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2:42pm: Photo evidence
For those who might have been wondering if the Phil Ivey Returns story was legit, we offer this photographic evidence taken just moments ago. --BW
Phil Ivey at APPT Macau main event

2:30pm: Back to it
Players are back in their seats for the third level of the day. --BW
2:23pm: Inside the APPT number crunching factory
While we're waiting on the players to come back to their seats, here's some facts from the the APPT statistics factory.
0 - Players with more than one APPT titles
0 - Players with more than one major Asia title
5 - Players who can catch No. 1 Shaq Lin for Asia Player of the Year by Main Event alone (based on approximately 3200 APOY points for 1st place)
10 - Single season record for Final Tables in Asia; tied between Aaron Lin & Alexandre Chieng
169 - Number of PokerStars qualifiers in current APPT Macau Main Event
538 - Record field size for APPT Macau in Season 2
2,080,999 - Number of dollars in the record prize pool for APPT Macau in Season 3 (HKD $16M)
--BW
2:20pm: Break time
Players are now on a ten-minute break. When they return, they will be at 100-200-25 blinds and antes --BW
2:07pm: Phil Ivey takes his seat at APPT Macau
There really isn't a headline that does this story justice unless I could put it in 72-point font. Phil Ivey just sat down at the APPT Macau main event. It happened here in the waning moments of the second level.
Outfitted in a modest blue shirt and looking the part of your everyday poker player, Ivey walked in without fanfare and sat down in the six seat of a table in the middle of the room.
Anyone who follows poker knows Ivey hasn't been seen at a major poker tournament in more than six months. It's been more than eleven months since he posted a live tournament cash (his last came in December of last year for an 80th place finish on the WPT).
Suffice it to say, this tournament just got a little more interesting. --BW

1:45pm: Chan stopped by kings
While it's hard to gauge early chip counts for a field this large, Victor Chen is one who has improved his stack considerably in the early stages, doubling up with a set against two pair to be the early pace-setter with around 60,000 chips.
Heading in the other direction is 2010 Macau Millions champ Justin Chan who became tangled in a big preflop war with an unknown player in the big blind. We arrived with 14,000 already in the middle following some preflop aggression to see a flop of [ts][2h][7c]. The big blind led out for 3,800 and Chan made the call from under the gun to see the [ac] hit the turn.
Action checked to Chan who bet 9,000. His opponent deliberated and made the call as the [jc] hit the river. After some deep thought from both players, it went check, check as the big blind was relieved to see his [ks][kd] was good as Chan's cards hit the muck.
Chan slips to 10,300. --HC
1:57pm: Macau in moving pictures
If you are new to the world of poker in Macau, you might need a little primer on how things work in this part of the world. I'll put you in the capable hands of Lynn Gilmartin for your tour of Macau. --BW







1:25pm: Bianco bluffing, Steicke slips
As we wandered past the table of Frank Bianco we couldn't help but notice the stack of the Crown Casino Tournament Director had already been sliced in half. "I bluffed it off mate," said Bianco as an interesting hand was developing on his table involving David Steicke.
"He plays every hand!" chirped Bianco as we watched Steicke three-bet to 2,100 from the cutoff following a mid-position open to 600. The action was then with the big blind player who cold four-bet to 4,400. The original raiser folded but Steicke tossed out a call.
The flop came down [2h][3h][8d] and the big blind tossed out a single 5,000-denomination chip which was enough as Steicke surrendered. Steicke sits with just under his starting stack.--HC
1:16pm: Level up
Players are now working with 100-200 blinds. --BW
1:15pm: A few more arrivals
A few late arrivals include Emanuel "Curly" Seal, Ted Wang, Michael Pedley, World Gaming Magazine CEO Andrew Scott, and high-stakes cash game players Nathanael Seet and Julian Powell. --HC
1:12pm: A first look
I've been all over the PokerStars world of poker tours...almost. This is my first time on the APPT. There is a learning curve, to be sure. I'm still figuring my way around town and around the Grand Lisboa. That said, even once I do figure it out, I'm not entirely sure I'll have the words to properly express it. This place is brilliant and completely different than any place I've ever seen. PokerStars Macau is as nice a poker room as you'll find anywhere. The people are friendly. The service is great. It's enough to make an old blogger--for the first time in a while--wish he was sitting and playing instead of taking notes around the room. Nonetheless, APPT Macau looks to have an amazing main event. --BW
On the way in to the PokerStars Macau poker room
12:45pm: Who's here?
It's a massive field here in the PokerStars Macau Poker Room here today for Day 1a of the APPT Macau Main Event with 25 tables at full capacity and we believe there are even a number of alternates standing around waiting for their opportunity.
On our first lap of the room we've spotted a number of notables players with a sprinkling of internationals among the throng of locals. Some of those players include Roger Spets, Brice Renaud, Mishel Anunu, JJ Liu, Mikael Rosen, Gordon Huntly, Frank Bianco, Josh Barrett, Kim Gap Young, Ivan Tan, Tim English, Michael Kanaan, Craig Cockburn, Justin Chan, Kai Paulsen, Mitch Carle, Raemin Alexander, Michael Mariakis, Jie Gao, David Steicke, Haifeng Xue, Jai Kemp and Macau Poker Cup Championships winner Raiden Kan.
At the moment we've only spotted one Team PokerStars Pro in the field with Raymond Wu taking his seat. However due to the deep-stacked structure of this event, many players prefer to avoid the early levels and will likely arrive shortly.
Waiting in the wings for their opportunity as an alternate, we've spotted previous APPT champions Grant Levy and Aaron Benton, as well as WSOP bracelet winner Mark Vos. --HC
12:30pm: Day 1a underway
Well, of couse we're here. What made you think otherwise? After sorting out some internet issues, our live reports for Day 1a are now up and running. The cards have been both shuffled up and dealt. --BW
11:10am: APPT Day 1a set to begin
Greetings from the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino, home of PokerStars Macau and the APPT Macau main event. Day 1a is set to kick off a little after noon. We're looking at a bumper field today. Level 1 will being with 50-100 blinds. To get a look at what we're in for, check out my partner Heath's piece, "The big boys in town for Asia's showcase event."
At this hour, the APPT brass are introducing themselves to the local media. After that, the players will begin making their way to their seats, and we will be underway. --BW

APPT Macau press conference

Live updates form APPT Macau brought to you by Heath "TassieDevil" Chick and Brad Willis



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