Japan to welcome 1,000 to major poker duel
Posted by Gavin Smith on 14 May 2009 at 08:05
Japan's simmering love affair with poker could enter a new phase as about 1,000 people are expected to play in the All Japan Poker Championship.
Officials at the Japan Poker Association have said although poker is attracting more and more interest in Japan, it is still not drawing the same numbers as in many western countries.
Quoted by Metropolis Magazine, Ichiro Tanioka, chairman of the association, said: "Because not enough Japanese have experience with taking risks, many people went too far during the bubble and gambled their way to ruin,"
Number one prize at the All Japan Poker Championship (AJPC) is a bracelet and a $10,000 buy-in for the 2009 World Series of Poker.
About 800 seats in total were made available over two days for qualifiers on May 9 and 10. People can also walk in, although a seat will not be guaranteed on the day.
One person who needs no convincing as to the fun of the game is Zara Phillips, who was among celebrities playing at a charity poker tournament in Monaco on April 27.
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