know more of Asia’s only casino gaming publication that is circulated throughout the region.

Lunchers at the originally 1894-built octagonal cast-iron food centre were soon digesting the attractive Poker Times and their delightful food all at one go.Complimentary copies were quickly snapped up in the midst of a lively subscription drive and a crowdpulling contest to put the city folks in the right mood. Poker Times is circulated in the Asia-Pacific countries of Macau, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, the Philippines,Cambodia, Thailand, Japan and the US. It has a targeted readership of over 200,000 mature readers, professionals, executives and gaming enthusiasts.