Tag Archives: Grand Lisboa

Macau Poker Cup February 2011, Macau Millions this weekend

By ken | Published April 9, 2011

poker chips on the table at the Macau Poker Cup February 2011

I just arrived at the Grand Lisboa Poker Room to shoot the weekend of Macau Millions for PokerStars. I am picking up photography coverage at Day 1G and into Day 2. I was happy to hear that the event has broken through the 1000-player mark, which was not surprising news – just further indication that players in the region love their poker.

Here are some player photos from the Macau Poker Cup in February 2011.

Celina Lin, lovely as usual
poker chip shuffling on hand Celina Lin at the Macau Poker Cup February 2011
Bryan Huang in his zone
Bryan Huang at the Macau Poker Cup February 2011

Posted in events, poker | Also tagged macau, Macau Millions, Macau Poker Cup, poker, Pokerstars Leave a comment

Macau Poker Cup Championship November 2010 wraps up

By ken | Published November 11, 2010

Grand Lisboa poker room during the Macau Poker Cup Championship Nov 2010

I just got back to Hong Kong from Macau, where the Macau Poker Cup Championship (MPCC) at the Grand Lisboa wrapped up over the weekend. There were events throughout the week, including the 6-Handed High Rollers and the invitation-only Tournament of Champions. Amidst all of the action, crucial Asia Player of the Year points were up for grabs as Team Asia Pros Raymond Wu and Bryan Huang raced for leaderboard standings.

I was focused on shooting the main event, which included about 250 players competing over 4 days. Having setup a MacBook and netbook by the bloggers table, I was editing on the fly and uploading player photos to two displays in the poker room.

Hats off again to the PokerStars Macau team for organizing another successful event. You can also see some of my images on the PokerStars blog.

Photographers-a-plenty at the kickoff festivities
DaDa at Macau Poker Cup Championship

Asia Player of the Year, Bryan Huang and Team Pro Raymond Wu signs an autograph
Team PokerStars Pro Raymond Wu signs autographs

Women in full force
Japanese female poker player Celina Lin at the MPCC November 2010

Jeff Lisandro and Joe Hachem

Tony Dunst

PokerStars’ Fred Leung
Fred Leung, PokerStars Macau

Julian Hasse takes down Kelly Flynn at the Main Event Final Table
Julian Hasse and Kelly Flynn at MPCC Main Event Final Table

MPCC PokerStars model

Posted in events, poker | Also tagged Bryan Huang, casino, Celina Lin, events, macau, Macau Poker Cup Championship, MPCC, photography, photoshoot, poker, Pokerstars, Raymond Wu Leave a comment

Macau Poker Cup, July 2010 at Casino Grand Lisboa

By ken | Published July 16, 2010

photo of a reflection overhead view of the PokerStars poker room at the Casino Grand Lisboa

Last week PokerStars Macau held its most successful Macau Poker Cup event to date at the Grand Lisboa poker room. The big story of the event was Japan’s Kenichi Takarabe, the last man standing in the Red Dragon main event. Takarabe overtook Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang of Singapore, who held the chip lead for most of the tournament.

Despite attending several poker events, I still have not managed to pick up the poker addiction. But even as a spectator I could not help but to appreciate the sheer passion for the game shared by all the players. Even the PokerStars Macau team (for the ‘regulars’ of the poker room, you would’ve at some point met Fred, Dom, Danny, and Roberto among others) run the tournament with a professionalism and love for the game that is truly admirable.

Among the players, the friendly competition and mutual respect for each other’s game were awesome to observe. The scene in the room actually reminded me a little bit of the photographer community – just a bunch of people doing what they love.

A spectator watches over the tournament action
photo of a poker fan in the audience of the Macau Poker Cup

Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin taking down a pot
photo of Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin going all-in and taking down the pot

Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang’s most loyal fan
photo of Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang's girlfriend watching him play poker

Red Dragon main event final table: Kenichi Takarabe (Japan) vs. Bryan Huang (Singapore)
photo of Bryan Huang at the Macau Poker Cup Red Dragon main event final table in July 2010

photo of Kenichi Takarabe winning final hand of the MPC Red Dragon main event

photo of Kenichi Takarabe celebrating winning final hand of the MPC Red Dragon main event with Japanese fans

Posted in events, poker | Also tagged Bryan Huang, casino, Celina Lin, events, Kenichi Takarabe, macau, Macau Poker Cup, MPC, photography, photoshoot, poker, Pokerstars 1 Comment

Macau Poker Cup Championship

By ken | Published December 30, 2009

After shooting the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) in Macau a few months ago, I was asked for the Macau Poker Cup Championship at the Grand Lisboa earlier this month. The tournament was not without its fair share of dramatic twists and turns. But one thing was for sure – these dudes love their poker. And so do I. Or, at least I’m starting to like it. I got pretty excited about playing poker after I got back to HK and proceeded to lose all $250K on my zynga poker account on my iPhone. So I won’t be going pro anytime soon.

This was also my first assignment that I was able to shoot with the new Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR2. For the gear heads out there, it is delicious.