The Asian Poker Tour (APT) has decided to up the ante at its next event to be held in Macau, increasing the prize pool to an unprecedented $1.5 million (£750,000).
In an announcement at the Dusit Thani Manila during the last APT tournament, Chris Parker, chief executive officer for the APT, revealed that first prize in the next event will be around $500,000.
This will be the largest first prize ever awarded in an Asian poker event.
Asian poker is on the rise with poker stars such as Nam Le, Mansour Matloubi, Quinn Do and Huck Seed attending the Filipino leg of the tour, despite the fact that the World Series of Poker was on at the same time.
The tournament was won by Australian David Saab who netted the first prize of $280,000.
APT's next event will be held in Macau's StarWorld Hotel and Casino this August and will have a buy-in of $5,300.
The StarWorld Hotel and Casino currently has 260 gaming tables with a number of VIP clubs on the higher floors between 4,000 sq ft and 6,000 sq ft each.
The Asian Poker Tour (APT) has decided to up the ante at its next event to be held in Macau, increasing the prize pool to an unprecedented $1.5 million (£750,000).