All smiles at Asian Poker Tour's inaugural Vietnam event

With a total of 71 buy-ins at the first No Limit Hold Em event, co-organizer Andrew W Scott CEO of World Players Entertainment called it the biggest turnout he had ever seen for a first event in a new venue.  "We are all looking forward to the weekend when some big name players descend on Ho Tram from around the region and the world."

Three events were held on the first day, with Singaporean Jereld Sam taking out the Mega Satellite event, earning himself automatic entry into the Main Event, which starts Saturday.  Meanwhile Mr. Rob Kiss won the Operation Smile Charity event, which generated $6000 for the organization. 

This is the first time that Tour-standard competitive poker has been played in the fast growing south-east Asian nation.

A delighted Shaun McCamley, President of the Ho Tram Resort Casino said: "It was a start to this event that exceeded our expectations, with players from around the region flying in to join in one of the world's most exhilarating sports.  It was a ringing endorsement of the value of this form of tourism for Vietnam and for all that we have on offer in Ho Tram as well as an honor to be able to do it for a cause as worth as Operation Smile.  It's great that we are able to deal these kids a winning hand."

Representative of Operation Smile, Ms. Che Thi Thu Thao thanked the team at Asia's only beach-side integrated resort saying: "This donation will be put to use to restore the smiles of children in southern Vietnam.  We would like to thank all at the Ho Tram Resort Casino for helping to brighten the faces and the lives of all of these lucky children."